The healing properties of a hot bath can help you to gather strength for the next day. Add a few drops of aromatherapy oil and you have your own little de-stress centre at home.

Nothing soothes an upset mind and knotted muscles better than a hot bath. The ancient Greeks believed that water had healing and health-maintaining properties, while the Romans made water treatment part of their everyday lives by building public baths next to natural springs.

While the idea of getting into a public hot tub might not appeal to you, nothing keeps you from having an aromatherapy bath in the privacy of your own home. Here is a list of the most common essential oils that you can add to your bath and what they will do for you:

    • Lavender: A sedative, antidepressant and antiseptic. It is good for stress, digestive disorders, headaches and migraines
    • Rosemary: A stimulant and decongestive. It can be a helpful treatment for sinus congestion and muscuskeletal aches and pains
    • Tea tree: This oil has gained much popularity and is used as an ingredient in many beauty products. It is an antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial oil and is good for treating acne, athletes foot, and coughs and colds
    • Neroli: A sedative, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory oil. It can help with depression, insomnia, stress and premenstrual tension
    • Eucalyptus: Besides the antiseptic and antidepressant qualities, this oil can also help to treat allergies. It is further useful for eczema, sprains, aches and headaches
    • Rose: It may help with sinus congestion, stress, depression, poor circulation, insomnia and menopausal difficulties • Camomile: This can relieve stress, insomnia, headaches, flatulence and indigestion
    • Spicy oils: These are warming and stimulating and will relax you if you are emotionally wrung out. Try juniper, black pepper or ginger
    • Citrus oils: These include lemon oil, orange oil and bergamot. They will boost your energy levels and uplift your spirit.

There are some precautions that you should take when it comes to the use of aromatherapy oil:

    • Never take essential oils internally, unless prescribed by a medically qualified aromatherapist
    • Never use clary sage, camomile, pennyroyal or rosemary during pregnancy
    • Avoid fennel oil if you have a family history of breast cancer
    • Do not use an oil if your skin has an allergic reaction to it.

Sources
Alternative healing therapies. 1999. Edited by C. N. Shealy. Dorset: Element Books
The essential personality test. Shape (November) 2001
Women’s Life