Citrus Bath Herbs

Fragrance Bowls: Fill large decorative bowls with clean sand then top with citrus peelings, homemade potpourri, cinnamon sticks and bunches of fresh herbs or fragrant flowers to fill a room with a pleasing, and natural, fragrance.

Fragrant Bedroom Sacks: Fill small fabric sacks about the size of a shoe bag with Homemade Potpourri and tie closed with ribbon to make large sachets. Arrange them with the pillows for a pretty decor effect.

Directions

Mix together and store away for use.

To Use: At bath time you may put a large handful of the mixed herbs into a muslin bag and drop the bag in the hot tub or drop the herbs directly into the water. You can also opt to put the herbs into a perforated metal ball available in the cooking section of department stores and often used in the cooking of rice. You can also make an infusion of herbs and strain the liquid into the tub. 

Citrus Spice Aromatherapy Bath Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup dried Lemongrass

1/2 cup Lavender flowers

1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) whole Cloves

1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) chopped or shredded Licorice root (optional)

3 drops Lemongrass essential oil

3 drops Lavender essential oil

3 drops Palmarosa essential oil

Directions

Combine the lemongrass, lavender flowers and licorice root in a dark glass or PET plastic jar.

Using a mortar and pestle, crush the cloves a little to break them into slightly smaller pieces and release their scent. If you don't have a mortar and pestle (I don't!) you can put the cloves in a stong plastic bag and gently hit them with a hammer, or you can grind them in a clean coffee maker - just be careful not to overdo it.

Add the cloves to the herbal bath tea mixture, then drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own little spot on top of the mixture. Use a stainless steel spoon to gently stir everything together.

Cap the jar and let it sit for at least 24 hours before using to let the aroma 'cure' (longer is better.)

To use your citrus spice aromatherapy bath recipe, scoop a few spoonfuls into a small organza or muslin drawstring bag. Fill about half full - it will expand in the water.

If you don't have a bag, put a few spoonfuls into the center of a square of double thickness cheesecloth, pull the edges together and tie it closed with a string.

To get the most benefit from your bath, boil a kettle of water, then steep the bag in a bowl of very hot water for 10 minutes or so. (Yes, you're making herbal tea for your bath!)

Pour the herbal bath tea into your bathwater BEFORE YOU GET IN then check the temperature to make sure the bath water is not too hot. Drop the herbal bag in the water, slide in and relax for 20 minutes.