Stimulating Therapeutic Bath Ritual with Rosemary

Stimulating Therapeutic Bath Ritual

The description of a stimulating effect would be one that helps to invigorate the body and mind. A stimulating bath is a bath taken in water that contains an aromatic substance, an astringent, or a tonic. 

Benefits

Stimulating baths are particularly beneficial for Kapha types or indeed Kapha complaints.
Kapha has a tendency for lethargy and feeling stuck both in body and mind.
A stimulating bath is helpful when you are feeling tired, drained and lacking energy.
A stimulating bath with increase and boost energy
This type of bath is a natural pick me up when you are feeling low and or the body is under strain.
Bathing has always been a special ritual, but often the intent is lost when we are preparing a therapeutic bath. In Ayurveda, the body is prepared before a bath by giving a full self-body massage using oils that are beneficial for the purpose.

In this case, a stimulating mustard oil would be a good start to this therapeutic ritual. You can buy mustard oil or make your own. Here is a simple mustard oil recipe

• Grind the mustard seeds then set aside.
• Heat up your carrier oil, I use sesame
• Once hot, add the mustard seeds to the oil and boil gently for 5 mins
• Remove from heat and allow to cool down.
• Once it's cool, pour into a glass bottle

Ritual 

Light a candle, preferably a lemon or lime scented one.

First, give yourself a full body dry body brush the details are here 

Then give yourself a brisk self-massage with the mustard oil. If you do not have mustard oil, use your usual body oil for self-massage.

Rosemary and Mint Bolus

You will have seen the fabric bolus which are made using cotton squares and filling them with herbs and spices. They are simple to make by using a cotton handkerchief and tying the four corners into a ball effect.

Mint

Mint is refreshing and invigorating. Mint in the bath enlivens the senses and restores the spirit so this is a wonderful bath for when you need a boost.

Rosemary

Rosemary is astringent, antiseptic, and diuretic and is considered an excellent tonic and all round stimulant with properties that promote sweating and increase bile flow. Rosemary is used in tonics, tinctures, teas, compresses, and poultices.

It's so easy to get both of these herbs fresh as well as dried. You need a handful of each and crush them using a mortar and pestle. Place your herbs into the middle of your cloth and tie up the corners.

Give your body a rub down

Rub your body all over with the herb bolus before you run it under the hot water tab of your bath, then drop the bolus in the bath and get in and enjoy the aroma and the benefits. Stay as long as you like, but 15 minutes would be best for a stimulating bath, much longer will start to make you tired.

After your bath, stand up in the bath and run the cold water tap through the bolus and briskly rub your body again with the herb bag, then splash your body with the bath water before stepping out.

Finish with a vigorous rub with a warm towel.

You should feel fabulous.