Did you know that a pleasantly warm bath has many positive effects on both our psychological well-being and health?! If we enrich it with appropriately selected aromatic herbs, the effect increases and we can help ourselves, for example, with the release of stress, strained 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 from 1500 BC?! You can easily prepare such an aromatic bath in the comfort of your home. We know how to do it ;-)
Water as a gift from the gods
Water was, however, revered by all ancient civilizations. It was considered a gift from the gods, from which life could be sustained but also taken away. Raindrops were seen in many cultures as divine seeds that fertilize the earth. Various rituals associated with water can be seen across cultures, the unifying element of which is “purification”. 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 the ancient Indian Vedic texts of 1500 BC. The origins of “healing baths” can be found mainly in ancient Egypt. The ancient Greeks also believed in the therapeutic power of herbal baths, who were of course inspired by Egypt. And from there their tradition was passed on.
The Roman view of purity
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 with water and purity, 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. Herbal baths thus spread throughout the world. In connection with them, the following herbs are mentioned in particular: rose, laurel, chamomile, oats, rosemary, lemon balm, pine, basil and juniper.
Dark Ages
In the Middle Ages, personal hygiene was not very popular. Unpleasant odors were masked with various herbs and fragrances. References to baths are therefore rather the exception. For example, in the 14th century, the so-called “Hungarian water” began to appear. It was created by distilling grape brandy with rosemary sprigs and was added to aristocratic baths. From the same century, but in a different part of Europe, comes the so-called “Carmelite water”, which was prepared by Carmelite monks for the French King Charles V. Its main ingredient was lemon balm with alcohol, and over the centuries lemon peel, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg were also added to it. During the Crusades, Europe was faced with a large number of returning warriors who were suffering from various diseases. For their needs, one could say, the predecessors of today's medical 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 a comfortably warm bath has many positive effects. These include: reducing stress and anxiety, pain relief (just mention bath births), reducing inflammation, promoting muscle relaxation, supporting immunity, supporting lung function and supporting the cardiovascular system. In addition, a warm bath helps open pores and sweat, which is an important element of metabolism in our body, or the password toxins out of the body!
Herbs rich in essential substances
For herbal baths, plants that are rich in essential oils are used. As we know from other scientific evidence, essential oils have a wide range of effects. The most studied property is antibacterial, followed by anti-inflammatory, regenerative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic and, of course, mood-enhancing. It is therefore no coincidence that herbs such as Roman chamomile and chamomile, rose, rosemary, mint and lavender are popular components of aromatic relaxation baths.
Practical bath tips
Infusion of dried herbs
You can prepare an infusion from the above herbs. Pour about 30g of dried herbs with 500ml of boiling water and let it steep for 20 minutes. Then strain. You can store the finished infusion in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Floral waters or hydrolates
Another option is to add 2-4 tablespoons of 100% hydrolate, or flower water, to your 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 option is to use herbal macerates or vegetable oils mixed with 100% essential oils. Here we must be extra careful. First of all, we must be sure that we have chosen 100% essential oil and not fragrance oil, in order 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 water-soluble, so they would just float on the surface of the water and a large dose would get on a small part of the body, which could result in irritation again. The ideal is therefore 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 the stream of water.
Herbal Bath Ideas
A bath for a good night's sleep
1 tablespoons lavender floral water
1 tablespoons Roman chamomile floral waters
1 tablespoons floral waters linden blossom
Relaxing bath with the scent of flowers
2 tablespoons rose flower water
1 tablespoons neroli floral waters (orange blossom)
Relaxing bath with the scent of bows
1 tablespoons lemon balm floral water
1 tablespoons chamomile flower water
A relaxing bath for the mind and muscles
2 tablespoons elderflower water
1 tablespoons chamomile flower water (Roman or true)
Bath for colds and stuffy nose
2-3 tablespoons pine hydrolate
Nourishing bath
1 tablespoon lavender water
1 tablespoons calendula flower water
1/3 cup oat milk or you can put 2 tablespoons of oatmeal in a muslin bag and add it to the bath
Strengthening women's bath 1
1 tablespoons yarrow flower water
1 tablespoons rock rose floral waters
Relaxing women's bath
1 tablespoons lavender floral waters
1 tablespoon of flower water drum or clary sage
Bath for sore and strained backs
1-2 tablespoons St. John's wort floral waters
1 tablespoon chamomile flower water
Bath after excessive muscle strain
2 tablespoons mugwort flower water
Exotic stimulating bath
2 tablespoons jasmine whether ylang-ylang floral waters or floral waters frangipani whether vanilla
Golden bath
1-2 teaspoons almond oil or apricot oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop Roman chamomile essential oil
Royal Bath
1-2 teaspoons cherry oil
2 drops of essential oil Myrrh
1 drops of essential oil frankincense
1 drop of essential oil Clary Sage
Mix in 1/2 cup milk (can also be plant-based)
Now you probably know how to take herbal baths and what to look out for. Enjoy your evening rituals and don't hesitate to get inspired by our previous articles. For example, about “Roses bathed Queen Berenice”Buy the mentioned fragrant components on our e-shop, where we have the widest range of the highest quality floral waters on the Czech and Slovak market and not only that... see for yourself!
Resources
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 Application, 2017
