“Can I draw you a bath?” The first time I asked my husband that question he just laughed at me. Who says that? Well, let me tell you, I draw one heck of a bath, commanding respect even from those that scoff at my choice of words.
I am going to share with you the art of the bath (and the health benefits too).
In my home, a bath is not just a tub full of water to clean off the dirt and grime. It is a way of cleansing, refreshing and restoring at the end of the day. The tub is filled with salts, herbs and essential oils creating a luxurious soak that relaxes sore muscles, calms the mind, removes toxins and restores essential minerals.
The primary ingredient in the bath is Epsom salts. Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate which are both easily absorbed through the skin. Epsom salts have so many health benefits. They soothe muscle aches and pains, decrease swelling and inflammation, relieve itching, ease migraine headaches, promote sleep, and increase your body’s magnesium levels which are reduced when the body is under stress. The Epsom salts are combined with baking soda and Himalayan Salt. The combination of these three salts work to flush toxins from the body and replenish essential minerals.
Himalayan Salt is a mineral rich salt. It contains 84 minerals including potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. It is an ionic solution so it draws out toxins from skin and adipose tissue and also absorbs through the skin to aid in relaxing cramped muscles and healing of damaged soft tissue.
Baking soda is added to this combination of salts because of its ability to increase mineral absorption. The Epsom Salt and Himalayan Salts draw out toxins and then, with the help of baking soda, all the awesome minerals in these salts are absorbed through the skin.
Bath tea bags with combinations of herbs add different healing elements depending on the herbs used. For eczema and rashes the combination of Lavender, Comfrey, Calendula, chickweed, Chamomile and oatmeal work well. Peppermint and Lavender work wonders at relieving stress and Lavender, Chamomile and oatmeal in a nighttime bath aid with sleep. As if this isn’t good enough I then add some essential oils; Lavender to calm and relax the mind and body and Peppermint to soothe sore muscles. If we are experiencing congestion then Eucalyptus is added.
This powerful combination of salts, herbs and oils in a bath create the perfect environment for relaxation, detoxification and healing. When you are feeling physical or emotional stress or you just need to relax, draw yourself a bath and soak away the tension with Grandma’s Lavender herbal Bath Teas and Lavender Bath Salts. For the most therapeutic benefit, it is recommended that you soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes and then drink 12-24 ounces of water after the bath. Our Bath Teas are also wonderful for nighttime calming, soothing of rashes, reducing fevers and general bathing of little ones.
Kathie Kesterson
Founder and creator of Grandma's Lavender