Herbal bath teas are simple to make and can easily be given as gifts (or kept for yourself!). Preparing an herbal bath tea requires selecting herbs and placing them in a muslin bag or on a circle of cheesecloth and tying up the sides (if you're unsure how to do this, see: How to Make Bath Bags). Optional additions such as oats, sea salt, Epsom salt, and/or essential oils add extra soothing benefits to your bath tea. Herbal bath tea can also be made by brewing an extra strong tea (using 3-4 ounces of herbs), straining it, and pouring directly into the tub.

Herbs Suitable for Bath Teas:

Roses - anti-inflammatory, astringent, also helpful in treating insomnia and nervous tension. Lavender - calming and sleep-inducing. Chamomile - relaxing and calming. Perfect for unwinding at the end of the day. Peppermint - invigorating and energizing. Calendula - skin soothing and anti-inflammatory. Lemon Balm -  helps calm restlessness and treat inflammatory conditions. Rosemary - astringent, useful for cell-regeneration, an wound healing. Plantain - anti-inflammatory and astringent, also useful in wound healing.

Optional Additions:

Sea salt - helps reduce water retention, increases circulation, and relaxes muscles. Epsom salt - excellent for relieving sore/tired muscles and for stress relief. Oats, ground (can also be used to simple and frugal skin care products) - good for itchy, dry skin. Sunflower seeds, ground - great for softening skin

How to Make an Herbal Bath Tea

Select herbs. (You may choose one herb, or use 3 or 4. It's completely up to you.) Use a total of about 8 tablespoons of herbs if filling a muslin bag. This amount is very flexible, so adjust as needed. If you are using a circle of fabric instead of a muslin bag, you will need to reduce this amount to 2-3 tablespoons. Decide if you will include any additions. Again, choose one or more. Use 1-2 tablespoons of each. Place ingredients in a muslin tea bag. Muslin bags can be purchased online and in some health food stores, or try making your own. (If you buy in bulk, you'll find that muslin bags come in handy for a variety of gifts and other uses). To use: tie bath bag under faucet so the water will go through the herbs as the bath tub fills with water. Once the bath is full, remove the bag from the facet and float in the water. Soak in the bath for 20 minutes.

Some Suggested Combinations:

As mentioned above, customized bath teas can be made by choosing a variety of herbs and mixing an matching them as desired. If you'd like a little help, try a few of these suggestions:

• Rose and chamomile - relaxing and uplifting
• Calendula, lemon balm, plantain, and oats - soothing to skin
• Lavender and chamomile - relaxing and calming
• Peppermint, rosemary, and sea salt - invigorating
• Epsom salt and chamomile - soothing to tired muscles
• Rosemary, lavender, a lemon rind - to soothe skin and wake up the senses
• Sunflower seeds, oats, calendula and plantain - skin soothing and softening

Have you ever made an herbal tea for the bath? If so, what's your favorite combination?