Baths and Body Care

Herbal Baths

The art of using herbal baths to treat circulatory and skin problems is known as hydrotherapy. There are an infinite number of possibilities when creating herbal baths. Each depends upon the herb extracts used and the temperature and volume of the water.

The best way to add herbal extracts to bath water is to sew them inside a small muslin bag. This is dangled from the tap so the water releases a fresh infusion as it flows through. A small cotton drawstring bag is useful as it can be washed and reused. You can also place herbs in a stocking foot and tie a knot in the leg. Tea bags may be used also.

Water Temperature

Warm baths are the most soothing as they help relax tense muscles and calm nerves. Therapeutically, warm baths are used to treat mild colds, urinary problems, low fevers, and after exercise to relax muscles and joints.

Hot baths (38 c, 100 degrees F.) and cold baths are more or less shock treatments for the body. Hot baths cause the pulse to increase and may leave you feeling weak and drained. Prolonged hot baths put the heart under unnecessary strain as the blood vessels expand in an attempt to cool the body. However, they can be useful to induce sweating and therefore good for eliminating toxins from the system.

Cold baths also increase the heart rate, although the pulse slows down once it has recovered from the initial shock. Cold baths can be helpful for increasing the blood circulation and toning the skin.

Herbal skin treatments work best in a full bath, when the body is totally submerged. Half baths tend to be cooler and are less of a strain on the system, so are better for those with low blood pressure.