HERB AND FLOWER BATH SACHETS

Fragrant herb filled sachets are a simple way to enjoy yourself, right out of your own herb or flower garden. Fresh or dried herbs and flowers provide us with true aromatherapy in its most elemental form.

While herbal sachets for bathing and inhaling may seem old fashioned, the aromatic pleasures they offer are very valuable in our stress life. Sinking into a warm tub infused with the properties of fragrant botanicals, inhaling the soft, mind clearing vapours or sniffing an herbal sachet to alleviate a pounding headache or to lull you gently to sleep. To use in the bath, gather the dried materials together, fill and tie in a bag. The bag can be used several times if air dried between uses and can be turned inside out to be filled with new herbs and retied. Close the bathroom door, dim the lights, slip into the warm, fragrant water and let all your worries fly and disappear away.

BOTANICAL TUB TEA
Delicious herbs and spices turn this bath into a healthy brew! A great warming bath to ease the discomforts of the flu season.

• 2 tbsp rose petals
• 2 tbsp rose geranium leaves
• 1 tbsp rosemary leaves
• 1 tbsp dried orange peel
• 1" slice ginger root, chopped
• 8 large clove buds
• 1 tsp powdered cinnamon

Combine the dried herbs and spices and pile onto a 12" square of light cotton cloth. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the herbs. Tie up all four corners of the cloth, making a tight bundle. Toss the sachet in the hot running bathwater and let it infuse. As you take your bath, squeeze the bundle frequently to release its properties into the water - no soap is necessary. Inhale the rising vapours as you lie back and relax. After your bath, your body will feel aromatically cleansed, and you will have renewed clarity and energy.

COUNTRY GARDEN BATH HERBS
An aromatic combination of herbs and flowers which have been used for centuries for their fragrant and healing benefits. This herb combination can be used for bath bags, drawer sachets and natural potpourris.

• 2 tbsp rose petals
• 2 tbsp lavender flowers
• 2 tbsp chamomile flowers
• 2 tbsp peppermint leaves
• 2 tbsp linden leaves
• 2 tbsp lemongrass

Gently combine the dried herbs and flowers in a bowl. To intensify the natural fragrance and create an aromatherapy effect, sprinkle a total of 30 drops of essential oils over the dried herbs, choosing from essential oils like geranium, lavender, lemongrass, palmarosa and ylang-ylang. Stir the herbs gently with a wooden spoon, and tuck the mixture into little fabric bags and tie shut.

While your bath is pouring, drop the bag in the water and squeeze it several times to release the properties of the herbs and essential oils. Hold the filled sachet like a sponge in your hand, and rub it over your skin as you bathe to give it a soft and fragrant feel.