THE BATH, WATER AND BATHING STUFF
Compiled by Jeanne Rose – 2002-2018
Synopsis ~ All about bath and the brushes and scrubbing items one needs to use in a bath, for complete exfoliation, stimulation and cleansing. Essential oil and herbal recipes for bathing and making your own home aromatherapy spa.
“The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.” ― Isak Dinesen
INTRODUCTION ~ Of all the ways that lovers of essential oils can actually use these special products and find some healthful release for their stress and pain — is in the bath. The bath with water is where we humans can go back to the source, water, which is what we are made of. We can renew ourselves with water because it re-creates what happened in the womb — by using pure waters/hydrosols/mineral waters to surround us in the bath. Baths Detoxify, Purify, Rebuild, Rejuvenate, Relax, Restore and Revive our overworked body and mind. Use a shower to cleanse but a bath to relax and heal the mind.
Use water of all types for health and the preservation of healthy skin and for treating disease. Use herbs in the bath and see for the many combinations that you can use in bathing. Use Rosemary herb and Seaweeds as they have proven to be antiaging. Occasionally go to the local hot springs or mineral springs as this type of bathing increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, bringing improved nourishment to vital organs and tissues.
Use Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) crystals in the bathtub and the soaking has shown to raise magnesium levels in the body since both magnesium and sulfates are easily absorbed through the skin while bathing. These are needed for the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of medicines and environmental contaminants.
Be spare with your use of essential oils in the water, save them for an after-bath rubdown. The EO will last longer, be kinder to the environment and also not just be flushed down the drain.
SPA – SALVE PER AQUA (HEALTH THROUGH WATER)
All creatures great and small go to SPA’s or into water to be restored. The importance of essential oils and hydrosols is not that they occur in products or product making or in the SPA, but they are used directly and are the foundations of this work, using water, herbalism and essential oil therapy to revive and restore one’s personal nature and well-being. Our/your key words for bath and bathing:
Detoxify
Purify
Rebuild
Recreate what happens in the womb via pure water/hydrosols/mineral water baths
Rejuvenate
Relax
Restore
Revive
All creatures great and small go to SPAs or into water to be restored. Find out how to go about creating the perfect environment, either in your home or as a business. Learn the tools, essential oils and creative formulas that you can make.
Epsom Salts – photo by JeanneRose
CREATING YOUR OWN AROMATHERAPY SPA
WITH a quiet moment, a few herbs and essential oils, some luscious hydrosols and simple items found in your kitchen, bath, and closet and around your home, you too can create a relaxing, reviving, personalized spa experience that is truly therapeutic.
Creativity!
Bathe your Way to Health
This booklet was written to accompany the SPA class that I gave yearly for 20 years,
I updated it regularly and it is still available at /books.html
HERBS
Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey, Geranium, Lavender, Peppermint, Roses, Rosemary, Sage, Seaweed and Witch Hazel; anything else you can think of.
OTHER PLANT MATERIALS that are considered herbs
Oatmeal, bran, Wheat Germ, honey, egg yolk, Papaya, Mango, Avocado peels and pits, Corn meal, silk powder.
ESSENTIAL OILS & HYDROSOLS
The Aromatherapy Book, Applications & Inhalations is the book to read. Try the same essential oils as the herbs that you have chosen. Add Ylang-Ylang, Grapefruit, Neroli and Lavender to the bath or as a rubdown. Use hydrosols of Lavender, Geranium, Melissa and Rosemary in your bath for skin health and well-being.
SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT
Whirlpool attachment to the tub, shower massager, heavy linen sheets torn into strips that are 2 feet wide by 6-8 feet long for cellulite compresses using hydrosols, facial steamer, NETI pot, inhalator.
Tea Ball as an Herbal Bath Infuser ~ photo JeanneRose
BATHS – See individual listings in the “SPA Book” for different baths. A simple bath is the infused herbs of any fresh ones that you have available with 10 drops complimentary essential oils. i.e. Use a Citrus peels infusion (eat the fruit first) plus citrus and Patchouli [1 drop each Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, 3 of Neroli + 4 drops Patchouli].
Herbal Baths are great for the skin and healthy for mind and body. Add 4 oz of your choice of herbs to 2 quarts of water. Bring to a boil, turn off the heat, cover and let cool enough to use. Pour directly into the bathtub through a strainer. Keep the herbs as a mulch for the garden. You can choose soothing herbs such as Rose petals, astringent herbs such as Witch Hazel, tonifying herbs such as any of the citrus peels, and healing herbs such as Comfrey root or Marshmallow root. Essential oils can also be added after the bath as a rubdown, about 5-10 drops are plenty.
DEEP SPA BATHS or HOME BATHING with Hydrosols – Hydrosols in the bath water will keep your skin young and beautiful looking. They are anti-aging. Run a deep bath. Add herbs or not, add 4 oz of any hydrosol, add milk, add anything. Soak for at least 20 minutes. Try to air dry. Then dress. Here are some hydrosols to use and what they can be used for —
Lavender Hydrosol is gentle, balancing, a toner, anti-inflammatory, cooling to the skin, hydrating and great for all skin types, especially oily and sensitive skin.
Lemon Balm Hydrosol is anti-viral and can be used for herpes or as an antifungal. Use it in the bath, the foot bath for athletes’ foot or for a child’s bath. One ounce in a child’s bath is plenty.
Rose Geranium Hydrosol is the consummate bathing hydrosol. It smells good and regenerates the skin while its herbal qualities ‘balances’ the oil glands. It is good for dry skin, men love it in the bath and it even is good for bathing dogs.
Rosemary Hydrosol is the anti-aging hydrosol. Drink it, bathe in it, use the herb, use the hydrosol, use the essential oil and use all combinations of these for a variety of herbal/aromatic anti-aging delights. If you use it to wash your hair, it makes the hair so strong that it will be difficult to color or perm.
Witch Hazel Hydrosol is astringent, has little to no odor and heals all sorts of skin problems.
HYDROSOL SPRAY/TONIC DRINKS/HYDROSOL BATH – Hydrosols: These are the natural products of specialized distillation. They contain all the natural plant-based properties and nutrients as well as the small therapeutic micro-drops of essential oil. Hydrosols are mildly acidic, about 5.5 which is the same pH as the skin. [if the pH is more than this, then you bought water and it isn’t a true hydrosol] Hydrosols can be used as facial sprays, in all your water-based products, in drinking waters as a tonic, in baths, compresses, poultices, creams, lotions, foot baths, foods, etc. Just add them to everything, one tablespoon to drinks and up to 4 ounces to the bath, although I often use more than that.
SCRUBBING CLOTH, Brushes and Bathing Tools & what they are made of
Exfoliation is the key to young- and healthy-looking skin. It allows your skin to perform important functions like absorbing nutrients and releasing toxins. When gently exfoliating, you are encouraging circulation and skin cell renewal. Use any of these natural plant fibers to exfoliate and cleanse your skin. Now take a look at all the wonderful natural items that are available.
Agave (see Sisal, see Ayate) A washcloth made of the Maguey Cactus and is the same as the Ayate which is a fiber woven cloth that comes from the Maguey (Agave (var. species names) salmiana). … It is a productive fiber has been used in the “Valle Del Mazquital” located in the central part of Mexico where more than four hundred thousand people live. Ayate has been known for its durability, natural origins and usefulness to natives but slowly is turning into an international sensation. Maguey is used in Mexico as a resource that provides natives over 100 different products of which include clothing, food, medicine, firewood, furniture, and soap. The importance of the Maguey has prevailed through time and has become a dominant source of income for these natives. Once the Maguey is at a mature state, which can take up to ten years, the Ayate fiber then can be extracted along with other resources the Maguey is used for. The process of making Ayate is extravagant, labor-intensive and can take up to two to four days to complete. Some skin care companies’ main purpose is to represent indigenous countries by purchasing native products and distributing these products which protects native industry as well as the people.
Today, Ayate is used as all-safe mildew resistant exfoliation device for the skin, designed to last up to about a year. Currently there is a market for up to 3000 abates (one square foot) per month on the West Coast of the United States alone.
BRISTLE BRUSH or a Bamboo BRUSH (various species) – Can be a hairbrush or used in fine body, nail and bath brushes. The bristle is a stiff, thorny hair from swine in natural-bristle brushes. The wild boar (Sus scrofa), or colloquially simply called the boar, is a species of a pig in the biological family Suidae and the wild ancestor of the wild boar. It is native across much of Central Europe, the Mediterranean Region (including North Africa’s Atlas Mountains) and much of Asia as far south as Indonesia, and has been introduced elsewhere. Although common in France, the wild boar became extinct in Great Britain and Ireland by the 17th century, but wild breeding populations have recently returned in some areas, particularly the Weald, following escapes from boar farms.
Nail Brush is a wonderful addition to your bathing accoutrements. This is the one that I like to use – a bristle nail brush by Kent and made in England.
The hair of the boar is also used for the production of the toothbrush, that is, until the invention of synthetic materials in the 30s. The hair for the bristles usually comes from the neck area of the boar. While such brushes were once very popular because the bristles were soft, this was not the best material for oral hydiene as the hairs are slow to dry and usually retain bacteria. Today’s toothbrushes are made with plastic bristles.
Boar hair is used in the manufacture of boar-bristle hairbrushes, which are considered to be gentler on hair—and much more expensive—than common plastic-bristle hairbrushes. Boar bristles are easier on hair than cheapie plastic brushes and they redistribute oils throughout hair, boosting shine. Also, among quality shaving brushes, bristles are exclusively made with animal fibers, the cheaper models use boar bristles, while badger hair is used in much more expensive models of shaving brushes.
“Boar hair is used in the manufacture of paintbrushes, especially those used for oil painting. Boar bristle paintbrushes are stiff enough to spread thick paint well, and the naturally split or “flagged” tip of the untrimmed bristle helps hold more paint.”
ESTROPAJO simply means scrubbing cloth but in Mexico refers to the SEA SPONGE that is used for scrubbing. The sea sponge is harvested by cutting off the top part and leaving behind the base so that the sponge can regrow. Sea sponges, or Porifera, are colorful, simple-celled, filter feeding animals. They are not plants and they grow in every ocean in the world. They survive pollution where other sea creatures can’t. This is because they have the ability to regenerate into a new life from even the tiniest fragments of another. Baby sponges resemble plankton and after a few days of free floating, will attach themselves to a hard surface and begin to grow. They have a nice feel when used in the bath for cleaning the skin.
HEMP SCRUB CLOTH (Cannabis sativa) – Being naturally anti-bacterial and mold and mildew resistant, hemp is the perfect fiber for heavy duty kitchen and bathroom work. Use these hand knitted cloths to scrub pots, bathroom walls, floors, and outdoor furniture. Simply throw them in the wash with the rest of your laundry and hang out to dry. Instead of throwing your synthetic or other similar stinky scrub cloths in the trash, use hemp or other natural fabric. These are not sponging, they are scrubbing cloth, and they exfoliate or act as mild abrasives. When they finally wear out, put them in the compost where they will break down and add organic matter back to the soil.
Horsehair Exfoliation using a horsehair brush, pad, mitt is the Ferrari of dry brushing and exfoliation. These are all natural, hand-gathered hair, straps that are made of horsehair and aloe. they are not for the faint of heart. Wet or dry, they provide a true exfoliation! The ones that I have are white have wood handles are made in Italy, by craftsmen and for the person who is serious about exfoliation or just scratching that itch that you cannot reach. Horsehair straps are usually used dry (not in the shower) by taking the handles in each hand and gently rubbing all over the body, especially over rough skin. They can be used with a natural scent, essential oil, or other preparations such as creams and lotions. A massage with this strap will stimulate the circulation, exfoliate (-like crazy) and deeply apply any preparations or oils that you have applied and will make the skin smooth and velvety. Wash strap occasionally with mild soap and allow to dry.
Jute (Crochorus spp) – Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber from the bark that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from plants in the genus Corchorus from the family Malvaceae. Jute is one of the cheapest natural fibers and is second only to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses.
Loofah Scrubbers
LOOFAH. The fruit of Luffa aegyptiaca may be allowed to mature and used as a bath or kitchen sponge after being processed to remove everything but the network of xylem. The luffa or loofah sponge is used like a body scrub. Both the coarse textured type and the soft textured type are called luffas or loofahs. It is used wet or dry and revitalizes skin by exfoliating and promoting blood circulation.
PALM Brush made with Palmyra spp. from the leaves and is sometimes called vegetable horsehair. Palmyra is a natural cinnamon-color fiber obtained from the leaf stalk of a palm tree native to India. Palmyra is obtainable in the stiff and medium stiff grades. Some Palm brushes are made from the fibers of the Japanese palm plant. This could be the Japanese Bamboo Plant (Sasa palmatta). This fiber is used in garage floor brushes, or fender washing brushes, deck brushes, or various scrub brushes, etc. These fibers are a bit rough on human skin and Palm brush use should be limited to other scrubbing uses.
RAMIE Boehmeria nivea) is a flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to eastern Asia. This is an all-natural fiber from the leaves made into a washcloth or textiles. A great and gentle way to exfoliate. Ramie (It is an herbaceous perennial that is harvested and processed to yield strong fibers, also called ramie, which are used in the production of textiles, twine, upholstery, filters, and sacking. Like flax, jute, and hemp, ramie is considered a bast fiber crop, meaning that the usable portion of the plant is found in its connective tissue structures. Ramie fiber is white and lustrous and looks like silk, but it lacks stretch and elasticity. It is extremely absorbent, much more than cotton. Ramie fabric breathes well and makes comfortable clothing for warm and humid summers. Ramie is one of the strongest natural fibers and it is strong even when wet. Like linen, it will break if folded repeatedly in the same place, so avoid pressing sharp creases or folding ramie fabric. Ramie fabric does not shrink, and it is resistant to bacteria and mildew, which means it does not rot easily. The plant is widely cultivated in several Asian nations, which export ramie around the world.) http://www.wildfibres.co.uk/html/ramie.html
SILK CLOTH used for strainers or for straining herbs is made from the cocoon of the silk worm (Bombyx mori) – thus it is a protein. Since our bodies are also animal protein, the silk cloth can be used as a rub to dry the hair giving it resilience and beautiful shine. It can be used to hold herbs or Seaweed when taking a bath thus obviating the need for cooking, infusing and straining herbs and Seaweed before the bath. Just fill the silk bag with what you want and pop into the tub.
SISAL (Agave sisalana) is a variety of Mexican agave plant cultivated for its strong fiber; and used to make rope, carpets, body brushes and other items. It is used in the bath or shower to cleanse the skin and exfoliate wet loosened skin flakes. It feels really good.
Traditionally, sisal has been the leading material for agricultural twine because it has strength, durability, ability to stretch, affinity for certain dyes, and resistance to deterioration in saltwater. The importance of this traditional use is diminishing with the use of synthetic fibers. New higher-valued sisal products have been developed. Sisal is used in ropes, twines, low-cost and specialty paper, dartboards, buffing cloth, filters, mattresses, carpets, handicrafts, wire rope cores, and Macramé. In recent years sisal has been utilized as an environmentally friendly strengthening agent to replace asbestos and fiberglass in composite materials in various uses including the automobile industry. The higher-grade fiber after treatment is converted into yarns and used by the carpet industry. Other products developed from sisal fiber include spa products, cat scratching posts, lumbar support belts, rugs, slippers, cloths, and disc buffers. Sisal wall covering meets the abrasion and tearing resistance standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials and of the National Fire Protection Association. Sisal is not recommended for areas that receive wet spills or rain or snow. Sisal is used by itself in carpets or in blends with wool and acrylic for a softer hand. http://www.wigglesworthfibres.com/products/sisal/usesofsisal.html and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisal
Sisal is valuable forage for honeybees because of its long flowering period. It is particularly attractive to them during pollen shortage. The honey produced is however dark and has a strong and unpleasant flavor.
Strigile or strigil. In Roman time the strigile was used before bathing to clean off excess body dirt or sweat. They were often used with oil to assist in the cleaning process. Then the hot soak, then a bath, then a hot soak and then a cold wash or any combination that suits you. I use the above wooden butter spreader as a substitute for a curved metal strigil when I want to scrape my skin.
* * * * * *
Take a Bath Now! It’s healing to mind and body.
How to Take a Soaking Bath By Jeanne Rose
1.Take a quick shower with soap- to clean your skin
2.Open the taps in the tub and add the herbs-salts-goodies-essential oils
3.Run the water hot but not boiling.
4.Use 4-6 ounces of your bath salts per bath and some hydrosol and soak at least 22 minutes. This is the time it takes for the toxics to get moving and to be released into the tub and out of the body.
5.Get in. If the tub is small and your shoulders ache, lie flat on the bottom to soak your shoulders; if the tub is small and your legs ache, sit upright and thinking relaxing thoughts; if everything aches take turns soaking one part and then the other OR get a big Victorian tub.
6.Get out of tub and wrap in a blanket or towel, do not rub dry. Go to bed to get the full effects of the bath.
7.Think of your happy place, smell your favorite essential oil and sleep and dream the dreams.
Bath Herb Limerick
Baths relax and cool the emotions
They remind you of the deep blue ocean
Showers are nice
They remove all the lice
But baths clean the soul of commotion…. JeanneRose 2012
Bibliography:
Experience with every kind of bath and bath tool for 50 years.
Rose, Jeanne. 375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols. Frog. Ltd. 1999
Rose, Jeanne. SPA/SKIN Book. The Institute of Aromatic & Herbal Studies, 2006.
Rose, Jeanne. Herbal Body Book, 1975
Rose, Jeanne. The Aromatherapy Book • Applications & Inhalations. North Atlantic Books, 1992
Wikipedia is very helpful for all sorts of information
http://www.wigglesworthfibres.com/products/sisal/usesofsisal.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisal
My favorite source for oils, essential oils, carrier oils, hydrosols and diffusors is www.EdenBotanicals. All products are available online in any size and always samples are included.
Aromatherapy and Herbal Studies Courses are available from /courses.html