Herbal beauty baths have been used for ages to pamper, treat, and beautify. Chinese medicine has employed herbal baths as far back as the Shang Dynasty (1700 to 1027 BC). The main usage was to relieve stress and slow the aging process. Simply adding herbs to your bath water can help treat just about any beauty problem, and can be very helpful in resting and relaxing the body and skin.

Preparation

An easy way to introduce herbs into your bath is to put ½ cup or more of the herb (or a combination of herbs) into a muslin bag, or a bag you make out of a washcloth or any porous cloth or loose weave fabric. Attach the bag to the faucet before you draw the water, letting the hot water run directly though the herbs as the tub fills up. When you are done running water, put the bag into the water for the remainder of your soak. For a more potent bath treatment, simmer the herbs before hand in 2-4 cups of boiling water, and pour the infusion into your bath water. Toss the herbs, or let them float for an old fashioned beauty bath. Always buy the freshest herbs possible, and consider growing them yourself when you can.

Cleansing Bath

Any of these herbs or a combination of them is a great treatment to cleanse and purify oily skin:

lovage, lemongrass, geranium leaves, milfoil (also known for healing, astringent, and toning properties)

Wrinkle Remover Bath

These herbs soften the skin, and are a useful and relaxing wrinkle treatment:

fennel, rose petals (also a moisturizer), elder flowers, linden flowers

Calming Bath

If you just need to relax and unwind to help treat some of the stress from the daily wear on your body, consider these herbal soothers:

valerian, hops, passion flower, marjoram

Moisturizing Bath

To add moisture to your life, try soaking in some of these fragrant natural hydrators:

orange blossoms, chamomile flowers (also known for their healing properties), rose leaves, rose petals, rose hips, white willow bark

Skin Toning Bath

Use one or more of these herbs to tighten and tone the skin. Perfect for new mothers trying to tone after pregnancy skin:

thyme, lavender (also an antiseptic and stimulates circulation), milfoil, peppermint (also an antiseptic), nettle

Baby Bath

Baby care can start with fresh herbs. These herbs are mild, and should help relax and sooth a baby before bed:

chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, spearmint

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