Get the most from your bath

**Nightmare** · 05-13-2006, 08:47 PM

This bath herb blend is perfect for relaxing at the end of a long day. The valerian contributes to a nice, sleepy, calming effect. Unplug the phone, light some candles, and have some comfy jammies ready to slip into!
1 part dried hops
1 part dried chamomile flowers
1 part dried lavender buds
1/4 part dried valerian root
lavender essential oil (optional)
Combine all herbs and add 1 drop lavender essential oil for each 3/4 ounce (weight) of total herbs used. Put into a glass container with a lid - a big, empty, clean mayo jar is perfect! - and gently shake to blend. Let the jar sit for at least a week to allow the herbs to "marinate."
Use 3/4 ounce (weight) of the herb mixture per bath. The herbs can be tied up in a muslin bag or sealed into a press and brew tea bag, either of which can be dropped into the tub while it's filling with hot water.
Alternatively, put the herbs in a bowl and cover with a pint of boiling water. Allow to steep for 20 minutes, then strain and add the infusion to the bath. The strained herbs can be tied into a washcloth, which can be used to gently scrub with while soaking.

**Nightmare** · 05-16-2006, 02:57 PM

1/2 cup Epsom salts
1-cup baking soda
1/2-cup rock salt
1/2 tsp vitamin E
2 tsp light oil (almond, sunflower...)
20 drops Patchouli essential oil
15 drops Cypress essential oil
5 drops Vetivert essential oil
Green Food coloring
Mix all salts & baking soda together. Then combine oil, essential
oils, vitamin E & a few drops of coloring in a separate bowl. Add
liquid to salts and mix thoroughly. You can add more green
food-coloring if desired, but I find it nicer when it's a very light
green as it does not look as artificial. To use: Add a few heaping
tablespoons to bath.

**Nightmare** · 04-24-2008, 02:46 PM

Basic Sea Salt Scrub: Combine one cup of basic sea salt to half a cup of almond oil. Make sure that the sea salt is finely ground, since coarse grains can cause harm to the skin. Gently rub the body scrub over the hands and the legs and massage gently in circular motion to exfoliate the dead skin. Take a dip in the tub for a while and rinse with a hydrating shower gel.

Walnut and Honey Scrub: Ground a cup of walnuts and add to it three tablespoon of honey and three tablespoon of fresh milk. Gently scrub over the body to exfoliate the dead skin with walnuts and nourish the skin with the goodness of milk and honey. This body scrub is works great in winters as well since it cleanses and moisturizes the body without being too harsh on the skin.

Exotic Coffee Scrub: Take 1 cup of finely ground coffee and add half a cup of fresh yogurt to it. Gently rub the paste onto your body and massage in circular motion. This body scrub will not require a moisturizing treatment afterwards since the yogurt makes the skin soft and supple. After the exfoliation have a warm water shower or a dip in the tub to discover the goodness of this body scrub.

Refreshing Mint Scrub: Take a cup of fresh mint leaves and a cup of yogurt and blend it using a mixer or a blender. Add ½ cup of finely ground chickpeas and form a uniform paste. Gently scrub the mixture over your body and rinse off with a hot water bath. The chickpea flour helps exfoliate your skin, the yogurt nourishes it and the mint refreshes it. This is a truly refreshing and vitalizing body scrub.

Sweet Chocolate Scrub: Mix one cup of cocoa butter and ½ cup fine sugar to form a chocolate scrub. Gently scrub it over the hands, legs and the entire body to exfoliate with the sugar. The sugar exfoliates the skin as the cocoa butter nourishes it and makes you feel good with the aroma of cocoa. This is a perfectly pampering body scrub that you can try over the weekend!