The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More - Arin Murphy-Hiscock 2017

Regenerating Baths and Bath Salts
Become a Natural Healer
Walking the Green Path

A bath is a magical thing. Water itself is a healing and soothing element, and when you add a potion to it you can create a wide range of effects.

To avoid having leaves and stems and other little bits of green matter floating around in your tub and clogging the drain, you can make an infusion or a decoction and pour it into your bathwater. You can also put a couple of spoonfuls of an herbal blend inside an old sock or stocking, tie a knot in it, and toss it in under the running water as you fill the tub. The result in an infusion brewed directly in your bath. Remove the sock or stocking before you get in, or leave it to further strengthen the infusion while you bathe. When you remove it, hang it up and allow it to dry, then undo the knot and turn it inside out to brush away the dried herbal matter. You can reuse the sock or stocking. Alternatively, you can make a reusable bath sachet by sewing two washcloths together on three sides, leaving the top open. Sew 12 inches of ribbon or string to one side seam about one third of the way down. Place your spoonfuls of dried or fresh herbs inside (no more than ¹/₂ cup), then gather the open end and tie the pouch closed by wrapping the ribbon or string around it firmly and tying a bow. You can hang this bath sachet under the faucet as the water runs or toss it in and allow it to soak.

You can also use oils in your bath. If you are using essential oils, make sure you use only three drops total. Any more can irritate your skin or overwhelm your system. Remember, essential oils are concentrated extracts that carry chemicals. It’s easy to overdose on them. If you prefer to bathe with lots of oil, blend those three drops into a quarter cup of a carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil, then pour all the oil into your bath. I recommend that you do this with both essential and perfume oils because your skin may be sensitive to both. Adding a few drops to a carrier oil makes for a safer bathing experience.

For a different sort of bath, blend the drops of oil into 1 cup of milk and pour that into the running water.

BATH SALTS

Bath salts are a lovely way to relax and absorb magical energy at the same time. Salt is a naturally purifying substance that also helps relax tense muscles. When a bath salt recipe calls for salt, however, it doesn’t mean table salt. Epsom salts, sea salt, kosher salt, or a combination should be used. You can buy sea salt at natural food stores and many grocery stores. You can buy kosher salt at grocery stores or Jewish specialty shops. Epsom salts can be found at your pharmacy.

Other additives to homemade bath salts include powdered milk, vegetable food coloring, powdered herbs, and crystals or stones. If you add oil, you have a salt scrub.

You can blend and store your bath salts in mason jars, but remember that the salt can corrode the metal lids. Look for jars with glass lids fitted with plastic seals, jars with snap-down lids, or jars with cork tops. Never store bath salts in a metal tin or it will rust, and be aware that a plastic container will tend to absorb the scent of the salts, which makes it difficult to reuse.

In general, use 1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup of these salts in your bath. If you prefer a lot of salt in your bath, increase the amount slowly to make sure you don’t irritate your skin or system.

BASIC BATH SALT RECIPE

Use this recipe as a basis for your own magical bath salts. You can use any combination of sea salt, Epsom salts, and kosher salt.

Makes 4 cups (32 ounces)

✵ 2 cups sea salt or other salts

✵ 2 cups baking soda

✵ Glass jar with tight-fitting lid, large enough to hold 32 ounces

1. Combine ingredients in blender or food processor. Blend until combined and reduced to a fine powder.

2. Store in a tightly lidded jar.

3. To use, pour ¹/₂ cup of the salts into the bath under running water.

To this basic recipe you can add any or all of the following:

✵ 3-5 drops of essential oil(s)

✵ 2 teaspoons of finely ground dried herbs

✵ 1-3 drops of food coloring

✵ If your skin tends to be dry, add 1 teaspoon liquid glycerin (available in drugstores) to moisturize your skin.

✵ 1 part finely ground oatmeal

✵ ¹/₂ part finely ground almonds

PROSPERITY BATH SALTS

Use this recipe when you feel you need to boost your personal prosperity energy.

Makes 2 ¹/₂ cups (20 ounces)

✵ 1 cup sea salt

✵ 1 cup Epsom salts

✵ Glass jar with tight-fitting lid, large enough to hold 20 ounces

✵ 3 drops orange oil

✵ 2 drops cinnamon oil OR 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

✵ ¹/₄ cup ground mint leaves

✵ 3 drops green vegetable food coloring (optional)

1. Place the salts in a blender or food processor and blend to combine and reduce to a fine powder. Pour the salts into the jar and cap it. Shake to combine the salts.

2. Open the jar again. Add the drops of oil and the ground herbs. Cap the jar and shake well to blend.

3. If using food coloring, open the jar and add 3 drops. Cap and shake well to blend. Be aware that a little food coloring goes a long way; don’t add much. If you want the color darker, add 1—2 more drops and blend again. The color is added simply to enhance the prosperity energy of the other ingredients. If you associate another color with prosperity, then by all means substitute it.

4. To use, pour ¹/₂ cup of the salts into your bath under running water.

MILK BATHS

There’s something remarkably luxurious about adding milk to your bathwater. Milk has a wonderfully softening action on the skin. Do not, however, use milk baths if you are sensitive to dairy products.

The simplest recipe for a milk bath is to take 1 cup of whole milk (don’t use skim or even partially skim milk) and pour it into your bathwater. For extra softening action, add 1 tablespoon of honey to the cup of milk and swirl it about to disperse it before pouring it into the water. If you like, you can warm the milk up first to help blend in the honey: heat the honey-milk mixture in the microwave for 1 minute. You can also add a few drops of oil to the warm milk before pouring it into your bath. Swirling to combine the oil with the milk helps disperse the oil throughout the bathwater, instead of just letting it float on the surface of the water.

If you want to make milk bath powders ahead of time and store them, use powdered milk. When you add a scoop to your bathwater, it dissolves and functions just like fresh milk.

OATMEAL MILK BATH

The combination of oatmeal, a known skin softener, and milk in this bath blend makes for a deliciously soothing soak. Try it if you’re sunburned or to soften rough skin. You can also add herbs or a couple of drops of oil to the following recipe.

Makes 4 cups (32 ounces)

✵ 1 cup cornstarch

✵ 2 cups milk powder

✵ 1 cup dry oatmeal

✵ Glass jar with tight-fitting lid, large enough to hold 32 ounces

1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend to combine until reduced to a fine powder. Pour into jar.

2. To use, sprinkle ¹/₂ cup of the dry bath blend under the tap while running your bath.

HERBAL MILK BATH

This basic and simple milk bath is an excellent base for any herbal addition, making it adaptable to any magical need. For extra softening, you can use the Oatmeal Milk Bath as a base.

Makes 3 cups (24 ounces)

✵ 1 cup cornstarch

✵ 2 cups milk powder

✵ 2 tablespoons dry herbs

✵ Glass jar with tight-fitting lid, large enough to hold 24 ounces

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until combined and reduced to a fine powder. Pour into jar.

2. To use, add ¹/₂ cup of powder to bath under running water.

Here are some suggested herbal blends to add to milk baths:

✵ Winter Energy Bath: nutmeg, cinnamon, pinch of ginger

✵ Summer Garden Bath: lavender, roses, verbena, pinch of orange zest

✵ Autumn Bronze Bath: poppy, nutmeg, sandalwood

✵ Spring Dawn Bath: lavender, jasmine, apple blossom