Benefits of Baths
Through a bath the body has time to absorb the benefits of the ingredients that you add to the hot water. Allowing your body to be supported by the water and the ingredients instead of being in a hurry. Baths allow the nervous system to relax, can aid in pain relief, improve sleep as you wash off any allergens you’ve collected from the day and hydrates the skin.
Showers are great for a thorough cleaning and you can hit the body with cold water to aid other needs. The bath allows the body to receive rather than wash away.
Soaking in a “detox bath”, as I like to call them, is so deeply nourishing for the entire system. When it comes to what oils to add to it I give these guidelines:
Essential oils are not water soluble so you’ll need a carrier oil in the bath to make sure the essential oil absorbs into your skin. Otherwise it will smell amazing and go right down the drain.
What is carrier oil?
Carrier oils are oils that are mixed with essential oils to give them something to mix and bind with.
Jojoba oil: has no shelf life.
Hemp seed oil: very compatible with your natural skin oils so the body absorbs it effortlessly.
Moringa oil: supports cleansing your pores.
Caution: I don’t recommend using coconut oil in your bath because it will solidify in the pipes.
I use my massage oil blend in my bath and I only put in about 5 drops worth of essential oil in the bath before I get in. I massage and rub the oily water into my skin, this feels great during the winter months here in MN as it adds a layer of protection to the skin so the elements don’t hit so hard.
I also add in epsom salts, baking soda, mustard seed, and essential oils that stand out to me that day.
Recently we experienced -32 degrees and I put 2 drops of Frankincense oil on my palms and rubbed it on my cheeks and nose before I went out in the morning. I put the excess on my forearms and feet. My cat wasn’t a fan of the aroma, but the bite of the cold air didn’t hit as hard.
Frankincense is grounding and good for skin healing.