Spring Cleaning -- Bath Blend of the Month

Here are two recipes to clean the shower that can give you a sparkly clean shower and bath so you can enjoy your bath blends.

My hubby uses bar soap to wash, which leaves tremendous amounts of residue in the bathtub and shower walls.  He loves to spray a shower spray as he gets out of the shower to stop the possible build up and it works very well to cut down the number of times we have to scrub clean the shower.

Get your shower and bath spring cleaned and enjoy the bath blend we share next month!

So here are the two items we use:

Shower Spray

• 1 tsp liquid dawn or castile soap
  
• 1 T jet dry / Finish
• ½ cup hydrogen peroxide
• ½ cup rubbing alcohol
• (the rest) 3 cups water

Add active ingredients, then add water to fill a 32 ounce spray bottle.

To USE: Spray the shower after each use and spray water on the walls the next time you get in to cut down on the build up of soap scum on the walls, shower doors and shower curtains.

Shower Cleaner

• 1 cup dawn or liquid castile soap
• The rest white vinegar

Fill a 32-ounce spray bottle.  Shake well to combine.

To USE: Spray on shower let sit 30 min and rinse away. If the surface is super dirty, get a scrub brush or scrubber on a stick and scrub the walls after you spray them, then re-spray wait 30 minutes and rinse.  Repeat as needed.

Everyday Bath Blend - Bath Blend of the Month

This unique combination of herbs and flowers can be used as a bath tub tea, or as a shower scrub.  

Equal amounts of: 

• Chamomile
• rose petals
• juniper berries
• rosemary
• spearmint

Combine these in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well.  Use 1 to 2 Tablespoons on a muslin bag or coffee filter for a bath or 4 Tablespoons in a washcloth for a shower.

To Prepare:

Add 1 cup of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Place the bag in the water and steep for 10 minutes. Add the liquid to the bath water.  Or used the washcloth to rub or scrub your skin while in the shower.  

Herbal attributes for skin and body

Chamomile:

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin irritation and redness. It is often used to soothe sensitive or irritated skin. It may help alleviate stress and promote better sleep.

Rose petals:

Rose petals are known for their hydrating properties, making them beneficial for dry or dehydrated skin. They help lock in moisture and maintain skin's natural balance. Rose petals also contain antioxidants that can help protect the skin against damage from free radicals and environmental stressors. Roses have soothing and toning properties, making them useful for reducing redness and inflammation.

Juniper berries:

Juniper berries have natural antiseptic properties that can help cleanse the skin and prevent infections. They can also help remove toxins and impurities from the skin. They have a mild astringent effect, which can help tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pores.

Rosemary:

Rosemary has stimulating properties that can help promote circulation, which is beneficial for a healthy complexion. Additionally, Rosemary contains antioxidants that can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals with antimicrobial properties that can help prevent bacterial growth on the skin. It can help regulate oil production, making it useful for oily or acne-prone skin. It can help reduce excess oil and minimize breakouts.

Spearmint:

Spearmint has a cooling sensation that can provide relief to irritated or overheated skin. Spearmint has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent bacterial growth on the skin, making it useful for treating acne and preventing breakouts. It has mild astringent properties that can help tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pores.

Please note that individual experiences may vary, and it's always a good idea to perform a patch test before using any new herb or ingredient on your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin or any known allergies.

Wild Garden Shower Soap - Bath Blend of the Month

It is harvest time.  I spend hours out harvesting my herbs before the last of the season.  After a long evening in the chill of September, I want a long, hot shower.

Wild Garden Shower Soap

• ½ cup distilled water
• ½ cup orange flower water
• 1 Tbls peppermint
• 1 Tbls Chamomile
• 1 Tbls rose petals
• 1 Tbls orange blossoms
• ½ Tbls unscented glycerin soap
• 1 tsp castor oil

Combine the waters in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Remove from heat and add herbs. Steep 1 hour. Strain. Reheat water gently.  Add soap and castor oil.  Let cool to room temperature.  Bottle it up and use every day.  This stuff is gentle enough for everyday use.

 

Shower bag - Bath Blend of the Month

I go the idea for this recipe from my friend Tina at The Essential Herbal.  She posted a recipe for Bath Scrubby on her herb blog back in 2013 that I have played around with ever since and this is my version of that.

I make shower bags with herbs and soap that can be used to wash with.  The key with a shower bag is the herbs must come in contact with the skin to impart their herbal properties. My solution was to put soap in it so that you would put it in contact with the skin.  Tina's recipe uses only herbs and you just wipe it over the skin after wetting it.  I like the variations that were possible with her recipe and came up with a blend that would soothe my sensitive skin and remove irritation from being outside and sun exposure.

Flower Bath Scrubbie

2 Tbls. calendula petals
2 Tbls  rose petals
1 Tbls  lavender buds
1 Tbls  chamomile flowers
1 Tbls  thyme or sage flowers

This makes about 3/8 to 1/3 of a cup of blend that is enough to fill one 3 x 4 inch cotton  (or you can place them in the center of a 10x10 inch square of muslin fabric and pull the edges together.)  To use in the shower, wet the bag and scrub over your skin.  The soothing properties of the flowers is perfect for your skin.

I like the method of brewing the bag in a pan of water and pouring that into the bath water as the best way to get the benefit of the flowers, but if you want to take a shower with this scrubbie, the key is to make sure the bag comes in contact with the skin.

Here is a breakdown of the benefits of the flowers:

Chamomile - reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also possessing anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Calendula - has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, and helps to heal wounds and soothe damaged skin, such as sunburn, cuts and scrapes. 

Rose - Antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties in roses make them wonderfully soothing for skin, especially swollen spots and redness.

Sage - the antioxidants in sage reduce fine lines and wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Thyme - is an anti-bacterial herb that can be used on skin bacteria that creates acne, and an antifungal agent that works on eczema.

Lavender - is rich in a compound called linalool that assists with skin healing while also preventing tissue degeneration keeping skin firm and preventing wrinkles.