Healthful Herbal Baths

(Page 2 of 2)

January/February 1980
By Sue Okleja 
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There are almost endless combinations of herbs that are used for different cosmetic and healing purposes, including recipes passed down from such famous women as Madame Pompadour, Catherine the Great, George Sand, and Mary, Queen of Scots. The recipes I've listed here, however, are my own favorites . . . that have all been tested and found to be soothing to both the skin and the whole body.

In ancient Rome (and who knew more about baths than the Romans!), sage was considered one of the most important bath herbs, and was often used to ease the fatigued muscles of both nobles and peasants. For this reason, I've included sage in all my recipes.

For an "Ohhh, My Aching Back" bath, mix 2 parts of sage with 1 part each of mugwort, wormwood, comfrey leaf, white oak bark, strawberry leaf, and German chamomile. Prepare the mixture by any method you prefer, but-as you bathe be sure to rub your back with the herb-filled washcloth.

A "Sweet Bath" can be made from 1/4 cup of sage, 1/4 cup of mugwort, and 1/8 cup each of sweet fennel, elder flowers, jasmine, and spearmint . . . plus a pinch of ground thyme. Mix the ingredients well, and use only 1/2 cup of herbs per bath. (The jasmine and spearmint are added only for their scent, so they can be omitted, and-if you have oily skin-you might want to substitute lemon grass for the elder flowers.)

I call one of my favorite soaks "The Sagey Bath". It's made from 1/3 cup of sage, 1/4 cup of German chamomile, 1/4 cup of comfrey leaves, 1/8 cup of rosemary, and a pinch of ground thyme. To prepare it, just pour two cups of boiling water over the mixture . . . steep it for 20 minutes . . . add 1 or 2 drops of oil of sage, if desired ... and strain the liquid into the bath.

After you've tried the above recipes, you'll probably want to experiment with a few herbal favorites of your own. One of the best books to guide you in this matter is The CompleteHerbal Guide to Natural Health and Beauty by Dian Dincin Buchman (Doubleday), which is available from Mother's Bookshelf (P.O. Box 70, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28739) for $2.95 plus 95¢ shipping and handling.

Hot water and herbs: I can't imagine a more pleasant-or painless-route to beauty, relaxation, health ... and just plain feelin' great!

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