By Eri-EL Morningstar
The waters of life sustain us, nurture us, heal us when need be, we must only ask for this to be, and it is so. I've written up a few of my relaxing, healing and transformational baths here to share with all of you. Remember that is you take a bath or soak for healing purposes, to honor the water Spirits that are blessing you with healing and renewal. Remember as you pass over water in your travels to honor the water, for it gives us life. Honoring is a way of balancing the gifts that are given to us through nature.... The individual herbs that are in the baths also have a Spirit and essence, and so remember to honor their gifts of healing as well. When you walk in harmony with All That Is, you are blessed with balance and health in your own life.
In most cases, I've tried to use items/herbs that can be found around the home and are inexpensive. Enjoy your baths!
Even though we are beautiful, radiant, Soul's of Light, sometimes we just don't feel quite up to par. Perhaps we have had a "bad hair" MONTH, or we are starting to feel down on ourselves for circumstances beyond our control. It is these times when a little lift from the Universe is so much appreciated. Here are a few easy bath mixes that assist in self-love and nurturing the heart and Spirit.
A few helpful suggestions:
When using rose petals or other fresh or dried flower petals remember to clean out the petals as soon as you drain the tub... I left some rose petals in my tub overnight once, and the red stains never did come out.
For a GREAT makeshift "tea bag" that you can stuff with all kinds of herbs and so forth, dig into that old sock box, (You know, the one with all the mismatched socks that have no mates) and put the herbs down in the toe, and tie it off. Cut off the excess and Voila! Instant bath "tea bag"!
Most herbal "bags" can be used at least twice, just hang them up to dry after your bath. I have gotten three uses out of some of the stronger herbs like rose and lavender.
Remember that "mood matters"... dim the lights, light some candles, this is a healing bath, not your ordinalry run-of-the-mill-shower.
Try to submerge as much of your body as possible... slide down in the tub, or put a towel soaked in the hot water on your chest or around your shoulders if your tub is small.
Don't fall asleep! If you are very tired before the bath, ask a family member to knock on your door after a certain time to make sure you are awake. It is not healing to fall asleep in the tub and swallow water!
If you are pregnant, it is not a good idea to sit in a hot tub and raise you body temperature too much, you should talk to your doctor or midwife first.
Lastly the disclaimer: None of these herbal baths are intended as medical advice, if you have a medical problem, I reccomend seeing a health care professional of your choice, and making sure a warm bath will not aggrevate any medical conditions or allergies you might have. Use your common sense here.
To a hot bath add:
1 cup of Milk
A handful of Rose petals or several drops of Rose essential Oil
12 Cloves that have been steeped on the stove in hot water to release the oils
(don't use more cloves than about 12, as they can irritate sensitive skin)
a few drops of Lavender Oil, or some lavender flowers/herb in a "tea bag"
As you soak, talk to the herbs and waters, ask for tranquility and relaxation, and remember to thank the waters and herbs for the blessings.
Bath of Love
To a hot bath add:
A few drops of Rose essential oil, or handful of rose petals
1/2 cup of Witch Hazel (available in pharmacies for about .75 cents a bottle
A "tea bag" containing:
Rosemary leaves, dried or fresh
A couple of sage leaves, dried or fresh
Pumpkin Pie Spice (a few cloves will do if you are out of Pumpkin spice)
A rose quartz stone
Chamomile herb or tea
1/4 cup of honey
Healing Bath for Colds/Flu
To a steamy bath, (yet not so hot as to be uncomfortable) add:
Several drops of Tea Tree Oil essential oil
Several drops of Eucalyptus essential oil
a "tea bag" containing:
Echineacea Herb
Chamomile herb (for relaxation)
Lavender Herb/flowers(or you may also want to use a few drops of lavender essential oil instead)
This bath works both through the steam of the Eucalyptus clearing the sinus and chest, and the lavender/chamomile for relaxation to help you in resting so that your body may naturally fight the infection. The tea tree oil is anti-bacterial and anti-virule, so it helps by eliminating any virus or bacteria on the skin that may be re-infecting you with the cold or flu. Of course, this is just a suggestion for releif, not any kind of doctors advice or prescription... I reccomend seeing a health care professional when you are ill. But a nice warm bath can't hurt, as long as your doctor/health care advisor give you the ok.
Beauty Bath
This bath is for the benefit of your skin and emotional health...
To a nice warm bath add:
A cup of milk
A cup of honey
A 1/2 cup of Sea Salts or Epsom Salts
Your choice of a few drops of lavender, rose, or another flower of your choice essential oils, (try to choose flowers with a "feminine essence)
1/4 cup of Witch Hazel
a "tea bag" sock filled with:
Handful of Oatmeal/Oats
Squirt of Aloe Vera gel (pure and natural, please, or else an Aloe Vera branch)
This bath is best taken during a waxing moon phase, with the intent to illuminate your natural beauty, and allow your skin and body to shine with the glow of your Spirit. It has properties of being exfoliating, so I usually take it just once a month. This recipe is similar to one used by Cleopatra.
For Mild Sunburn
If you have a severe sunburn , you should ALWAYS see a health care professional, sunburns can be very deceptive, and get worse 24 hours AFTER you are in the sun... so use common sense here, as usual.
I used to live in the Virgin Islands, and have used this bath on several occasions to sooth mild sunburns and help prevent peeling:
To a LUKEWARM/COOL bath add a "tea bag" sock FILLED with Oatmeal
Several Drops of Tea Tree Oil
Soak the sunburned area for as long as it is comfortable. The oatmeal really sooths and moisturizes the skin, and the tea tree is anti-bacterial/infective
After you get out of the tub, while the skin is still damp, apply Aloe Vera Gel liberally.
Again, let me stress that if you have a bad sunburn, seek medical attention. While living in the islands, and working as a lifeguard, I have seen many people with sun poisoning, and it's not fun. This cooling bath is designed for mild sunburns, If you have a lot of redness, swelling, or feel dizzy or ill or have chills, you shouldnt be taking a bath, you should be calling a health care professional! (ok, enough said on that!)
I'll be adding more recipes as I get a chance, but these should get you started!