Aromatherapy - Bath Products and Essential Oils

Essential oils used as aromatherapy bath products have two very different applications in the bathroom. You can use them to soothe stress whilst you bathe or to combat germs. The way in which we use fragrance in the bathroom needs to reflect these changing functions and our diverse moods.

Soaking in the Bath

There is nothing more relaxing than soaking in a nice, hot bath. It is an ideal way to get rid of the day’s tensions and for you to unwind and relax. However, don’t forget to add the essential oils after you have run the water otherwise they will evaporate! If you like bubbles in your bath you can add these after you have spent at least 15 minutes in the bath with just the water and the essential oils.

An Aromatherapy Bubble Bath Product

Bubble baths are a wonderful way to relax, and you can combine Aromatherapy and bubble baths products for a wonderfully scented and enjoyable experience. You can create your own fragrant bubble baths by using essential oils of your choice and adding them to 1 ounce of your bubble bath base. You can purchase a base for bubble bath at most herbal stores.

You can create aromatic bubble baths that are floral based using Rose or Gardenia. If you prefer a more exotic scent, you can use a blend of Patchouli and Jasmine. Frankincense is a wonderfully sensual scent that is delightful with Cedarwood.

Warning! – Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you may relish the idea of taking an Aromatherapy Bubble bath. However many essential herbs are not safe for use when you are pregnant. In fact some herbs will promote the flow of menstruation and are so strong, they may actually lead to miscarriage, so for the health and safety of your baby, do not use essential oils unwisely, read more.....

Hygiene in the Bathroom

Essential oils can play a valuable and practical role in ensuring hygiene in the bathroom if we add them to water and use it to clean the fixtures and fittings. The most suitable oils are the same as those you use in the kitchen e.g. Eucalyptus or Rosemary but also try Lavender, Lemon or Pine. These oils smell fresh and clean and are also good anti bacterials.

Ways to fragrance your Bathroom

Clearly it is not a good idea to use electric fragrancers or diffusers in your bathroom for safety reasons. However, you can use aromatherapy soaps, dried flowers, decorative glass stones, bowls of pebbles etc mixed together and introduce fragrance by tucking a cotton wool ball sprinkled with essential oil in the bottom of the dish. Candles are instantly effective for creating a mood of relaxation but do be careful when placing them near shower curtains or other inflammable fittings.

Useful tips for adding fragrance to your bathroom

Scented Toilet Paper

Just a few drops of any of the recommended essential oils such as Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Pine or Rosemary regularly applied to the inner cardboard ring of the toilet tissue roll will make a difference.

Laundry Basket Freshener

Keep your laundry smelling sweet by hanging a small fragrant bag just inside the laundry basket. Fill this with cotton wool balls sprinkled with the essential oils of your choice.

Fragrant Towels

Add 3 to 5 drops of essential oil to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine or, if washing by hand, add 2 drops to the final rinse water. Alternatively, when storing your towels put a hanky or cotton wool ball sprinkled with 2 to 3 drops of essential oil between the towels. Be very careful though if your towels are a very pale colour and avoid the “dark” coloured oils!

Germ-free nail brushes

Firstly, use an old toothbrush to get rid of the dirt between the bristles. Rinse under cold, running water and then leave the brush to soak for about an hour in 500ml water to which you have added 6 drops of Tea Tree essential oil.

Essential Oils - good in the bathroom

A top tip from holistic therapy in spain.
Germ fighters: Eucalyptus, Lemon, Pine, Lemongrass, Rosemary.

Fresh smells: Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Pine, Rosemary.

Seductive fragrances: Geranium, Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.

Safety Guidelines

You should not drink any essential oils without first consulting a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. You should not apply any undiluted essential oil, absolutes, CO2s or any other concentrated essences directly onto the surface of your skin.

You should only use essential oils when under the proper supervision of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner if you have a medical condition or you are pregnant or suffering from liver failure, cancer or epilepsy.

Always use a skin patch test when using an essential oil for the first time.

Children: you must exercise extreme care if using essential oils with children. Only the gentlest essential oils and very small quantities. You are strongly advised to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner prior to using essential oils with children.

Please refer to 'Safety Guidelines'

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