Herbs not only have a long list of benefits, but there are also so many ways to enjoy them. Apart from using them as medicine, cooking with them or making herbal tea, you can also use them in the bath!
Herbal baths are often referred to as herbal bath ‘teas’ because the herbs are steeped in water like when making herbal tea. They are great for both relaxation and medicinal reasons.
Here’s an overview of what goes into a herbal bath tea and how to make your own.
What Goes in a Herbal Bath Tea
Just like a herbal tea, the main components are a combination of herbs, plants and flowers. The only difference being that they go in your bath instead of a cup of tea to drink.
When preparing the bath, consider the smells or effects from the herbs you choose. These can help make a bath that targets a specific need or ailment.
For example, you might want a herb that promotes relaxation to help you sleep. Or you might need something that provides good stress relief at the end of a long day.
Herbal bath teas are not always strictly herbal. Any plants, spices or flowers that have medicinal or aromatic properties can be added.
Here is a starting list of some herbs and plants you can use:
- Chamomile
- Rose petals
- Calendula
- Lavender
- Passionflower
- Peppermint
- Lemonbalm
- Ginger root
- Holy basil
How To Make A Herbal Bath Tea
The good news is that making a herbal bath tea is very simple.
First you need to gather your herbs/plants/flowers etc. As for regular tea, they can be fresh or dried.
The tea mix needs to be put into something that will allow it to infuse in the bath.
One option is a muslin ‘tea’ bag that can be added to a hot bath, just like if you were making a cup of hot tea.
To make these bags, cut the muslin material to the right size, then sew 3 of the edges together. Once the bag is made, place your combined herbs inside, close it up and tie off with a string.
When deciding on how much to fill it, keep in mind that wet herbs will be in the bag. You don’t want to weigh it down too much, or it might open. Also, the wet herbs will expand so make sure to leave room for this.
To use your muslin bag hang the bag over the faucet while the bath is running and during your bath. This way, you should be able to use it 2-3 times before disposing of it and switching to a new bag.
Herbal bath teas are a great way to enjoy the medicinal and aromatic properties of herbs.
Now you know how to make them, try different herb combinations and have fun experimenting. You will soon have some great options that work best for you!
