Time for an Aromatherapy Bath?

I love soaking in a hot bath in the winter! And if the bath is infused with fragrant aromatherapy essential oils, all the better!

Now that it's mid-winter here in the U.S. the best way to take the cold chill off your bones is by a good, long soak in Epsom salts and essential oils. But, you need to know how to do it right…

First of all, buying scented bath products is not only unnecessary and expensive, but many of them contain harmful toxic chemicals, additives and artificial fragrances.

Do you really want to soak in toxins and additives? When you think of how quickly toxins get absorbed through the skin, I should hope not!

For the sake of safety and health, use only 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Spend your money where it counts – on the oil – not the fillers, additives, and toxins. Mix the oils with inexpensive Epsom salt (also very therapeutic).

Many people think you can just pour essential oils into bath water. But that's not a good idea. The oils will just float on top of the water, rather than disperse evenly, even if you put them in while the water is running. Then they'll either stick to the sides of the tub or the first bit of skin they touch and no where else. You definitely won't get the full benefit of the oils.

Here's how to get the oils to disperse evenly:

Method 1: Put about 1/2 cup of Epsom salts into a glass bowl. Add 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Mix well and add to the tub while the water is running.

Method 2: If you don't want to bother with a bowl, simply put a handful of Epsom salts into your hand. Hold the essential oil bottle over your hand and let 10-20 drops fall onto the salts. Rub the oil into the salts with your fingers, or use the palm of your other hand and rub your palms together, letting the salts fall gently into the water as you mix. Rinse your hands and you're ready to soak!

Here's a list of my favorite Aromatherapy bath oils to soak in:

Lavender – you can't go wrong with lavender. Always soothing and relaxing, it's also tremendously nurturing for the skin and wonderful on stiff joints. And it smells heavenly…

Peace & Calming – Wonderful to relax tensions and uplift spirits. A hot soak in this essential oil (and a little applied to the feet) before bedtime pretty much guarantee a peaceful night's rest.

ImmuPower – Feel like you're coming down with something? This powerful blend of immune-boosting therapeutic-grade essential oils creates a fragrant and protective haven while increasing positive energy.

Grounding – Nothing feels better after a frantic day when you've been running all over the place than the stabilizing influence of Grounding essential oil. This relaxing and balancing blend of essential oils helps you cope with reality in a positive manner.

PanAway – When you've overexercised biking, hiking, rowing, or in yoga this classic blend provides comforting and soothing warmth to your sore, aching muscles.

Joy – When you need to warm your heart, this luxuriously exotic blend with uplifting overtones creates magnetic energy and brings joy to the heart.

Inspiration – We all need a little inspiration now and then. This essential oil creates an aromatic sanctuary for those seeking quiet meditation and spirituality.

Live with Passion – Soaking in a tub of this oil can help you find your passion and zest for life again. So many times, loss of drive and a feeling of emptiness in life stem from loosing our direction and passion.

Sensation – Stimulating to the senses and intensifying feelings of romance, this oil is great in a bath for two. Also very nourishing and hydrating for the skin and beneficial for various skin problems.

There are many more wonderful oils I could mention that are fabulous to soak in, depending on your mood and need – oils like Angelica, Harmony, Hope, Humility, Inner Child, Dreamcatcher, Magnify Your Purpose, Present Time (and ladies, don't forget Dragon Time for that time of month).

Winter is almost not long enough for all the aromatherapy baths I want to take. And to think, I used to not like winter at all!

So the next time your bones feel the chill, draw a nice, hot bath, get out your epsom salts and essential oil du juor, and sink deep into that wonderfully soothing aromatherapy bath. Ahhh…