I experienced the benefits of herbal essential oil recently when I mixed a few drops of peppermint to a few tablespoons of baby oil for a soak in the tub to relieve an upset tummy. Breathing in the invigorating vapours chased away all queasiness and left me feeling terrific. Baby oil is an inexpensive base for essential oils, however almond or safflower are even better.
Lavender, lemon grass, jasmine and chamomile are a few of the herbs that help to relax tired limbs and racing minds. Nothing works more magic than a perfumed soak in a warm bath after a really tiring or stressful day. Stimulating and reviving herbs include basil, lemon verbena, rosemary, lemon balm and bergamot, in addition to the peppermint.
Essential oils can often be found at your local craft store, health food store or gift shop.
Another way to use herbs in the bath is to crush 2 tablespoons of fresh or dry leaves and tie them in a muslin or cheesecloth bag. You can add equal amounts of oatmeal to help soften the skin.
Wash balls can also be made. These date back to Elizabethan times and were originally made with tallow. You can improve on this base by finely grating two barxs of Castile soap, available at the drug store. Heat three ounces of rose or lavender water and pour it over the soap. Let this stand for about ten minutes.
Mix well and then add rose and lavender essential oils. Leave to harden for two days then make the mixture into small balls, each one about the size of a table tennis ball or slightly smaller, and leave to dry in an airy place. When the wash balls have completely hardened, you can polish them with a cloth moistened with the rest of the rose or lavender water.
Floral vinegars can be made with rose petals, lavender flowers and stalks, scented geranium leaves, lemon balm or lemon verbena leaves and rosemary. To make these place a large handful of flowers or herbs in a glass bottle and fill with cider vinegar. Top with a cork and place in a sunny spot for a couple of weeks. When it’s time to use, pour a generous quantity into the bath with the taps full on.
