Medicinal Herb Baths

Ahhh… sinking into a big bathtub filled to the brim with steaming water – what could be better? Baths are soothing, relaxing, and with the right medicinal herbs added to your water, they can be healing as well!

If you are feeling under the weather, just the general malaise we so often experience, try adding the common culinary herb thyme (thymus vulgaris) to your bath water. Thyme is an antiseptic medicinal herb and will help you fight off any bugs your immune system might be contending with. Thyme encourages perspiration, which of course helps your body to rid itself of toxins. It is also soothing for the pains of rheumatism and will help bruising and swelling. Steep three to four ounces in one pint of boiling hot water for 10 minutes and add this infusion to your bath.Another common culinary herb, rosemary (rosemarinus officinalis), is an excellent bath additive to stimulate digestive activity, general metabolism, and circulation. You might want to try this bath after overeating at Thanksgiving or Christmas! Or any other time you overindulge a bit… Make an infusion by steeping two ounces of rosemary in one pint of boiling hot water for 10 minutes and add to your bath.

Valerian root (valeriana officinalis) is the medicinal herb that the synthetic drug Valium is based on.  Added to a hot bath, it is an excellent remedy for insomnia or other nervous conditions. This one’s a bit more complicated: add three to four ounces of the herb to one quart of cold water and let soak for 10-12 hours. Then bring the mixture to a boil, boil briefly, and add to your bath. Make sure someone’s around to wake you in case you fall asleep in the tub!Another medicinal herb that creates a relaxing bathing experience is German chamomile (matricarea camomilla). Chamomile has long been my tea of choice if I’m having trouble sleeping, and it has the same soporific qualities added to the bath. Steep three to four ounces of the flowers in one quart of boiling water for one hour, then add to your bath. Chamomile is also excellent for skin problems, varicose ulcers, and wounds.