Tea Bathing

OOOOOOhhh! There is nothing like soaking in a tub full of water, bath salts, and whatever else you feel you need to relax. The tranquility, the peace and the exotically relaxing sensation of immersing oneself in water makes any stressful day worth the daily struggle of life.

I love taking baths! It is such a therapeutic spa like treatment that you don't have to go anywhere to spend too much money in getting your body and mind at ease within 30 minutes. This takes as long as your fingers and toes start shriveling.

I prefer to stay in the tub until i can't stand the fact that the water is no longer as luxurious as when i first got in the tub, meaning that it has lost all of its warmth. But even then i will more often than not turn on the hot water, reheating my bath.

Bathing on it's own is a great way to relax and promotes wellbeing, without too much investment.

Recently, though i discovered tea bathing! Which is interesting because i thought i was really making a discovery. Only to find out through a little research and the internet, that tea bathing is not a new experience. In fact it has a long and interesting history.

Interesting fact is that tea is good as a remedy for ills such as soothing sunburn, tea bags are used to relieve tired eyes, reduce razor burns and even to get the gray out of your hair. There are several things that tea is good for besides just drinking.

There is a lake in Lennox Head, Australia, known for being a lake of tea because of the trees that surround it and the brown fresh water is supposed to be healthy and invigorating. The locals encourage a swim to enjoy the restorative and rejuvenating health benefits that they believe about the lake.

The Japanese actually have an hot spring spa park that has a pool in which they have brewed green tea.

There are various ways that you can achieve a restorative tea bath. It can be done as cheaply as throwing the tea you drink in your bathwater. But those who recommend tea bathing in the true sense of what it is, say tea bathing is best done with loose leaf tea. This is supposedly done because bagged commercial tea that you drink is not of the best quality of teas that you can find.

The fact about the loose leaf version of making tea to bathe in is best used when you place it in a muslin bag or cheesecloth. I have even found that you can make your own with coffee filters as your pouch, so that you can dispose of it entirely and easily.

Recipes are easy! The health benefits are dictated by the tea flavor you choose, the mixture is what ever you need for whatever moment you require.

Take a tea bath! It is one way that i have decided will be a part of my at home spa treatment. It is as simple as throwing a couple of tea bags, or your own homemade recipe or even a store bought variety in your running hot bath water, letting it steep, then stepping in for a full healthy treatment.

As with most things you need to be careful if you have allergies, always test by placing your hand in the bath water to make sure you don't have a reaction to something you may be using in your tea bath. Using organic products are best especially with skin care.

This treatment is good for your skin, hair, mind and emotions. Enjoy!

Loose leaf teas recommended for rejuvenation are peppermint, and eucalytus. These two are great for leaving you refreshed and opens up your nasal passages because of the invigorating scent. Peppermint has great antifungal properties as well.

Teas to relax in are valerian and lavender. Valerian is great for insommia, anxiety and de- stressing. Lavender is used for its antiseptic, calming properties to cut anxiety and stress. Lavender helps with headaches, insomnia, melancholia, dizziness and bronchial asthma. In the bath it is tonifying and refreshing through the releasing of essential oils.

Teas of chamomile, which is great for softening your skin and hair, green tea, has tannins which tone skin because of its antioxidant properties and jasmine are great for soothing and relaxing.

Recipes usually include sea salt or epsom salt, baking soda, and dried milk. You can also add ingredients like honey for healing wounds and dry skin because of it antibacterial properties. Apple cider vinegar can also be added for oily skin or to even out a fading tan.

Whole milk or dried milk, one (1) cup can be used to soften skin and dissolve dead skin making it easier to exfoliate.

Adding two (2) tablespoons of oils, like olive, coconut, almond and safflower, are great for softening and replenishing skins natural oils making cells plump and supple.

To use:

If you are going to use tea bags you will need at least four (4) to six (6) bags in your bath water.

If you choose to use loose leaf tea of your own making all the basic recipes are simple.

Ingredients:

3 to 4 drops of essence of oil

1 cup sea salt

1 cup dried flowers

1 cup of dried herbs

Put mixture in muslin bags, linen, cheese cloth or a coffee filter, tied with a string or piece of ribbon. When you are ready to take a bath throw the bag of tea in your hot running water.

My Celiegirl recipe is simple but effective.

Ingredients are:

1 cup of whole milk or dried milk

1 cup of baking soda

1/2 cup of regular or sea salt

1/2 cup Epsom salt

2 bags of peppermint tea

2 bags of regular tea

drops of a favorite scent or oil

Also two handfuls of fresh rose petals

Using a loofah, sea sponge or a gentle cloth to assist in sloughing skin aids in removing dead cells, dry skin and reveals naturally youthful glowing skin. Go ahead relax, restore and rejuvenate as you achieve health and beautiful skin!