Bath Herbs—Actions and Effects

Several classifications, or actions, illustrate the effects of soaking in an herbal bath. Decide which herbs you want to use according to the action desired; for instance, use lavender, comfrey, and pine for a stimulating bath. To make a bath decoction, simmer one handful dried or two handfuls fresh of your chosen botanical in a quart of water, covered, for about twenty minutes, then strain into a warm bath. You could also loosely fill a muslin bag with the desired herbs, tie it shut, and take this directly into the tub. The advantage of this method is that, after soaking for a while, you can rub the herb bag all over your skin for added circulation; follow this up with a quick shower.

You might not think that herb “tea” in your bath can have any real effect, but if you consider that many pharmaceutical drugs are administered via transdermal patch, you’ll realize what your skin is capable of.

What follows are several categories of herbs and their effects. You will notice that some herbs, like lavender, are in more than one category.

Stimulating

• comfrey
• lavender
• mint
• pine
• rosemary
• sage
• strawberry leaf
• thyme

Tonic 

• birch
• blackberry leaf
• cider vinegar
• dandelion leaf
• elder flower
• horsetail
• nettles
• rose

Relaxation

• catnip
• chamomile
• hops
• rolled oats
• rose