In winter especially, the ritual of relaxing in a warm bath can provide a comforting antidote to cold weather and lack of sunshine. Even the wild snow monkeys of Japan have learnt to enjoy bathing in the natural hot springs of Jigokudani Park in winter! The benefits of taking a hot bath have been well documented scientifically, since thermal bathing is part of an age-old spa tradition. Soaking in warm water naturally enhances blood flow and increases the whole body’s metabolism – and this increases the flow of oxygen to the cells of our body and boosts circulation, helping to promote vitality. Increased blood flow also helps nourish the vital organs, such as the digestive system and heart. Yet after a while, soaking in a hot bath actually dilates our blood vessels, lowering blood pressure rather than increasing it, as is the case with many physical exercises.
The benefit of using natural aromatherapy soaps
Many popular soaps and bathing products, such as the detergents used in bubble bath formulations, actually strip the outer dermis of its natural lubricating oils which serve as a protective layer on our skin. Rather than subjecting our skin to harsh cleaning agents, it is therefore better to use soaps and cleaning agents which actually nourish and feed our skin at the same time!
I created our range of four 100% pure aromatic soap bars to do just this: cleanse, perfume, lubricate and nourish our skin simultaneously, where each soap offers a specific benefit.
The therapeutic actions of bath salts
Just taking a regular hot bath can dramatically soothe stiffness of the joints and help ease cramp or muscular pain, which are often exacerbated by cold and damp. The heat and buoyancy of being submerged in hot water is very therapeutic as it helps to reduce the experience of gravity and the weight of our own body. This effect can be dramatically enhanced when bath salts, such as Dead Sea Salts or Epsom Salts are added to the bath water. Just add a handful of salt to the hot running bath water (between 37-39°C) agitate the water so the salt dissolves, then soak and relax for 20 minutes.
Epsom Salts:
Our fine textured Epsom Salts are 100% pure & unscented, composed of magnesium sulfate crystals which are a naturally occuring mineral compound. These crystals are renowned for their ability to soothe & relax tired muscles, and aid recovery from sports injuries, swollen joints, cramps & sprains. Combined with essential oils such as lavender, rosemary or juniper needle, Epsom Salts have also been shown to improve symptoms of arthritis, especially when carried out on a daily basis.
Dead Sea Salts:
Dead Sea Salts dissolved in a hot bath, makes a soothing, healing and regenerative body soak. Our Dead Sea Salts are 100% pure & unscented and contain very high levels of natural minerals, including magnesium, calcium & potassium. These are minerals which can often be lacking in our body, yet are vital for optimal well-being. Therefore bathing in mineral-rich salts can be another means of absorbing these life-giving substances. Dead Sea Salts also enhance the general health of our skin, helping to soften & soothe dry or irritated skin conditions such as eczema, acne & psoriasis. This action is enhanced when combined with essential oils such as myrrh,rose or frankincense which have outstanding healing & regenerative qualities in their own right.
Aromatic Bathing for Stress Relief
Aromatic bathing is a particularly beneficial form of treatment for these times since it aids all types of conditions exacerbated by stress, including depression, anxiety, insomnia and nervous exhaustion – it is quite simply one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to experience a natural state of relaxation away from the fast pace of our daily lives. It does not merely bring relief to a range of health conditions, but it also plays a vital role in preventing the development of stress related diseases: it is therefore one of best preventative approaches. Simply soaking in a warm aromatic bath with an essential oil, such as vetivert – known in India as the oil of tranquility – added to the water, is perhaps one of the most pleasing ways to relax and unwind at the end of stressful day and to encourage restful sleep. Oils with a profoundly soothing effect include chamomile, lavender, bergamot or neroli. Just add up to 10 drops of your chosen oil to the warm bath water once the bath is full.
When you relax in a bath with essential oils added, you are also inhaling the aromatic vapours so it is a bit like doing a steam inhalation – and inhalation is one of the fastest ways for the power of the oils to enter the body, via the lungs and then into the blood stream. The soothing effects of combining these various therapeutic forms of stress-relief treatments is therefore very effective and almost instantaneous.
Post-Bathing Rituals
In my recent book ‘Mud, Salt +Medicine’ I explore the benefits of aromatic bathing as a part of the ancient and universally practised hot spring & healing spa tradition. But you don’t need to leave your own home in order to enjoy many of the benefits of this age-old ritual! It’s easy to create your own healing sanctuary at home by creating a calm and therapeutic environment. After bathing in hot water, it is important to relax and keep warm by staying wrapped up in a towel or gown for at least 15 minutes while sipping a herb tea to rehydrate the system. Our new Body Oil collection is formulated to leave your skin soft and silky – these are best applied to warm damp skin – and each is aimed at a specific skin type having a different therapeutic effect.