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For a relaxing bath

Aromatic baths soften the skin and relax the body and mind

THERE ARE various ways in which essential oils can be used effectively. One of the best ways is to use them in your daily bath.

When you add essential oils to your bath, you transform the experience into a healthy one. It is the most effective aromatherapy treatment possible. Because you are in a warm, steamy room, the oils release more aroma molecules than during a massage. As you soak yourself in hot water, it softens the skin and speeds up oil absorption, allowing the essential oils to work their magic better on both mind and body.

The aroma bath

To get the best from an aromatic bath, make sure everything is as comfortable as possible before you get into the bathroom.

Aroma baths are more effective when you are use a bathtub; but if you don't have one, a bucket bath would also suffice. However, the amount of essential oils used should be less.

Essential oils are particularly good to energise or relax, soothe itchy, dry or sunburnt skin, relieve muscular aches, cramps or treat a cold. In summer, floral or citrus baths are refreshing. In winter, green, spicy or woody ones makes you feel warm.

Bath oils you can use

If you want to add a single oil to your bath, the essential oils suitable round the year are:

* Seven drops of chamomile (for insomnia and itchy skin)

* Eight drops of jasmine (for apathy, stress, fatigue)

* Ten drops of lavender (relaxes, soothes and for positive thinking)

* Five drops of patchouli (energises and invigorates)

* Ten drops of rose (for happiness, pleasure and romance)

* Eight drops of sandalwood (intimate and sensual )

The aromatic shower

Using an essential oil under the shower is not quite as therapeutic as using them in the bathtub. Since the water is constantly running, a lot of the oil and its aroma goes down the plughole.

The best way to avoid wasting essential oils is to mix them first with a carrier oil and massage them in before you get under the spray.

You can also dip a sponge into the mixture and rub it over the body while you shower.

Best shower oils

* Basil

* Lemongrass

* Lime

* Orange

* Peppermint

* Pine

Dos and Don'ts

* When adding essential oils, make sure that the bathroom door is closed and the taps are turned off. This helps to keep as much scent in the room as possible.

* Add essential oils gently, drop by drop, so that they float on the surface of the water (they coat your skin) and mix them in when you step into the tub.

* You can smell the aroma only for a few minutes, but do not be tempted to add extra oil.

* Smaller amounts of essential oils have greater effect. Besides, with too strong a concentration you risk irritating the skin.

* Add up to 10 drops of the essential oils for one bath. Some stronger smelling oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, bay, basil, lime, lemon, thyme and rosemary need only five drops.

* The temperature of the water is important too. Cold water stimulates, tepid makes you sleepy, warm water relaxes and hot leaves you weak and sloppy.

LILY MADHOK

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