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Ancient Healing Power of the Bath

A bath is one of the easiest ways of taking a few moments for yourself after a hectic day, even if only for 15 minutes. Not only is it an enjoyable way to cleanse while reducing tension, it can be fine-tuned to be a detoxification soak or provide specific health enhancements, according to your selection of bath additions.

Aiding Lymphatic Drainage and Fighting Infection

For influencing the lymphatic system, baking soda and Epsom are used in fairly high quantities. Generally, one pound of each is recommended for addressing a particular condition and this can gradually be increased to as much as three pounds each! For most of us, however, using 1 to 1 ½ cups of Epsom salt with ½ cup baking soda, provides the effect we are after without causing skin irritation.

Epsom salt is said to be a “natural anti-inflammatory”. This long-time remedy is useful for everything from aching limbs and back pain to healing cuts, muscle strain, over-activity, colds and congestion, or soreness from childbirth. The magnesium sulfate of Epsom salt acts as a muscle relaxant, induces perspiration and is available for uptake by skin absorption. Magnesium has many important roles in our metabolism. Because Epsom salt draws out and induces prespiration, it is important to rehydrate your body by drinking water after an Epsom soak.

For healing purposes, including infections or skin sores, Epsom salt can be combined with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide (but, never combine baking soda with peroxide at the same time). For infections, a higher quantity of peroxide could be added, up to one 16-oz bottle, which can be purchased at a pharmacy.

Tip: Have a glass of water nearby to sip for replacing lost fluids. A cool towel around your neck adds comfort and is a “must” for anyone having a heart condition, in a weakened state, over age 55, as well as moderating temperature and soaking for a shorter duration. Some prefer to shower the salt off when finished. This bath is not advised for pregnancy unless moderated and approved by your doctor.

Epsom soaks are excellent to draw out lactic acid waste that causes tender muscles after extensive exercise or deeper massage treatments.

Caution: Pregnant women would not take overly warm baths or more than ½ cup Epsom until completion of the third month, or as advised by their doctor. Always use a bathmat for safety.

Salt Scrubs:  this easy exfoliation scrub is purifying while it also leaves your skin satiny-smooth. It is best done with either fine-grain table salt or sea salt. Mix the salt with a very small amount of water to make a thick paste or simply have the salt ready to dip wet hands into after wetting your body in the shower.

The rubbing motion of your salted hands exfoliates top layers of dead skin. This mix will leave your skin soft and refreshed with a hint of oil that is the natural oil of your skin surfacing when finished. 

It is not necessary to add oil to the salt paste, as oil serves to coat your skin with a protective barrier, resulting in less penetration of the salt mixture. Addition of an oil also leaves an oily film that hides your natural skin oil. The salt scrub is great to use at least seasonally or whenever going out for a special occasion when you’d like your skin glowing. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Bath: 1 cup or 1 ½ cups of natural apple cider vinegar from a health food store, not the grocery store, provides a bath to balance your pH level. This is also anti-fungal, very purifying and healing for skin. There is no residual smell of vinegar after your bath. It also makes an excellent rinse for hair or you can soak under the water for hair and ear cleansing as well. One of my favourite baths! Also excellent for anyone with toenail fungus, including nightly foot baths.

Chamomile Bath: steep a number of chamomile tea bags and add to the tub for skin irritations, if the dried herb is not available. Or, 4 – 6 drops of the essential oil may also be added just before tub entry.

Colds and Flu mix: 4 drops Eucalyptus, 2 -3 drops of Thyme and 5 to 6 slices of fresh ginger root . Soak with the essential oils on their own, or

Steep and mix into 1 cup of Epsom Salt. If using essential oils, add to the water as you are ready to get into the tub as they evaporate from the hot water. Benefit is largely from inhalation with essential oils.

Milk bath Salt soak: 1 cup Epsom salt, 3 oz. Powdered milk, 3 oz. Baking soda, 2 oz .fine sea salt, 2 oz., 1 ½ tsp. Glycerin, one-half tsp essential oil.

Herbal baths: place dried herbs in cheesecloth and steep in a bowl of boiled water while preparing your bath, then pour into the tub. Or steep, covered in a bowl, and use a sieve to pour into the tub when ready. Many health food stores sell dried herbs.

Stress relief: Mix equal parts of dried herbs Kava Kava, Lemon Balm & Chamomile for a total of ½ to ¾ cup of herb mixture.

Insomnia Milk Bath: 4 drops lavender or lavadin oil, 3 drops of one of Sweet marjoram, Melissa (lemon balm), Juniper Berry or Orange Essential oil, and 1 cup of powdered milk. Pour oils into a small bowl and mix when ready to get into tub. Stir in one cup powdered milk. Add to bath, with 1- 2 teaspoons of almond oil, if desired for dry skin. (almond oil will stay on the skin as slightly oily.)

Sinus Headache Bath:  1 cup Epsom salt, 1/2 cup peppermint or spearment leaves or 3 drops lavendar oil and 1 drop spearmint, which is milder than peppermint)

Water has been a valuable therapeutic aid as far back as recorded history. Ancient Vedic literature in India has many references to the use of water in treatment of disease. Modern history saw therapeutic use of water with the famous Roman Baths, Father Sebastian Kneipp, and Vincent Priessnitz, to name a few.