Ahhh, a bath… While the world spins around outside, few things soak up life’s stresses from our minds and bodies as surely as a wonderful warm bath (even in summer).
The Greek father of natural medicine Hippocrates was a big encourager of drinking water (to cure a headache, for example) and he was an avid proponent of hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy too, using sea water and marine elements to boost health and healing.
The Romans shared the ancient Greeks’ love of water, as well, building thermal baths and SPAs (“sanus per aquam” or health via water) which wounded soldiers often used to build back their own health and recover from injuries.
Yet somewhere along the way, the spa culture and the art of bathing began to fade. Bathing became more or less merely a way of cleansing the body or perhaps treat skin diseases with sulphur rich water.
Fast forward to 1886, and Bavarian priest Sebastian Kneipp published “My Water Cure” thirty-six years after beating tuberculosis by just a whisker (he fell sick during his priesthood studies and according to records, was visited by doctors about a hundred times during a period of two years).
His nature’s medicine cabinet approach (hydrotherapy / phytotherapy / exercise / nutrition (plant-based, even way back then) / balance) was challenged by scientists but Kneipp was 100% convinced that nature is our best cure.
Today, the products and brand that bear his name have become synonymous with the benefits of bathing, including these Kneipp products which I use (especially in winter):
– Arnica Bath Salts for muscle issues
– Valerian & Hops Salts to help us sleep
– Pine & Fir for clearer breathing
– Lavender to calm the mind and nerves
– Eucalyptus Bath Oil to decongest the head and lungs during a cold
Breathe deep and let it all go…
Water (and especially salt-infused warm water) has a profound ability to soothe our souls. It’s comfortingly familiar (from our time in the womb), grounding yet fluid, gentle yet powerful.
Whether you’re steeped in grief, knotted by stress, have had a challenging day/week and just need to “re-set” or – often the big one – sleep escapes you like a late night bedroom mosquito on the first day of your holiday, try adding magnesium, Epsom, Dead Sea or Himalayan Salts to a warm but not too hot bath along with the essential oil of your choice.
I like revitalising, mind-cleansing peppermint, pine or rosemary, grounding frankincense, stress-soothing lavender, rose or geranium or for a mood boost, orange, bergamot and grapefruit but I’m going to experiment with “less obvious” essential oils, I think, and try some new blends when it gets cooler.
BATHE – THE ART OF FINDING REST, RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION IN A BUSY WORLD (by Suzanne Duckett)
There’s a beautiful book about the history of bathing which is a treat to read (and implement), that reveals why we find bathing and the rituals that go with it so deeply comforting.
Few people could write about the art of the bath better than journalist Suzanne Duckett, and she shares the bliss in her wonderful book: “BATHE – The Art of Finding Rest, Relaxation and Rejuvenation in a Busy World”
“Purity, Ritual, Rejuvenation, Clarity and Calm – Bathe is a beautiful and timely book celebrating the art of bathing”
You can read more about this lovely book “Bathe” on Amazon.co.uk HERE
A bath, though, is only as magical as what you put into it, so here are some ideas:
REN – Moroccan Rose Bath Oil
GAIA SKINCARE – Bath & Body Oil duo
TREVARNO – lavender, geranium & palmarosa Bath & Body Oil
LIBERTY OF LONDON – Basil, Mint & Thyme Artisan Soap
NESTI DANTE – Il Frutteto citron & bergamot soap (this Florence-based brand has been making soap for over 60 years)
WELEDA FEEL GOOD SHOWER – very zesty, doubles as a bath or shower treat, starring ginger, citronella & cedarwood
ELEMENTAL HERBOLOGY – one for all the citrus lovers: grapefruit & mandarin Hand & Body Wash
DR HAUSCHKA – Sage Purifying Bath Essence (if you’re not familiar with this wonderful range, check out the other bath essences that capture the healing, natural aromatic power of Mother Nature)
THE ORGANIC PHARMACY – for when your heart misses the sea – Detoxifying Seaweed Bath Soak
The Art of Bathing
Ocean blue + seaweed green hues and a lovely touch of nerve-soothing geranium (extra points for the recyclable, reusable glass bottle)
A date for the diary
Check back on Friday 17 July for this year’s 2020 Beauty Shortlist Mama & Baby Awards winners (including some gorgeous bath-centric gifts!)