Leslie Kenton herb feature

BATHROOM ESSENTIALS

The potency of essential oils is such that they work better highly diluted. They are perfect in the bath. Essential oils soothe a tired body and a troubled mind. As you breathe in their mood enhancing qualities on the steam you will absorb their healing properties through your skin. I have a collection of them which I keep in the bathroom and use often.

There are two ways of adding essential oils to a bath. You can put in 2-3 drops of the pure essence straight into running water; or you can make a simple bath oil by adding five drops of essential oil to 1/4 cup of carrier oil such as apricot or almond oil. Pour this mixture into the water five minutes after you have got into the bath. This gives your skin time to absorb some moisture. Otherwise the oil can cling to your skin as you get into the bath and act as a barrier.

Perfect Essences

Here are some of my favorite essential oils. Five drops in the bath can help with anything from seething anger to physical exhaustion:

To diffuse anger - Ylang ylang, rose, chamomile

To unlock resentment - Rose

To cheer you up - Hyssop, marjoram, sandalwood

To invigorate your mind - Basil, peppermint, cypress, patchouli

To ease worry - Lavender

To stop world-weariness - Neroli, melissa, camphor

To make you feel stronger - Chamomile, jasmine, Melissa

To soothe irritability - Frankincense, marjoram, chamomile, lavender

To relieve exhaustion - Jasmine, rosemary, juniper, patchouli

To unknot anxiety - Sage, juniper, basil, jasmine

To make an aphrodisiac -Add a drop each of basil, cardamom, jasmine, patchouli and myrrh, or use only ylang ylang.

More on bathing

The classic definition of a herb is a non-woody plant which dies down to its roots each winter. This definition is far too limiting. It was probably made up by 19^th Century European botanists who had never seen the rainforest in which, of course there is no winter to die back in. Neither had they ever heard of woody trees and shrubs such as hawthorn and ginko and elder which are some of the best selling herbs on the market these days. I define a herb as a medicinal plant. It can come from any climate and be a leaf, a bark, a flower or a root. It can be home-grown or wild, a weed, a spice, a plant which is used for its healing or culinary or beautifying properties.

Once you discover the power of herbs it is easy to become so enthusiastic about them you go overboard trying to use them for everything. It is not wise to take lots of different plants all at the same time. Or you might start to think that since a small amount of something is good for you, taking twice or three times that amount will be even better. It isn’t. If you want safe and sane herbal help here are a few guidelines to follow:

Herbs occasionally interact with conventional drugs. Be sure to tell your doctor that you intend to try a herbal remedy.

If you want to use herbs to treat a serious medical condition, find yourself a good medical herbalist to work with. Don’t do it yourself.

Take no more than recommended dosages of a herb or combination. If you notice any adverse reaction, stop right away.

Use only the very best herbs whether they be fresh, dried, teas, tinctures, extracts, or capsules.

Give plants enough time to work. Many herbs, such as St John’s Wort and Wild Yam, are slow to build beneficial effects on the body. Look to six weeks for results.

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