Who could say no to a nice long bath after a stressful and hectic day at work? For many people, taking a relaxing dip in the tub is a perfect way to unwind. But did you know that it could also be a moment for healing and energy?
Level up your self-care game by using some healthy and organic products during bath time. Start with an essential oil and see how it can transform an ordinary bath into a personal spa.
Some people have the impression that essential oils can only be used with diffusers or that it is mostly used for massages. Not a lot of people know that essential oils can also be added to bathwater.
Now, you might be wondering why adding drops of essential oils to your tub is a good idea so we’ve collected some of the reasons why. Read on below to find out:
Why You Should Add Essential Oil to Your Bath
Adding essential oils can be beneficial to your physical and mental health. As you may have already known, essential oils are proven to contain plenty of medicinal properties and it is also often used as a mood enhancer as well.
Of course, this does not mean that you should always add essential oils to your bath every single day. But for those special moments when you just want to sit back and relax, it is a great idea to try them out and make the most out of the precious time you have to enjoy.
Benefit from Aromatherapy
Essential oils were previously called aromatic oils in the past. Due to their natural fragrances, it is obvious that these oils would be used as perfumes or deodorants. But at some time in history, man has also discovered that its aroma can also affect one’s mood.
When you’re feeling overworked and unmotivated due to a hard day at work, try using an essential oil in the bath to lift your spirits up.
Essential oils like rosemary and lemon have a refreshing scent that can increase your focus and boost your energy at the same time. We’ve provided a list of the best essential oils for the bath below, pick your favorite one and enjoy.
Baths Are Healthy – Essential Oils Can Make It Healthier
Did you know that warm baths are actually healthy for you? It is actually highly recommended for cancer patients as well.
A normal healthy human being has a maintained body temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, people who suffer from certain chronic illnesses have a basal body temperature a lot lower than the normal rate. In fact, such a low temperature can even decrease immune functions by 20%.
Soaking one’s body in warm water doesn’t just raise its temperature, it can also improve the body’s immune functions and also support the regulation of pH levels.
Now that we know how beneficial a bath can be, why not add a few drops of essential oil to power it up?
Essential oils were used as medicine in the past due to its numerous healing properties.
If you feel like you are about to catch a cold or perhaps you are feeling a little bit sore all over, try using tea tree oil or lavender oil. Both of which are proven to help kill bacteria while allowing you to relax your muscles at the same time.
It’s Good For Your Skin
Essential oils can also be used when applied topically. Some of them make a great cure for many skin problems such as itchiness, redness, swelling, and it can even help heal wounds.
If you do not like the texture of lotions or creams, or perhaps you are looking to find more ways to use essential oils on your skin, try adding them to your bathwater.
Adding them to your bath allows your skin to be soaked in the oils a lot longer than simply rubbing it into your skin.
Essential oils like geranium and carrot seed oil have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They are great for fighting acne, itchiness, and can also help reduce scars.
Both of them also contain antioxidants which promote skin cell regeneration.
Find More Pleasure during Me Time
Last but not least, use essential oils during your bath time just to make your me time a lot more pleasurable. By having plenty of choices to choose from and the idea of creating your own mixtures, you are giving yourself more reason to enjoy your relaxation time.
Proper Use of Essential Oils for Bath
Before we get down to the list of best essential oils for the bath, it is very important to first learn about the proper use of these oils.
As a general rule of thumb, essential oils should only be used sparingly. A few drops should go a long way. A high dosage of essential oils may not only be unpleasant but it may also be harmful to your skin as well.
Below are some tips and tricks on how to use essential oils for the bath.
Shower Gel
The easiest and most convenient way to use essential oil in the bath is by adding a few drops of the oil to a shower gel. Add about 5 drops to a tablespoon of shower gel for best results. The shower gel serves as a protective layer that will help prevent the onset of skin irritation.
The best part about using a shower gel is that it is easy to apply to the skin and it also makes it very easy to clean the tub compared to using a carrier oil.
Carrier Oil
When using essential oils, it is also important to add the drops to a carrier oil – whether you are going to apply it to your skin or adding it to the bathwater.
As you may already know, oil and water do not mix well. This means that your essential oil will not be dispersed well without the use of a carrier oil. And because the oil did not disperse well, the undiluted essential oil will stick to your skin and may even cause skin irritation.
To avoid this, simply add 5 drops of essential oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil. You may also use castile soap as an alternative to the carrier oil.
Salt
If you are a fan of bath salts, you will also love this option. Bath salts can add more minerals and nutrients to your bath. It is recommended to use Himalayan pink salt but any kind of natural salt will do as well.
To make your own essential oil bath salt, simply add 2-3 drops of your chosen essential oil to 28-56 grams of salt. Don’t forget to add a bit of jojoba oil as a carrier.
See Also: 11 Health Benefits of Dead Sea Salt
8 Best Essential Oils for Bath
Now that we’ve learned how to use essential oils correctly, let’s have a look at some of our favorite essential oils for the bath.
The essential oils in this list have various medicinal uses but they were chosen primarily due to their powerful healing abilities and for their unique fragrances as well. If you like to experiment with new scents often, we recommend that you try these out:
1. Red Mandarin
If you enjoy warm citrusy aromas in the bath, the red mandarin essential oil is a great option for you. Also known as Tangor and Temple Orange, this essential oil is best used for lifting up your mood and as a form of stress relief.
The red mandarin is also known to aid you towards better sleeping habits and it also makes a great skin care concoction.
The red mandarin essential oil can be used topically and of course, it is also great for using in the bath. Again, it is best to use this oil sparingly. Please refer to the general instructions we have provided in the paragraph above.
2. Spearmint
Spearmint oil is a classic choice of essential oil. Just like its other minty counterparts, peppermint, and eucalyptus, spearmint oil also provides a long-lasting cooling effect.
However, it is a lot milder and sweeter than both peppermint and eucalyptus, making it the better option for those who have sensitive skin.
Just like the red mandarin, spearmint oil is best used as a pick-me-up. Add this to your bath water if you would like to gain more focus and to feel re-energized.
3. Lemongrass
Another great citrus scent is from the lemongrass oil. This oil should not be confused with lemon essential oil just because both are citrus and it bears the word ‘lemon’ in its name.
Lemongrass has an entirely unique scent. While lemon is best used as a mood enhancer, lemongrass oil is primarily used for skin health. If you are suffering from skin issues, add this oil to your bathwater.
4. Sandalwood
If floral or fruity scents aren’t your thing, you might want to try an aromatic wood instead. Sandalwood, as the name suggests, is an oil derived from a fragrant wood and it has a warm and sweet smell. It is also said that the wood’s fragrance can last many years.
Sandalwood has been used for many decades in various different ways. But it is best used as a support for skin health. Using sandalwood can cure most skin imperfections while promoting a healthy skin complexion at the same time.
5. Bergamot
Bergamot is another citrus variation of essential oil. But compared to other citrus scents, the bergamot is perhaps the most subtle and gentle of them all. One great thing about this oil is the fact that it is multi-purpose.
Not only is it proven to be great for the skin, bergamot can also help in relieving stress and anxiety. It is also a natural mood enhancer, a relaxing aroma that can brighten your mood while calming you down as well.
6. Cypress
If you like the smell of the forest, perhaps you will also enjoy the cypress essential oil. This oil is derived from the evergreen trees and it has a fresh and clean aroma – not too strong and yet not too subtle as well.
This oil has a great effect on one’s mood, making it the best oil to use when you are feeling powerful emotions such as anger or sadness. To top it all off, this oil is also great for the bath as it promotes the overall health of one’s skin.
7. Ylang-Ylang
The ylang-ylang is an exotic bloom that is located in the rainforests of Southeast Asian locations and the Pacific Islands. The ylang-ylang has a strong floral scent, making it the best option for those who love the scent of exotic flowers, especially flowers like jasmine.
The great thing about the ylang-ylang is the fact that it is great for releasing tension in the body.
Whether you are feeling anxious or if you have any tense muscles, this oil can help alleviate both physical and mental issues. Plus, its oil also contains plenty of nutrients that are healthy for one’s skin and hair.
8. Pink Grapefruit
If you love fun, fruity scents you will definitely love the pink grapefruit. This oil is known for its refreshing and invigorating scent, perfect for regaining focus and motivation after a tiring day.
The pink grapefruit is also popular for its cleansing properties, making it one of the best oils for stripping away bacteria from the skin.
Another great thing about the pink grapefruit oil is that it also helps boost the immune system. If you feel like you are coming down with a cold, this oil is can help prevent its onset.
Conclusion
When used properly, using essential oils in the bath can definitely enhance your experience. Soaking in the tub for a few minutes at the end of the day is oftentimes the only moment of relaxation we have for ourselves.
Why not make the best of it by making it a moment for us to improve our health as well? It’s much like going to a gym without all the heavy work.
Using essential oils can help us take care of our bodies better. After all, the very reason why we are taking so much time in the tub is for self-care purposes anyway.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
