Keep Warm During Winter With Aromatherapy Bath Soaks

It may not be snowing outside at the moment, but the constant rain and chilly winds certainly drives home the fact winter is here.

During the winter weather I like to pamper myself a bit from time to time, and usually qualify my actions with a declaration along the lines of ‘I work hard, so I deserve it’. I heartily recommend that you do the same!

However, when it’s raining and freezing cold outside you won’t feel much like rushing off to a beauty salon, especially if your credit card is maxed-out from all the Christmas shopping. So if you don’t want pay too much right now I can recommend something that is just as luxurious and indulgent as a beauty treatment, but an experience that comes at a much cheaper price.

I’m taking about luxurious aromatherapy bath soaks to keep you pampered and warm in winter! What could be more therapeutic (or easier) on a dark, depressing winter day than a long, lavish soak in a bath-tub infused with your favourite essential oils? The therapeutic oils help to relax, revive and rejuvenate the mind and body in a way that no salon treatment can.

And don’t think that soaking in the bath is something we do purely to clean ourselves, it’s a ritual that many of us practice in the search for some serious rejuvenation and relaxation. Let’s face it, when the miserable wet winter weather gets you down there is no nicer way to escape from everything than by taking a long, hot aromatherapy bath containing relaxing and revitalizing essential oils.

The water cure

Nobody recognised the health benefits of regular bathing more than the ancient Greeks and Romans. They truly understood and appreciated the powerful therapeutic healing properties of plain water and took advantage of this at every available opportunity. As history records, the Romans developed the art of bathing into a national pastime by building highly sophisticated public baths known as Thermae where people would spend hours socialising while enjoying a therapeutic hot bath.

The unique healing art of water therapy is now being revived thanks to the availability of health-enhancing essential oils and other natural aromatherapy bath products that can be added to the whole experience. And you can easily turn a plain old bathroom into your very own healing sanctuary just by using your essential oils along with a few simple mood-setting accessories. Put it all together and you will have the perfect way to keep warm and healthy during the cold winter weather!

Aromatherapy bath blends

If you tend to have cold hands and feet during winter then the ideal oils to choose from include black pepper, cardamon, ginger, juniper berry, marjoram and rosemary, since they are all warming and stimulating. You only require 2 oils from this list to help get your circulation moving again, leaving a 3rd choice of an oil that helps you relax, such as lavender or geranium.

For a normal sized bath you only need to use a total of 6 to 8 drops of essential oils; for example 3 drops of lavender, 3 drops of ginger, and 2 drops of black pepper. Generally speaking, adding more drops of oil is not necessarily better for achieving the desired result, and it may irritate your skin.

To make a soothing and calming aromatherapy bath add two drops each of ylang ylang, lavender and bergamot essential oils to the tub, and you’ll feel the reviving effect lifting you above all thoughts of gloomy weather and other troubles. Another effective recipe is an equal blend of geranium, lavender and sandalwood essential oils that combines to smells absolutely heavenly and is balancing and deeply relaxing.

Likewise, combining Roman chamomile, lavender and sweet marjoram makes a wonderfully soothing and comforting blend that’s perfect at this time of year. Any recipe containing either rose, neroli or jasmine is bound to be deliciously calming, but if you do not have any of these oils don’t worry, because there are plenty of other relaxing ones to choose from instead.

Citrus essential oils such as bergamot, grapefruit, orange or mandarin can also be added to a blend since they are wonderfully refreshing, uplifting, and revitalizing. However, take care not to add more than 2 drops of a citrus oil since it may irritate your skin. To ensure you don’t encounter this issue always use an essential oil dispersant to spread the oils evenly on the surface of the water before stepping into the bath.

Soothe aches and pains

If your legs and feet are tired after a strenuous day at work try a warming and soothing blend of of sweet marjoram, cardamon and rosemary to quickly bring warming relief and ease the discomfort. These essentials oils are great for easing aches and pains in an aromatherapy bath, but they will work equally well in a simple foot-soak too if you don’t have the time to enjoy a long soak in the tub.

Sitting hunched over a computer for hours on end can play havoc with your shoulders and back, so to help ease the stiffness and aching mix a blend of Roman chamomile, ginger and lavender in your bath. If you just need a reviver to clear your head after too many hours on your laptop, a mix of grapefruit, geranium and melissa helps to recharge and refresh those overworked brain cells while bringing a warm glow to your body too.

You can exchange any of these essential oils for your particular favourites, since it’s just a case of finding what works best for you to to enjoy a lovely warming and comforting aromatherapy bath. It really is the perfect remedy for a cold winter day! Be sure to take note of how many drops of each oil you use in your blends so that when you find one you really like you will be able to reproduce it again.

Sound and light

Relaxing music and the flicker of candlelight creates a lovely relaxing atmosphere and really enhances the whole experience of an aromatherapy bath, so choose the music according to your mood before running your bath. To complete the relaxing ambience, light a few candles or small votives around the bath, and you will soon begin to forget about the cold winter weather outside.

Choose the essential oils you want according to your mood and add them to your bath after running the water. Adding your oils too early can be wasteful since a large proportion will evaporate before you even get into the bath. So put your drops of oil in the bath just before stepping in, and don’t forget to use an essential oil dispersant to dissolve the oils evenly into the water.

Never underestimate the therapeutic power of an aromatherapy bath, since it is one of the finest (and easiest) ways to enjoy all the healing benefits essential oils can bring – especially during the freezing cold, wet winter weather!

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2023. Written by Sue Charles

Tags: aromatherapy bath, essential oils, rejuvenating