Essential Oils: Which Ones Are Good To Use In Your Bath?
Relaxation Station
We all know that one person who owns about a thousand essential oils and hails them as the cure to every ailment under the sun.
A question many of us have asked ourselves at times is; do essential oils actually have restorative or relaxing properties? The answer is yes! If the correct essential oils are used in the right amounts and with the proper processes, they can have a very relaxing effect after a long and stressful day. Using essential bath oils is a natural and safe way to help yourself unwind before bed, to relax sore and tense muscles, or just to take a little “you” time if your life feels like it’s running away with you.
So which essential oils are best to use in a bath for relaxation purposes and which are best to avoid? Join us as we take a look at what’s what in the world of essential oils and give you some tips for your relaxation time.
Essential Oils To Add To Your Bath
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most loved essential oils for its proven mood-boosting and relaxation effects. The scent is gentle and not at all overpowering, and it induces a calm that other oils can never quite replicate. Lavender is also used to promote deeper sleep. Lavender appears in many forms; teas, creams, and of course, pure essential oils that you can drip into your bath for a deliciously scented, relaxing soak. Lavender also tackles pain and inflammation, so if you’ve had an intense workout or you’re struggling with sore muscles, then take a lavender bath! If you’ve got a bad headache or migraine, half an hour of either soaking in a lavender bath or diffusing lavender oil into the air in your room can help with that too.
Lemon Oil
Lemon is another favorite oil for many reasons. Lemon, as well as other citrus oils, consistently show positive, mood-boosting effects as well as having excellent antiseptic and antifungal properties. We know how much lemon helps keep the surfaces clean in our houses; a dose of natural lemon on your skin has a similar effect. Lemon oil’s antimicrobial, astringent and detoxifying abilities boost our immune system functions, so a lemon oil bath is a wonderful idea if you’re feeling under the weather. While lemon and citrus oils have great effects, they can also make your skin quite sensitive to the sun, so be sure to get all traces of essential oil off of your skin before heading outdoors.
Eucalyptus
While its strong and crisp scent isn’t for everyone, eucalyptus oil has a wide range of excellent properties that you might want to exploit. If the aroma alone is too strong for you, add some sweet orange oil to soften it a little. Breathing in eucalyptus-infused steam does wonders for closed-up chests or nasal passages, so if your sinuses are bothering you, just hop into a eucalyptus bath! Eucalyptus is present in large quantities in treatments like Vicks Vaporub, but it is diluted enough that the oil doesn’t irritate your skin. Be careful of overusing this oil in your baths, as it can become an irritant if the skin is exposed directly to it too often. Eucalyptus also acts against joint and muscle pains and is often used in aromatherapy massage treatments. You’ll need to conduct an allergy or spot test before embarking on a eucalyptus journey, as it’s a fairly common allergy. Don’t let your pets into the bathroom if you have eucalyptus in the water, as this oil is very bad for animals. Do not bathe in this oil if you are pregnant.
Other Options
Chamomile, while being a much softer scent than most, also has wonderful calming properties and is excellent in a bath. You could try other citrus oils like grapefruit or orange for an uplifting soak.
Tips
A dilution rate of 1 percent essential oil to 4 percent carrier oil is recommended when mixing oils for your bath. Vegetable oil typically makes the best carrier oil. In a bath, you should blend 5 to 20 drops of essential oil (depending on how strong you like the scent) with a tablespoon of carrier oil such as jojoba, almond, grapeseed, or argan oil.
Wrap Up
Now that you know what’s what in the world of essential oils, what are you waiting for? Pick out your favorites and run yourself a relaxing bath after your workday. Soak in the natural goodness, and you’ll see what all the fuss is about.
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