Flowers and Food for the Bath

According to Reader's Digest...Bathing for Health and Relaxation by Eva Gizoska, fruity and flowery bath preparations not only smell wonderful in the water; they also have an instant feel-good effect on the psyche and many therapeutic benefits for the skin.

Commerical preparations may smell good, but they are almost synthetically produced. In order to experience the full, natural qualities of fruits and flowers, you use the real thing. You can add them directly to the bath or apply them directly in the form of packs and tonics.

Fruit and Other Foods

Milk for silky, smooth and soft skin. Not just a favorite with Cleopatra, but Indian women have used milk for centuries. You can simply pour as much powdered milk or fresh milk into a hot bath.

Grapes for blemish-free skin. Add grape juice to your bath, or make a decoction of vine leaves for a cleansing, antiseptic effect.

Ginger helps stimulate circulation. It is warming and aromatic. Add a few tablespoonfuls of ground ginger, or deoction from the fresh root.

Pineapple contains a natural enzyme that helps to improve the skin. Add freshly squeezed pineapple juice to the bath, or use it on your face as a toner.

Honey has natural healing, antiseptic qualities. It helps blemished king and is very moisturizing. Stir a few tablespoons into your bath.

Citrus fruits(lemons, oranges, limes) smooth the texture of the skin. Grate the rind and add it to the bath. Apply lemon juice directly to elbows, feet and knees. Or place the rinds in a cheesecloth or muslin bag, and rub the skin briskly to exfoliate.

Tropical Fruits (melons, papaya, cantaloupe) possess skin-beautifying proprieties. Papaya, especially, is rich in enzymes that can improve skin texture. Mash these fruits into a pulp and apply them to the face or body. Leave fo about 15 minutes and rinse off. Or add some ground almond meal to the fruits and the mixture to exfoliate your skin while you bathe.

Cornmeal and oatmeal are good exfoliants - oatmeal is beneficial to dry, irritated skin. Add them directly to the bath, or make them into a paste with some hot water and a tablespoonful of lemon juice. Massage over body and then rinse off.

Strawberries soothe skin irritations and sensitive skin. Mash them up, appy them to the skin as a pack, and rinse off.

Peach is helpful for inflamed, blotchy skin. Mash the fruit and make into a pack. Apply to the face or body for 15 minutes. Rinse off.

Vanilla smells warm and comforting. Add a few drops of vanilla essense to your bath.


Flowers

Honeysuckle calms skin irritations. Make an infusion from the blossoms, and add to the bath.

Iris helps improve circulation and has a calming effect. Scatter petals in your bathwater.

Marigold helps dry, sensitive skin. Add an infustion of the flowers to your bath.