How to Make Oatmeal and Herb Bath Bags
If you find yourself with dry itchy skin, or you’re suffering from a nasty rash or sunburn, an oatmeal bath is a wonderful way to relieve whatever ails you and your skin. It’s unknown just exactly why oatmeal seems to help our skin so much, but it’s thought that phenols and avenanthramides (two naturally occurring chemical properties in oatmeal) help reduce inflammation, and any discomfort that comes with it. Itchy dry skin is also often caused by lower PH levels, and oatmeal can help restore your PH to normal. On top of all of this saponins, a chemical compound found in oatmeal, really lifts up and absorbs dirt and excess oils from the skin, while also acting as a natural anti-bacterial cleanser.
The herbs added to this can be chosen at will-I love lavender for a particularly relaxing bath.
You will need…
-A handful of oatmeal
-Cheesecloth
-Herb of your choosing
-Scissors
Directions
Cut out several squares of cheesecloth, roughly 8X8 inches, and several long strips as well.
Place a handful of the oatmeal in the center of a square; along with whatever herb you are using (I used dried rose petals here.) Gather up the ends and tie it off with your strip of cheesecloth or a ribbon if you’re giving it as a gift.
Make the ribbon fairly long so you can tie it to your bath faucet, that way the hot water will pour over the bag and gets milky and soft. You can also just drop the bag into the water, squeezing it occasionally. The water will turn foggy-this is a good thing!
I am loathe to say that the cold season is approaching, but with the 14 months of winter that’s predicted this year for Minnesota, it’s bound to happen sooner rather than later. Along with the endless cold will come dry, chapped, skin that can benefit greatly from an oatmeal bath. There’s also no better time to soak in a warm tub! The beauty of these bags though lies in their versatility-they are truly great at any time of the year when you find your skin needs a little boost to make it soft and smooth.
Herb Tips
Lavender: Lavender is a wonderfully soothing scent if you’re taking a bath and unwinding at the end of the day or before bedtime.
Citrus: Lemon/orange essential oil has an invigorating, fresh, smell that can perk you up and help clear out a cluttered mind. Try putting a few drops on the oatmeal or bag.
Juniper Berry: The essential oil of juniper berry helps restore and refresh a tired or sick body with its clean, bright-but not overpowering- smell.
You can play around with any combinations you like, and add a few drops of essential oils for aromatherapy, or use a dried sprig/flower/herb (which I like because it adds a little color to the bag.)
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