We are all known to have sought comfort from a warm relaxing bath at some point or another. A simple ritual dating back to ancient times, different cultures across the globe have used the humble bath to treat a multitude of ailments. A warm bath can instantly soothe your senses, relax sore & tired muscles and boost blood circulation. But have you considered how you can target particular concerns by adding a ‘healing substance’ to your bath?

A soak with essential oils

A simple and effective way to enhance the medicinal value of your bath is by adding essential oils. Good quality oils are now readily available on the high street from reputable health stores and even online specialists. Each oil has its own healing profile, so with proper research and advice, you can target very specific conditions with the right blend of oils. We’ve summarised a few of our personal favourites, which have been tried and tested by soapNskin HQ…

If you’re suffering from anxiety or feeling stressed you can enhance your bath’s therapeutic properties by simply adding a few drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender has been used for over 2000 years to soothe and relax nerves, instantly helping you feel calm and collected, while also promoting a good night’s sleep. Geranium oil is also known to have properties that help to reduce anxiety. The perfect oil to add to your bath if your suffering from a cold and congestion is eucalyptus oil. Not only does it promote alertness, perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather, but it also breaks up any congestion.

Relieve Itching

If you suffer from itchy skin there are a number of ingredients, most of which can be found in your kitchen cupboards, that you can add to your bath to help relieve symptoms. Bicarbonate of soda is wonderfully soothing for itchy skin. Simply add a cup in a full bath and relax, you’ll notice instant relief. I’ve tried and tested this on my own children when they had chickenpox – half a cup in a shallow bath is the ideal ratio for children.

Oats have been a regular skin saviour for itchy rashes like eczema in our household for many years. Simply add a cupful of plain porridge oats tied in muslin cloth to a lukewarm bath and let it float in the water while you soak. Not only do the oats help to relieve the itch but they also cleanse because they contain natural saponins which gently remove dirt and excess oils from pores, leaving your skin clean and soft without drying it. Just be mindful when trying to get out of the bath as oats can make the bath tub very slippery!

Salts

The healing nature of a salt bath are well known thanks to the recent fascination with natural cures and remedies. Dating back 1000s of years, bathing in salt was favoured because of its numerous cosmetic and medicinal properties. Cleopatra, herself, was known to bathe in the mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea. Historically, salt water has been used to treat everything from sore, tired muscles to skin irritation such as psoriasis and eczema. This ancient bath remedy has stood the test of time, as modern science now confirms the health benefits of having a salt bath. From all of the salts baths options available, many argue that Himalayan salt baths reign supreme. Rich in 84 natural minerals these pink salts not only relieve tired and sore muscles, but they also help to detoxify the body by drawing out harmful toxins from the skin. We've blended our Himalayan salts with essential oils and dried flowers to really pack a healing punch into the quality of your bath.

We admit that these can be difficult and sometimes expensive to get hold of, but are definitely worth incorporating into you bathing ritual. Epsom salts are a great cheaper alternative and are particularly useful for sprains and sports injuries.

We would recommend that you do a patch test before trying any of the above if you suffer from sensitive skin. If you are pregnant or on medication, always consult your doctor before trying any of the above remedies.