Christmas is the time when we most need to take a little extra soothing care of ourselves in order to fully enjoy this festive holiday season. There is nothing more soothing and relaxing than a herbal bath to calm those rattled nerves. Here are some ideas and recipes that make perfect gift giving, and are oh so appreciated! But, make sure to make extra, to treat yourself too!
(For more herbal recipes for herbal baths, homemade cosmetics and hair preparations, herbal food recipes, and favorite gift giving ideas from your kitchen, and more……check the out ‘Category‘ section of betweenclosefriend.com)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
To make Fragrant Bath Salts:
1. Fill several wide-mouth jars no more than half full with Epsom salts.
2. Add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice to each jar, and a drop of an appropriate food colouring. (Rose, lavender, Lemon, hyacinth, and gardenia are good scents to use for these bath salts. For their associated healing properties see the Herbal Bath Preparations’ category)
3. Stir the Epson salts with the oil and food colouring until the color is well mixed, pressing the salts against the edge of the jar with the back of a spoon.
These Fragrant Bath Salts look very pretty when they are packaged in the small spice jars available at most discount and dollar stores. For gift giving, tie a matching coloured ribbon around the neck of the jar to add a festive decorating touch. Also, attach both a small wooden teaspoon (for measuring the bath salts into your bath), and a small fancy card with the following instructions for bath salt use : Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of bath salts over the hot water in the bathtub. Hop in and relax!
These make wonderful thoughtful Christmas (or anytime), gifts.
To make a Soothing Bath Brew to relieve aching muscles and joints, combine the following in a large bowl:
12 ½ c fresh bay leaves, crushed (to relieve your aching muscles)
1½ cups sage leaves, crushed (helps your joints and muscles)
2 c fresh rosemary leaves, bruised (to relieve any stiff joints)
1 cup lavender (for that comforting fragrance)
1 cup patchouli (for a subtle fragrance)
1 cup calendula ( to soothe and add a pretty colour)
After thoroughly mixing everything together, store in large lidded jars, a decorative box, or make into individual gifts, attatching a fancy card with the following instructions:
1. Cover ½ cup of the mixed herbs with boiling water and steep for 20 minutes.
2. Strain, reserving the liquid and herbs separately.
3. Place the liquid in your bathwater and the herbs in a bath bag made out of muslin, cheesecloth or a piece of rough terrytowel, sewing it shut.
4. Use your herb bag to srub your body, for invigoration, after relaxing and soaking in your soothing fragrant tub for 15 to 20 minutes.
To make Scented Bath Crystals, use:
Coarse rock salt (available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and most department stores)
Food coloring (assorted colours to visually enhance your chosen scent)
An Essential oil of your choice (see ‘Three methods of preparing Herbal Baths’ for guidance in choosing an appropriate oil to meet your needs in the ‘Herbal Bath Preparations’ category of betweenclosefriend.com)
1. Place the rock salt in a lidded container.
2. To each cup of salt, add 2 or 3 drops of colouring.
3. Mix with a spoon or shake well to combine and colour the salt. Add 2 or 3 more drops of coloring at a time, and continue mixing until desired color is reached.
4. To the colored crystals, add 20 to 25 drops of your choice of essential oils, mixing or shaking the jar well until the oils are thoroughly mixed with the salt and absorbed.
5. You can display your Scented Bath Crystal salts in a pretty lidded glass jar, decorating with festive ribbons or cloth over the lid.
Keep the jar tightly closed or the oil will quickly evaporate.
For gift giving, tie a festive Christmas ribbon around the jar, attaching both a small wooden spoon and a fancy card with the following instructions written on it: Use 1 or 2 heaping tablespoons for bathwater or hot tub.
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