LOVE YOURSELF WITH AN HERBAL BATH
HERBAL BATH INSTRUCTIONS
An herbal bath can transform your spirit and lift your heart.
The largest organ of the human body is your skin.
Herbs contain many beneficial phytochemicals that both cleanse the skin and soothe the soul.
These herbal bath instructions provide both hot and cold methods using fresh and dried herbs.
HOT METHOD
(Works well with fresh and dried herbs)
Bring to boil one big pot of water, then turn off heat.
Drop in the herbs and let them steep (cover). The longer, the stronger!
When you remove the lid, consider the option of enjoying a facial by placing a towel over your head and capturing the herbal steam on your lovely face. *Caution, avoid breathing vapor from particularly strong herbs if you are sensitive or notice discomfort.
Strain and pour into tub (use colander, sieve, or other means).
COLD METHOD
(Works best with fresh herbs)
Fill large pot with cold water.
Drop in herbs, the more herbs, the stronger the bath), shred and wrench and wring and squeeze while praying (Metta prayer below) or having positive, loving thoughts (envision these positive thoughts passing into the herbal bath through your hands and loving energy radiating from your heart).
Let steep at least 15 minutes (the longer, the stronger).
Pour into the through strainer.
PREPARE FOR THE BATH
Burn some sage or your favorite incense, or use any other scent you find soothing and centering in the bathroom to cleanse the space.
Clean the tub thoroughly.
Light some candles, choose a color that you feel symbolically soothes your condition.
Say some prayers, read a poem, or just listen to silence.
Put on some peaceful music or chanting,
Take the phone off the hook, turn off the cell phone – this is a must – no interruptions!
Remember you are a sacred being on a sacred planet sitting in a sacred bathtub filled with sacred herbs.
(Did I put the planet in the bathtub too?)
Stay in the bath as long as you feel comfortable (don’t get overheated), no need to rinse. Wrap up afterwards – don’t catch a chill!!!
METTA PRAYER
Give this day, this bath, this moment to love. Let fear go.
Begin with yourself.
Breathe gently, and recite inwardly the following traditional phrases directed to your own well-being.
You begin with yourself because without loving yourself it is almost impossible to love others.
May I be safe, healthy, and happy
May I be filled with peace, joy, and lovingkindness.
May my life unfold with ease
As you repeat these phrases, picture yourself as your are now, and hold that image in a heart of lovingkindness.
Or perhaps you will find it easier to picture yourself as a young and beloved child.
Adjust the words and images in any way you wish.
Create the exact phrases that best open your heart of kindness.
Repeat these phrases over and over again, letting the feelings permeate your body and mind.
When loving kindness moves you to do so… offer the metta meditation to others around you
May you/they be safe, healthy, and happy.
May you/they be filled with peace, joy, and lovingkindness.
May your/their life/lives unfold with ease.
Herbal Life
Over the years, Wolfram Alderson labored for two decades in the field of horticultural therapy, employing hundreds of people with disabilities in horticultural enterprises, many of which featured herbs from around the world. Under the moniker of “The Global Gardener”, and wearing elaborate outfits and herbal hats to promote the plants and people he worked with, Wolfram presented on the many uses of herbs at hundreds of events, workshops and horticulture clubs and shows. Wolfram’s projects involved growing tens of thousands of herb plants and planting them in myriad landscapes, including sites at the Los Angeles County Arboretum (herb garden), Cal Poly Pomona, and Casa Colina Center for Rehabilitation, where he designed and built a 5 acre herb farm.
