Herbal baths not only smell good, but also perform the important function of soothing and hydrating the skin, leaving it looking and feeling younger. Not to mention the broad range of health benefits.

Some herbs act as diaphoretics, opening up the pores to allow perspiration and waste matter to escape; others act as astringents, tightening poor old tired pores.

Herbs are used in baths to help one sleep, as aphrodisiacs, in weight loss, to relieve itchy skin, relax a tense back - just about anything you want them to do.

The skins surface is covered with hundreds of pores that function as passages for accumulated waste matter to escape from the body. If the pores are encrusted with dirt or oil, the waste matter can not escape and the body loses one of its main excretory surfaces and begins to suffocate on its own poisons.

Your skin breathes for you. It also has a healthful effect on circulation and metabolism. It is beneficial that one learns and practices the gentle art of bathing.

Methods Of An Herbal Bath - Hot baths are enervating. Warm baths are pleasant. Cold baths are stimulating.

Method 1

1. Take a ½ cup of herbs and simmer in 1 quart of water in a covered nonmetal pot for 10-20 minutes.

2. While your herbs are simmering, take a quickie shower to remove the surface dirt.

3. Fill the tub with warm or hot water, strain the decoction and pour the herb liquid into the tub. Wrap the solid herbs residue in a wash cloth and tie with a ribbon or rubber band.

4. Enter the tub and soak for at least 20 minutes. Relax and rub your body vigorously with the herbs tied in the wash cloth.

Method 2

1. Place a large handful of herbs in 2 cups of boiling water in a covered nonmetal container. Simmer for 10-20 minutes. Strain.

2. While your herbs are simmering, take a quickie shower.

3. When through with your shower, wrap the solid herbs residue in a wash cloth and rub the body vigorously.

4. Use the liquid as a rinse after the shower and the rub.

Method 3

1. Wrap a large handful of herbs in a cloth bag (bath bag) and tie securely.

2. Place the bag right into the bathtub or onto the shower head and let the hot water run through it.

Method 4 - Steam method.

1. Mix a little coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil with water.

2. Plug in a vaporizer into a bathroom outlet.

3. Add the oil and water mixture into the container and drop in some fresh pedals and scented herbs.

4. Keep the bathroom door shut and sit, the steam will rise, perfuming the air and steaming your skin of impurities.

Herbal Bath Remedies

Calming Bath

Mix together a small handful each of cannabis, chamomile, hops, linden, passionflower, valerian and yarrow. Simmer in one quart of water in a covered nonmetal container for 10 minutes. Sip ½ cup of the liquid with a little lemon and honey. Pour the rest in your bath water and soak for at least 30 minutes.

Dry Skin Bath

Mix equal parts of orris root, almond meal, oatmeal and cornmeal - enough to equal 1 cup - wrap and tie firmly in a bath bag or wash cloth. Put it in your bath water, it will release slowly a milkiness that soothes dry, itchy skin.

Oily Skin Bath

Mix equal parts of lemon grass, orange buds, mint, white willow bark and witch hazel leaves - enough to equal 1 cup. Simmer in a covered nonmetal pot for 15 minutes, strain and pour the liquid into your bath water or use as a rinse after you shower.

Tranquil Bath

Mix together 1 handful each of valerian, linden, lavender, chamomile, hops and burdock root in a cloth bag and tie securely. Place the bag right in the bath water and soak for 30 minutes.

Simple Bath

Mix together equal parts of sage, rosemary and lavender. Use any herbal bath method.

Beauty Bath

Mix together equal parts of lavender and rose flowers, leaves of rosemary, mint and thyme and comfrey root. Use any of the above methods.

Any number of herbs and flowers can be used in a bath. Other additions to the bath bag are oatmeal and bran, which act as gentle abrasives. You can also add a tablespoon of sea salt or a cup of powdered milk or honey to the bath water. Herb and flower vinegars may be added also, for softening skin, soothing muscles and relieving skin irritations.

Suggested herbs for bathing for beautiful skin include chamomile flowers for cleansing and softening; comfrey leaves for soothing; dandelion leaves for revitalizing tired skin and improve circulation; fennel leaves for softening and smoothing; horsetail leaves as an astringent and toner; lemon balm leaves as an astringent; linden flowers whiten skin, improve circulation and smooth wrinkles; mint leaves for scent, as an astringent for their stimulating, antiseptic properties; mullein flowers used for lightening hair; parsley leaves whiten skin and improve circulation; rosemary leaves for scent and astringent properties and for darkening hair; thyme leaves for deodorant and antiseptic properties; and yarrow leaves for their astringent effect on oily skin and improve circulation.