How To Prepare Herbal Baths

On Sundays, my rhythm is to prepare an herbal bath for myself and the kids. We take turns soaking in the hot herbal sanctuary. The scented steam of rose, chamomile, lavender, and marjoram fills my house.

My life is more peaceful, calmer when I collect, brew, ingest and soak in the delicate yet profound essence of plants. Their absence is noted, when I am too busy to make a cup of tea, or pick roses to dry.

To prepare an herbal bath:

I combine whatever fresh herbs are growing in my yard at the time, for example today I have rose, lavender, marjoram, spearmint, dried St johns wort I foraged, wilted calendula and store bought dried comfrey.

I put them all in a pot and fill with water. I bring the tea to boil and let simmer for about 1 hour.

I draw a bath, add some essential oils such as lavender and chamomile. When the bath is full, I bring my pot of herbal tea and a strainer. I strain the tea as I pour it into my bath. and voila, a most marvelous soak.

The bath will cheer up even the most grumpy baby.

Do share your favorite herbs.

How to Make Your Own After Sun and Burn Lotion

Aloe vera and lavender calms and heals burns. The Aloe vera is soothing and cool and the lavender just smells so good. I love to use it on my sunburns after a day in the sun.

What you need:

Aloe Vera Gel

Lavender Essential Oil

Container

Fill the container with the aloe vera gel. I buy my aloe vera gel in bulk from Eureka's local herb store.  I like to use a peri bottle as a dispenser, however the bottle top does not seal, so its not really travel friendly.  The peri bottle infuses the air with lavender, so I keep it out within easy reach of my nose.

Add the lavender essential oil. I estimate the volume of lavender based on the strenght of the fragrance.  I usually add about 40 drops to 8 oz of aloe. I will keep adding the lavender to the aloe until the smell of lavender is pleasing to me.

Shake, label and smother, you have now a burn and after sun lotion.

How To Prepare Lavender, Chamomile and Rose Infused Oil

Lavender, chamomile and rose are very helpful for alleviating stress and depression. I found this combination effective for combating postpartum depression. The infused oil can be added to any carrier oil or directly applied to face and body.

 

I start by collecting fresh rose, chamomile and lavender if I can. I put them in a mason jar.

 

Cover the herbs with oil. I am using avocado oil, but almond and apricot kernel oil are great too.

 

 

 

Cover the jar tightly. I label the content with the date. Or I can't remember how long my concoction has been sitting outside in the sun.

Let sit in sunlight for two weeks. My oil sits in front of the south facing side of my house. The sunlight gently heats up the oil and infuses it with its healing properties.

Extract oil from herbs. I am using a double wire mesh strainer, muslin or cheese cloth works too. I extract all the precious oil from the herbs. I use my hands and squeeze the oil from the herbs.

 

The herbs after I have removed all the oils.

 

I repeat the above step for two more weeks. I extract the oil from the herbs. Collect fresh herbs and cover with the oil from the previous steps. and let sit for two weeks. The total time that the oil is in contact with herbs is 4 weeks.

Now I have a very potent herbal oil. Down to Earth has a great tutorial on Calendula Salve with pictures.

What I learned from my total elimination diet

I learned that I eat for emotional gratification.

I cannot tolerate eggs, wheat, cow dairy, I am trying goat dairy (I love dairy so I hope goat will agree with me) beef.  After two months eating only rice, I was feeling sluggish,tired and craving protein and fresh vegetables.  Listening to my body has led me to try the Paleo diet. 

I appreciate food now more than ever.

Eating a vegan  (my body craves vegetables and protein) gluten free diet simplifies my choices of meals, and therefore my shopping list, and I don't eat out. I was so happy to eat a honey flavored rice cake after 1 hour of grocery shopping. Usually I would have eaten a sweet treat or sampled the many yummy free treats available at my grocery store.

I am losing my baby weight.  Eating only rice, potato, turkey did not aid in weight loss. After two pregnancies in three years, I weigh 190lbs. My perfect weight is 145lbs and I weighed 125 lbs in 2008. So I am 45 lbs over my preferred weight. Did I mention that I love to cook. I ate my way thru my travels in Europe. I love to eat new foods and remember my travels by the food I eat.