Did you know that a nice warm bath has many positive effects on both our mental well-being and health?! In addition, if we enrich it with suitably selected aromatic herbs, the effect increases and we can help ourselves, for example, with stress tension relief, overworked muscles, colds or irritated skin. Did you know that the first historical record of herbal baths, i.e. the combination of the element of water and the healing power of herbs, was found in ancient Indian Vedic texts of 1500 BC?! You can easily prepare such an aromatic bath in the comfort of your own home. We know how to do it;-)
Water as a gift from the gods
Water, however, was worshipped by all ancient civilizations. It was regarded as a gift of the gods, by which life could be sustained but also taken away. Raindrops were seen in many cultures as divine seeds that fertilised the earth. Across cultures, various rituals associated with water are seen, with “purification” as a linking element. The first historical record of herbal bathing, a combination of the element of water and the healing power of herbs, was found in ancient Indian Vedic texts of 1500 BC. The origins of ‘healing baths’ can be found mainly in ancient Egypt. The ancient Greeks, who were of course inspired by Egypt, also believed in the therapeutic power of herbal baths. And from there, their tradition was passed on.
The Roman view of cleanliness
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, proposed hydropathy as an effective form that was part of medicine. He proved this with his numerous experiences with healing both the body and the soul. The ancient Roman Empire was famous for its relationship to water and cleanliness, which was reflected in the construction of baths and viaducts that brought water to these places. The teachings of Hippocrates were continued by the Roman scholars Galen and Discorides. This is how herbal baths spread all over the world. Herbs such as rose, laurel, chamomile, oats, rosemary, lemon balm, pine, basil or juniper are mentioned in their connection.
The Dark Ages
During the Middle Ages, personal hygiene was not very popular. Unpleasant odours were rather masked with various herbs and scents. Thus, references to baths are rather exceptional. In the 14th century, for example, the so-called ‘Hungarian water’ began to appear. It was created by distilling grape brandy with sprigs of rosemary and was added to aristocratic baths. From the same century, but from a different part of Europe, comes the so-called ‘Carmelite water’, which was compiled by Carmelite monks for the French King Charles V. Its main ingredient was lemon balm and alcohol, and over the centuries lemon peel, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg were also added. During the Crusades, Europe was faced with a large number of returning warriors who were plagued by various diseases. For their needs, the forerunners of today’s health spas were created, where they were brought back to life with the help of herbs and hot springs.
Confirmed by science
It has been scientifically confirmed that immersing the body in an acceptably warm bath has many positive effects. These include: reduction of stress and anxiety, pain relief (just mention bath births), reduction of inflammation, support of muscle relaxation, support of immunity, support of lung function or support of the cardiovascular system. In addition, a warm bath helps to open the pores and sweat, which is an important element of the metabolism in our body, or the password to remove toxins from the body!
Herbs rich in essential substances
Plants that are rich in essential substances are used for the herbal bath. As we know from other scientific evidence, ethereal components have wide-ranging effects. The most studied property is antibacterial, then anti-inflammatory, regenerative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic and, of course, promoting good mood. It is therefore no coincidence that herbs such as Roman chamomile and true chamomile, rose, rosemary, mint and lavender are a popular part of aromatic relaxation baths.
Practical tips for baths
Herbal Infusion
You can prepare an infusion from the mentioned herbs. Pour approx. 30g of dried herbs with 500ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. Then drain. You can keep the finished pickle in the fridge for max. 24 hours.
Flower waters or hydrosols
The second option is to add 2-4 tablespoons of 100% hydolate or flower water to the bath. These are much stronger than infusions and will last you 18-24 months. Canadian scientist and aromatherapist S. Catty calls them “herbal espressos” because of their intensity.
Essential oils
The third variant is the use of herbal macerates or vegetable oils in which 100% essential oils are mixed. We have to be extra careful here. First, we must be sure that we have chosen a 100% essential oil and not a fragrance oil to avoid an unpleasant reaction on the skin. And of course it is important to mix a few drops of essential oil with vegetable oil. Essential oils are not soluble in water, so they would only float on the surface of the water and a large dose of them would reach a small part of the body, which could result in irritation again. It is therefore ideal to mix 3-5 drops of a non-irritating essential oil such as lavender, geranium, frankincense, clary sage in 1 teaspoon of your favorite vegetable oil and pour this mixture into a stream of water.
Ideas for herbal baths
A bath for a good night’s sleep
1 tablespoon of lavender flower water
1 tablespoon of Roman chamomile flower water
1 tablespoon of flower water linden flower
A relaxing bath with the scent of flowers
2 tablespoons of rose flower water
1 tablespoon neroli flower water (orange blossom)
A relaxing bath with the smell of onions
1 tablespoon of lemon balm flower water
1 tablespoon of chamomile flower water
A relaxing bath for mind and muscles
2 tablespoons of elderflower water
1 tablespoon chamomile flower water (Roman or true)
Bath for a cold and stuffy nose
2-3 spoons of pine hydrolat
Nourishing bath
1 tablespoon of lavender water
1 tablespoon of calendula flower water
1/3 cup of oat milk or you can put 2 tablespoons of oatmeal in a muslin bag and put it in the bath
Women’s invigorating bath 1
1 tablespoon of yarrow flower water
1 tablespoon of rock rose flower water
Relaxing female bath
1 tablespoon lavender flower water
1 tablespoon of water of vitex or clary sage
Bath for sore and strained back
1-2 tablespoons of St. John’s wort flower water
1 tablespoon of chamomile flower water
Bath after overexertion of muscles
2 tablespoons wormwood flower water
Exotic stimulating bath
2 tablespoons jasmine or ylang flower water or frangipani or vanilla flower water
Golden bath
1-2 teaspoons of almond oil or apricot oil
2 drops of lavender essential oil
1 drop of Roman chamomile essential oil
Royal bath
1-2 teaspoons of cherry oil
2 drops of Myrrh essential oil
1 drop of frankincense essential oil
1 drop of clary sage essential oil
Mix in 1/2 cup milk (can also be plant-based)
Now you definitely know how to take herbal baths and you also know what to watch out for. Enjoy your evening rituals and don’t hesitate to get inspired by our previous articles. For example, about “Queen Berenik’s pink bath” . Buy the aforementioned fragrant components at our e-shop , where we have the widest selection of the highest quality flower waters on the Czech and Slovak market and not only that… you can see for yourself!
Sources
S. Catty – Hydrosols The Next Aromatherapy, Healing Art Press, 2001
Lydia Bosson – Hydrosol Therapy, 2019.
Len and Shirley Price – Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy, 2004.
Amy Kreydin – Aromatic Waters: Therapeutic, Cosmetic, and Culinary Hydrosol Applications, 2017
