We all love a good soak in a blissful warm bath with heavenly scents. It’s even better if we can incorporate some pure natural, therapeutic touches into the experience. But how do we use essential oils safely in our bathtime routine?
Don't forget to try out the recipe below!
Low dosage
While taking a bath you have all the perfect conditions to quickly benefit from essential oils.
- The pores are wide open due to the warmth.
- Water weakens the skin barrier so substances can penetrate quickly into the skin.
- The steam carries essential oils into the lungs where they are inhaled with great ease.
Because of our body's sensitivity and the potency of essential oils, we must exercise extreme caution when adding them to the bath water. So always count your drops and follow the proper instructions. Usually 5 drops are enough for a full bath. Less is more.
Use a solvent
Essential oils are not water-soluble. If you drop them directly into the water, the oil will float to the surface, causing skin irritation and providing poor therapeutic benefits.
Fortunately, there are many DIY solutions for dissolving essential oils, such as; apple cider vinegar, black soap, olive oil soap, a neutral bath oil, solubol (a natural emulsifying agent), salt & clay, honey, whole milk, cream or yoghurt.
Make sure to blend and stir your essential oils with the carrier oil of your choice before adding them to the water. To make sure you get the most out of your aromatherapy bath, add the essential oils only when your bath is almost completely full.
Select carefully
Not all essential oils are suitable for use in the bath. If you are not educated in essential oils, stick to this list of safe oils to add. .
Lavender
Lavender provides the ultimate moment of relaxation by eliminating stress and stress-related symptoms. Feel your muscles relax and your breathing-pattern deepen. As an added benefit, you step out of the bath with silky smooth and renewed skin.
Palmarosa
The fresh, green and slightly floral scent of palmarosa mellows everyone up. The oil moisturizes the skin and acts as a tonic for every skin type. As a bonus, it also strengthens your immune system.
Geranium
An uplifting floral fragrance that rejuvenates and cares for the skin. Thanks to its skin restoring properties, it can be used for problem skins. Geranium relieves your worries and anxieties.
Ceder atlas
This warm, earthy and woody oil relaxes body and mind. Atlas cedar is known to improve lymph flow to relieve heavy legs. Enjoy its calming and deepening effect on your breathing.
Eucalyptus smithii
The refreshing, green scent of eucalyptus immediately brings wellness to mind. We choose the mildest eucalyptus to open up our airways and invigorate our minds.
Black spruce
Dispel severe fatigue and weak immunity with black spruce. The fresh, woody scent is emotionally uplifting. Add it to relieve joint and muscle pain.
Avoid these essential oils at all cost in the bath: mint types, nutmeg, black pepper, camphor, cinnamon, clove, ginger, wintergreen, thyme, ...
Pay close attention to the expiration dates of citrus oils and conifer oils like pine and fir. Avoid using citrus oils (e.g., orange, lemon, grapefruit) throughout spring and summer as they can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.
Recipe
Time to get started and have a relaxing time!
Relaxing bath
1 cup of salt
1 table spoon of jojoba oil
2 drops of lavender essential oil
1 drop of black spruce essential oil
1 drop of atlas cedar essential oil
Dissolve the essential oils in the jojoba oil and mix it well. Pour over the salt and stir until everything is evenly distributed. Add to the last stream of water before the tub is filled.
Enjoy!
! Caution: these tips are only suitable for adults. Avoid essential oils in a bath for children. Instead add a tablespoon of lavender or rose hydrosol to their water.