Take an Aromatherapy Bath

An aromatherapy bath (or "aromabath") can be a soothing retreat or a reviving experience and a lovely way to get clean. The addition of essential oils to a regular bath can enhance its ability to act as a therapeutic and sensual experience. Other benefits from an aromatherapy bath include softer skin through moisturizing and opening the pores, detoxifying and deodorizing your body.
If you're a beginner in the art of aromatherapy, starting with aromatherapy baths is a very simple and effective way to connect with the virtues of aromatherapy treatments for your overall well-being.

Steps

Choosing scents for the aromatherapy bath

Start by choosing what you like.

1.   Start by choosing what you like. Initially, it's suggested that you choose scents that you know you like and that help you to feel calm or energized when you use them. As you become more experienced and more interested in aromatherapy though, you'll be able to select particular scents that are known to provide certain benefits when used.
2. Be an informed user of essential oils. Always know the properties of any essential oil you're using and know the contra-indications, such as not using an oil when pregnant, breastfeeding, on infants or children or those who are immuno-suppressed, etc. Some oils have lingering after-effects such as increasing the likelihood of getting sunburn if you go into direct sunlight after using them. Read all of the labels, warnings and directions accompanying each essential oil. It is also important to know of any allergies before using, which can be done by using a skin patch test or through knowing that you're allergic to the plant source in some other form.
   • You can get more information about an individual essential oil on its label, in books about aromatherapy, on websites concerning essential oils and aromatherapy or by talking to your essential oil supplier or manufacturer or even with your doctor or pharmacist.

3. 

   Choose relaxing essential oils.

   Choose relaxing essential oils. Oils that are suggested as suitable for a relaxing aromatherapy bath include:
   • Basil, bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, juniper, lavender, marjoram, neroli (oranges), rose and rosewood, sandalwood, sage and ylang ylang.Lavender and marjoram are ideal choices if you're plagued by insomnia.
4. 

   Choose stimulating and energizing essential oils.

    Choose stimulating and energizing essential oils. Oils that are suggested as suitable for an invigorating and energizing aromatherapy bath include:
   
   • Cypress, eucalyptus, fennel, geranium, juniper, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint, pine, rosemary and thyme.
5. Use about 5 to 10 drops of the essential oil in one tablespoon of carrier oil per bath for an adult unless indicated otherwise on the label. Carrier oils are necessary to prevent the essential oil from being too powerful. They can be such oils as olive oil, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. These carrier oils have the added benefit of nourishing and moisturizing your skin.

   

   Use a carrier oil.

   • For a non-oily or non-slip bath suitable for children and the elderly, milk (full fat) or dairy cream can be used as the carrier base instead of vegetable oil.
   • For children aged 6-12 months, only use 1 to 3 drops of essential oil, and 3-4 drops for a child aged 1-5.This is mainly because a child's bath uses less water but also be aware of which oils are suitable for children – geranium and mandarin are two good choices.
6. Choose other forms of adding fragrance to the bath. You're not limited to using just essential oils. You can also use bath bombs, bath salts, bubble bath, soap flakes or soap, flower petals and other sources of fragrance. However, it is recommended that you seek the purer and more true forms of scent than synthetic versions and the less chemicals stamped on the back of the product, the better for you. And remember that the therapeutic benefits of a bath generally come from using the essential oils rather than other products.

Choosing the aromatherapy bath and the temperature

1. Decide whether your purpose for the aromatherapy bath is one of seeking to relax or one of seeking stimulation. In a nutshell, the choice of essential oils will be impacted by your motivation for the aromatherapy bath. While most people view a warm bath as a source of relaxing, provided the right essential oils are added, a bath can also be reviving with cold water, something which can be especially handy if you're about to go out again after a day at work or sport.
2. Decide on the bath temperature. The temperature of the bath can vary from cold to hot, depending on what you're expecting from your aromatherapy bath, as well as personal preferences. The following bath temperatures are a guide and if you have any medical problems, always discuss bath temperature with your doctor first:
   • Cold bath: A cold bath is considered to have a temperature range between 21-27ºC or 70-80ºF. This is a stimulating bath that helps to improve circulation, breathing, muscle activity and can help various skin complaints. The time spent in a cold bath should be about 2-5 minutes.
   • Warm bath: A warm bath is considered to have a temperature range between 27-34ºC or 80-93ºF. Most people enjoy warm baths without a fuss and this type of bath is very relaxing. In terms of the most therapeutic benefits from a warm aromatherapy bath, the best length of time for soaking is 20 minutes.
   • Hot bath: A hot bath is considered to have a temperature range between 38-40ºC or 100-104ºF. This bath is good for those suffering from fevers associated with the influenza or to help remove toxins and increase sweating. Whether or not a hot bath is relaxing is dependent on your personal preferences! Hot baths are never recommended for children, pregnant women, heart condition sufferers or those with varicose veins or broken capillaries. Even if healthy or not pregnant, you shouldn't take too many hot baths as they tend to increase your heart rate, enlarge your blood vessels and capillaries and end up leaving you feeling drained and weakened.
3. 
   Always ensure that things are ready before getting into the bath. Having an aromatherapy bath is like performing a ritual, one that has been practiced for thousands of years by human beings who have appreciated the benefits of scented bathing. Place a fresh and unused towel (or towels) in an easy-to-reach spot, have all the essential oils or other scented items ready to add, have soaps and loofah or bath mitt near or on the bath and have your bath robe or other clothing ready to don laid out in an accessible part of the bathroom.

Relaxing aromatherapy bath

1. 
   Create a calm environment with soft music and dim lights. Having soft light is an important element of creating a peaceful sanctuary but if you can't turn down the lights, at least wear an eye mask. Shut the door and request that people keep out for the next 30 or so minutes.
2.   Light one or two aromatherapy candles in your scent of choice.
   Light one or two aromatherapy candles in your scent of choice. Also, if you have aromatic plants, herbs, foliage or flowers, add these to the bathroom for added fragrance.
3. 
     Fill the bath.
   Fill the bath. For a relaxing bath, the temperature should be warm, as outlined above.
   • It is easiest to add mostly hot water and then add cool water until the bath is noticeably warmer than skin temperature, but not uncomfortably hot.
4. 
   Add the scent to the water as the bath is filling up, choosing the scents from the section on "Choosing Scents for the Aromatherapy Bath" above.
   • If you're using scented bath salts, place 2 tablespoons in the bottom of the tub once you have plugged the drain.
   • If you're using oils, add about 5-10 drops of essential oil to a carrier oil and then add to the water. You can even add it to the bottom of the tub before adding the water if preferred but bear in mind that adding to the water later will mean that the oils are more effective because oil is drawn to your skin from the top of the water. Moreover, essential oils tend to evaporate quickly once added to the water.
   • If you're using herbs, make sure they are sealed in a cloth bag. Tie the bag to the faucet, so that the water will run directly through it.
5. Add a bath pillow. If you don't have a bath pillow, use a rolled up towel.
6. 
   Consider skin brushing to increase circulation prior to getting into the bath. Use gentle, circular motions with a loofah brush. Some aromatherapy bath rituals have the bather rub the relevant essential oil (in a carrier or massage oil base) all over the body from toes to upper chest before brushing. The oil is then washed off in the warm bath water.
7. 
   Step in and lie back with your head supported by the pillow. Soak yourself for at least 20 minutes. If possible, close your eyes and lean back in the tub.
   • Concentrate on your breathing.
   • Seek to let go of your worries and anxious thoughts.
   • Allow the essential oils to soothe you and remove the stress.
8. 
   Dry off with a soft, warm towel. Keep the towel on a warming towel rack if possible, otherwise you can always tuck a hot water bottle inside it which will warm it up while you're in the bath soaking.
   
9. 
   Stay in the bathroom for several minutes while you drain the bath to enjoy the scented steam.

Stimulating aromatherapy bath

1. 
   
   Create an enjoyable and calm environment. While the lights don't need to be as soft, avoid anything blaring in your eyes. Shut the door from others and make the bathroom your space for the next 10 to 15 minutes.
2. 
   Light candles which have the invigorating scents embedded in them. Again, any relevant plants, herbs or spices that can add to the atmosphere can be brought into the bathroom too. However, this bath isn't going to last too long, so don't fuss too much.
3. Fill the bath with cold water in the temperature range cited above.
4. Add the relevant scents as the bath fills up. See the list of appropriate scents for an energizing bath in the section on "Choosing Scents for the Aromatherapy Bath" above. Also add a bath cushion for your head.
5. 
   Consider preparing yourself prior to having the colder bath by skin brushing. Simply use a body brush, bath mitt or a loofah and rub your back, legs, arms and torso to increase the circulation and remove dead skin cells and dirt from skin pores. Use circular motions while brushing. Doing this will help to stimulate your circulation.
6. Step into the bath. Soak in it for 2 to 5 minutes.
7. Rinse. After you've soaked yourself, splash yourself all over with cold water (as cold as you can bear). Take this water either from the tap or the shower. If you don't like the feeling of being splashed, simply add the cold water to the bath itself and sit there as the cold water flushes around you.
8. 8
   Step out of the bath. Using the towel, slap yourself dry to create a tingling sensation on the skin, or simply do a vigorous dry with the towel. Splash your face with cold water as the last part of energizing yourself.
9. 9
   Feel energized. You should now be ready to start your day or to head back out after work or sport and feel a lot more refreshed than before the bath!

No bath? Have an aromatherapy shower

1. Wash yourself as usual in a warm shower.
2. Rinse off all the soap and shower gels.
3. Add 2 to 3 drops of the relevant aromatherapy oil to a facecloth or a wet sponge.
4. 
   Rub this cloth or sponge over all areas of your body while standing under the warm shower.
   • It helps to plug the shower drain with a plug, your feet, a facecloth or something else. You can allow the water to fill up and add a few drops of essential oil to it, which will rise up in the steam. This is optional, as some people cannot bear water around their feet in the shower!

   Tips

   • Use a children's bath thermometer to gauge the water temperature. These can be found at any store that sells baby safety supplies, including pharmacies or drugstores.
   • Soft music is another addition you might like to consider for the relaxing aromatherapy bath.
   • Bear in mind that less is always best. You can always top up scent if needed but it's hard to undo too much!
   • Aromatherapy baths work therapeutically on the basis that the oils used are absorbed through the bather's skin and enter the circulatory system while the fragrance enters the bather's olfactory system. As such, using the best quality essential oils possible is vital, along with knowing the properties of each oil used.
   • You can certainly make a blend of oils but this takes a bit more experience or trial and error to know which fragrances blend well together. Read up more on the subject before attempting blending and there are plenty of essential oil bath blends in aromatherapy books.

   Warnings

   • Test the essential oils beforehand to make sure you're not allergic.
   • Don't use too much essential oil, as it can irritate your skin.
   • Make sure you don't get oil or bath salts directly on your eyes. If you do get essential oils in the eyes, do not flush out with water as this will drive it in deeper. Try to dilute a little using a pure vegetable oil and see a doctor quickly.
   • Sage, clary sage, fennel and rosemary oils should not be used during pregnancy.
   • Always dilute cinnamon, lemongrass, oregano and thyme oils in pure vegetable oil as they're very strong oils.
   • Citrus oils can cause a rash or pigmentation when exposed to direct sunlight.Use with extreme caution and always dilute with a pure vegetable oil first. Do a skin patch test to be certain of your own personal reaction to such oils.
   • Do not consume essential oils; they are only meant to be applied topically.
   • Never put a towel over a heater not specifically made for warming towels or you risk starting a fire.

   Things You'll Need

   • Essential oils
   • Carrier oil
   • Bath
   • Relevant information about the essential oils you're using