THE WONDER THAT IS THE ORGANIC BATHING RITUAL

My favourite winter ritual is definitely bathing with candles, fresh herbs & botanical oils as inspired by the ancient art of bathing. Bathing for me is a therapeutic treatment, I use it to ease muscle pain, hydrate my skin and unite my mind and body.

My bathing ritual is as often as possible and depending on how I feel, I make it detoxing, relaxing or reviving. I simply like to 'prescribe' my bath infusions based on their therapeutic qualities. Below are three different types of bathing rituals and three of my favourite infusions.

This form of bathing has fallen from favour, but at its heart is a clever combination of both mind and body balancing benefits. Right now what we need more than ever is a little cleansing of the soul and washing away the negative influences, sad thoughts and anxiety.

My current favourite bath infusion for 'soulful' bathing is DESERT STORM BOTANICAL BATH + BODY OIL.

The scent of Juniper Berry oil is woody, spicy, and clean and has a calming and grounding effect and can help to cleanse and purify the mind. Cedarwood, used in sacred incenses to calm, Clove removes the dead skin cells and helps in blood circulation. Nourishing Almond oil  envelop your skin in indulgent softness. Use it whenever you're feeling a little flat - after inhaling this unique combination you'll emerge from the water somehow uplifted.

Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians were famous for their use of herbal baths and ointments. Today, herbal baths are used for the anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and analgesic properties of aromatic herbs, which are released when steeped in hot water. As a result, herbal baths can be effective remedies for anything from stress, to muscular aches and pains, while also thought to work as treatments for skin problems including eczema and psoriasis.

My favourite for recreating a herbal bath at home is our DEEP FOREST BOTANICAL BATH + BODY OIL with with Almond • Chamomile • Mint • Geranium.

I find this delicious, invigorating blend of common garden herbs and essential oils relieves mental and physical tiredness, and also improves breathing problems. The base blend of plant oils also works wonders to soothe and soften skin. Add four to five tablespoons of this all-natural oil into your hot bath water to experience its herbal and invigorating action.

Approximately 2,700 years B.C. there was published in China the PENG-TZAO-KAN-MU, probably the earliest known treatise on pharmacology. A major portion of this writing was devoted to a discussion of more than 40 kinds of salt, including methods of extracting salt and putting it in usable form. From ancient civilisations to today, salt and the sea has been associated with health and therapy. Used as a therapy it is known as Thalassotherapy. In Europe, this became popular again in the 19th century and has been ever since. Interestingly it is also thought that the magnesium content in seawater may have a calming effect on our nerves in itself, which would explain why we find seawater bathing so restorative.

To soak in the benefits of Thalassotherapy at home, I use a whole 200 ml of  LAVENDER FLOWER BATH SOAK , which contain mineral rich Himalayan and sea salt, as well as powerful plant ingredients for a revitalising, aromatic bath to detoxify skin. Bring a cool glass of water or herbal tea to the bath with you as detoxification can be powerful.

Its natural and organic formula consists of dried Lavender flowers with essential oil of Lavender, which cleanses and conditions skin while helping to remove impurities, dried Rosemary & essential oil of Rosemary, to moisturise dry, irritated skin and Sage extract, to help smooth and restore healthy tone. The perfect antidote for stress and fatigue thanks to its mineral content and relaxing aroma. After the soak I cover my whole body with our ROSE WOOD BOTANICAL BATH + BODY OIL with beautiful calming aromas and nourishing essential oils.