Blissful Botanical Baths

Elevate your bathing ritual from ordinary to Cleopatra-like, goddess level indulgence with my tips for wellness-enhancing botanical baths.

If you prefer natural products, free from chemicals and synthetic perfumes, then herbal baths are for you. The fun part is in the preparation- selecting your herbs, oils and salts to create the perfect spa experience in the comfort of your own home.

How to Create Heavenly Herb-filled Baths

Herbal Baths

Firstly choose the dried herbs that most suit your needs. Here are some suggestions-

• Lavender- these gorgeous, fragrant flowers create a soothing bath, ideal before bed-time to ease the stresses of the day and aid peaceful sleep.

• Rose- beautiful rose petals are ultra indulgent and sensual. Considered an aphrodisiac and uplifting to mood.

• Marigold- these pretty orange flowers are packed with health benefits. They are a great detoxifier and skin purifying herb.

• Oats- one of the qualities of this superfood herb is that it’s very nourishing to the skin. Oat baths are recommended for dry skin conditions like eczema as they lock in moisture.

• Jasmine- this beautiful flower will fill your bathroom with its sensual and exotic perfume.

Jasmine Flowers

Once you’ve got your lovely dried herbs you can either use them individually or create a mix – be as experimental as you like.

The process of drawing out the unique properties of each herb is called infusing. Simply running hot water through the herbs will release aroma, colour and phytochemicals (or plant chemicals) into the water. You could make your own bath ‘tea bag’ by using muslin cloth and tying with ribbon or purchase a mesh tea ball that can be used over and over again.

Another way to transfer those wonderful botanical properties would be to infuse the dried herbs in a carrier oil. Choose a wide necked jar, place dried herbs inside and cover with chosen carrier oil ( I use grapeseed). Leave to infuse in a dark and cool place for 2-3 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain and bottle.

You could simply make a herbal infusion as you would a tea, use a pan for larger amounts, strain and add to your bath.

Take the experience a step further by

• Bath Salts- either sea salt or Epsom salts to detoxify and revive aching muscles

• Cider Vinegar – apparently a favourite of Naomi Campbell, infuse your herbs in cider vinegar for healthier skin.

• Essential Oils- concentrated health benefits and divine fragrance.