Where else but at ACHS can you take a bath for homework. I will describe in detail the three baths I chose.
The steps to use essential oils in a bath are:
1. Run the bath water.
2. While the bath water is running, prepare everything you need for your bath so that you will be comfortable. Think about music, towels, a head pillow or folded towel, a glass of water or herbal tea, candles, and a do not disturb sign for your bathroom door.
3. Add the essential oils only once the bath is full and the water is turned off, just before you are ready to step into the bath.
4. Swirl the oils around in the bath with your hands to ensure dispersion.
5. Enter the bath and soak.
Notes:
If a full bath is not possible, a hand or foot bath can be excellent. Do not be tempted to add more than the stated amounts. Essential oils should never burn or irritate the skin. The heat and water of the bath can enhance absorption, so always err on the side of caution and use less than you think you need to, then add more drop by drop.(1)
I began with a bath using lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia). For complete instructions I referred to the book The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The author, Salvatore Battaglia, recommends this bath for insomnia. “Having a warm bath is very effective. Ensure that it is not too hot. Just more than lukewarm is ideal. This warms the blood a little, giving a soporific effect when it circulates to the brain. Adding a few drops (no more than 3 drops) of lavender or sweet marjoram to the bath.”(2) I have had a bit of difficulty sleeping lately. Stress from work has gotten the better of me and when you add the requirements of travel and complications of fibromyalgia you get a major flare. I wanted to avoid it the best I could. The bath was heavenly! The soporific (sleep inducing) effects were felt immediately and I slept like a baby. Something I had not been able to do in weeks without prescription benzodiazepines. Since they “may be habit-forming” I am looking for alternatives. I used the last three drops I had of lavender for this bath. I am glad my supply has since been replenished so that I can repeat it frequently.
The next bath I tried was the morning I awakened with the worst sinus headache I have suffered in a long time. I wanted to try a “Stimulating Morning Bath”(3) but instead I chose the “Nervous Exhaustion Bath.”(4) I thought that the “fibro flare” must have been brought on by the amount of stress I have been under at work, coupled with the shock of losing friend suddenly this month. I did feel quite a bit of relief from the bath. I must say that the scent of the “Nervous Exhaustion Bath” was not as pleasant as I would have liked that day but it helped.
That brought me to Thursday. I woke very early and determined since I finally had a day without any pressing matters in it, I would take a day of sick leave. I have had sinus headaches and a low grade fever for several days now but because of urgent tasks at work I have not had a day to rest. I pushed myself a little too much yesterday, I even went to my yoga class and I was generally a mess. I began by emailing my boss and my assistant and going back to bed. When I did finally get plenty of sleep I began with a detoxifying, “Stimulating Morning Bath.” I loosely followed a recipe found on The Annapolis Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Research Center web site:
“Recipe for a detox bath — which helps a lot with general muscle aches and pains.
Epsom Salt – 2 cups & Baking Soda – 1 cup & Hydrogen Peroxide – 1/3 cup
Fill tub with hot water and add above ingredients. Soak for 20-30 minutes. You will sweat in the tub and Lose toxins (which causes you to lose some water as well). It is important to drink plenty of water while you soak. You can make fresh lemon juice and mix with water and drink, or plain water, but it is essential to drink while you take the bath. If you have a tendency to get light headed easily, be cautious when getting out of the tub, or have someone nearby the first time you take a detox bath. Take a lukewarm to cool shower after getting out of the tub to rinse off the salts or you may itch. Rest for 30 minutes after the bath.”(5)
I deleted the Baking Soda and decreased the Epsom Salt to 1/2 cup and added 1/2 cup of Mineral salts. I also added 5 drops of Rosemary (Rosmarnius officinalis) and 2 drops of Peppermint (Mentha x. piperita) as in the “Stimulating Morning Bath.” I have not felt this good in days. I showered afterward as directed and I must say the effect has been very good all day.
Our Aroma 101 professor, Catrina Mianecki writes in her document Blending and Dilutions of EOs, “Epsom salt baths are highly effective in aiding and supporting the body in detoxing. Epsom salts aid the elimination of waste material from the skin as well as reduce muscular aches and pains by aiding the elimination of uric acid build-up. Epsom salts support and enhance the bodies’ immune response by stimulating lymph and blood circulation. Use 5-8 drops of essential oils per cup of Epsom salts.”
My love affair with essential oils first began when using them in the bath; I just never realized that beyond pleasurable they are very effect at treating a variety of ailments. I also now enjoy the education from our anatomy and physiology course of how the skin functions to produce these results.
Bathing especially when combined with a form of exfoliation aids in the shedding of the outermost cells of the stratum corneum. These dry dead cells flake off by the thousands into bath water. Bathing also aids in the elimination of waste products such as ammonia and uric acid by stimulating the eccrine sweat glands as seen when I took the detoxifying, “Stimulating Morning Bath.” I enjoy bathing therapies and recommend them highly!
I want to close with a final point made in the book Aromatherapy, Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal. Literally translated, hydrotherapy means “water healing.” This form of therapy… is a very powerful tool.(6)
1. American College of Healthcare Sciences, Aroma 101 Introduction to Aromatherapy, Portland Oregon, 2009, Page 124 – 125.
2. Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Second Edition. Brisbane, Queensland Australia: The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, 2003, Page 488.
3. American College of Healthcare Sciences, Aroma 101 Introduction to Aromatherapy, Portland Oregon, 2009, Page 149
4. Ibid, Page 149
5. Teitelbaum, Jacob, M.D.; SHINE Treatment Protocol for CFIDS/Fibromyalgia; http://www.endfatigue.com/treatment_options/Shine_protocol_document.html; April 8, 2010
6. Cooksley, Valerie Gennari, RN, Aromatherapy Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal, New York New York, Penguin Putnam, 2002, Page 293
