More Information on Bath Products

The Bath

Ahhh, the Bath....
How many ways are there to have a bath......

Well, lets see. There's a cold bath, a hot bath, a bath that comes out of a shower-head, a bath indoors, a bath outdoors, a foot bath, a hand bath, a full-body bath, a spit bath, a sitz bath, a cleansing bath, a therapeutic bath, a just-for-fun bath.....well, you get the idea!

In Valerie Cooksley's book, Aromatherapy, a Lifetime Guide to Healing With Essential Oils, she tells us lots of enlightening facts about baths:

"In today's stressful and fast-paced world, we rarely allow ourselves enough time to take a quick shower, let alone a full, relaxing bath. Ironically, those of us who have the least time for this luxury, are the ones who need it the most. But don't despair! I believe once you begin to experience the "aromatic lifestyle" you will find the time, even if it's on a weekly basis at first, to enjoy essential oils as part of your daily routine."

"Hippocrates noted in 500 B.C. that 'the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day'."

Hydrotherapy -
Using Water Temperature to Heal

"Literally translated, hydrotherapy means "water healing." This form of therapy involves the extended use of baths or showers in the home using hot or cold temperatures. Hydrotherapy is a very powerful tool, with documentation showing this regime alone can relieve muscle soreness, help in relaxation, increase oxygen, nutrients, and lymphatic flow. In general, it strengthens and cleans out the body. I have included only the very basics of hydrotherapy here for you to consider when deciding upon an appropriate bath. Please practice safety by confirming the bath water temperature with a thermometer, especially when using the hot and cold bath temperatures. And never allow yourself to get to the point of fatigue or chills.

A hot bath (99° - 108° F.) is good for insomnia, to increase circulation, help relieve pain and eliminate toxins. Heart rate can increase by as much as 4 times the normal rate the first 5 minutes, then will normalize. Recommended time: 20 minutes or less. Follow with cool water.

A warm bath (97° - 101° F.) is the most common temperature for the average bath. Immersion for 20 minutes to an hour is great for relaxation.

A tepid bath (92° - 97° F.) is helpful when you want to rejuvenate or have inflammatory conditions such as hives, itching, or skin rashes. Recommended time: Up to 1 hour.

Cold applications (59° - 68° F.) are for very short periods of time and are used most often in the shower or in foot and hand baths. Recommended time: A few seconds.

Caution: If you have low blood pressure, are elderly, obese, have heart problems, or caring for young children, do not use the extreme temperatures unless directed to do so by your doctor."

The above text has been taken with permission from Aromatherapy, A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils by Valerie Cooksley, RN. (The new printing of this same book with a new cover is: Aromatherapy, Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal.) Watch for her next book, Healing Home Spa, coming January 2003.