Using Essential Oils in Bath Water for Relaxation and Healing

Using essential oils in bath water can help you relax and heal. The best essential oils for a bath depend on the results you want and personal preference. However, avoid "hot" or skin-irritating oils such as cinnamon or oregano.

Essential Oil Bath Safety

Because essential oils and water don't mix, make sure all your bath blends contain one of the following ingredients to disperse the essential oils:

• Foaming product, such as castile soap, baby shampoo, shower gel
• Vegetable oil used as a carrier oil
• Dispersant, such as Solubol or Polysorbate 20 or 80
• Natrasorb Bath (INCI Tapioca Starch)

These ingredients do not disperse oils: alcohol, aloe vera gel, baking soda, cornstarch, glycerin, milk, salt, witch hazel.

You will find plenty of bath recipes on the internet and in books that don't contain a dispersant. You can add one as follows:

• Foaming product or carrier oil: 5 to 20 drops essential oils in 1 tablespoon (1 to 4% dilution)
• Dispersant: 5 to 20 drops essential oils in 5 to 20 drops of dispersant
• Natrasorb: 5 to 20 drops essential oils in 2 tablespoons

Source: Robert Tisserand 

Aromatherapy Bath Oil

A basic way to make a bath soak with essential oils is to blend an aromatherapy bath oil in a small dark bottle: add 25 drops of essential oil(s) to 2 tablespoons carrier oil. Use 1 teaspoon for one bath.

Lavender essential oil is a great choice for general relaxation. You can get imaginative with your essential oil choices (remember to avoid irritating oils) or try one of the following blends suggested in Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art:

• Relaxing: lavender, marjoram, neroli, and Roman chamomile
• Stimulating: grapefruit, peppermint, and rosemary
• Balancing: geranium, lavender, and orange
• Aphrodisiac: jasmine, sandalwood, and ylang ylang
  

For an extra relaxing boost, also add 2 cups Epsom salt to your bath water. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which is a natural depression reliever and muscle relaxer.

Essential oil recipes for bath enjoyment in this article:

• Healing Bath Blends
• Bath Blend for Sleep
• Detox Bath
• Jet Lag Relief
• More Essential Oil Blends For Bath Products

Also, learn how to make aromatherapy bath salts, use essential oils for bath bombs, and use essential oils for the shower.

Healing Blends of Essential Oils in Bath Water

Blend the ingredients and add them to your bath.

To ease depressed feelings:

• 1 drop melissa essential oil
  
• 2 drops rose essential oil
• 2 drops jasmine oil
  
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  

See more aromatherapy for depression suggestions.

To reduce anxiety:

• 3 drops roman or german chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 drop mandarin essential oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  

To help you sleep:

• 4 drops marjoram essential oil
• 2 drops roman or german chamomile essential oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  

See more blends for insomnia.

To reduce fluid retention or edema:

• 4 drops juniper essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  
• 2 cups sea salt

To reduce heat and inflammation:

• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar

To relieve muscle soreness and stiffness:

• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops juniper essential oil
• 6 drops rosemary essential oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  
• 2 cups Epsom salt

Sources: Healing With Aromatherapy and Pure Scents for Well Being.

Sleep-Promoting Essential Oil Bath Recipe

If you need help sleeping, try this blend of essential oils in bath water before bedtime:

• 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
• 1/4 cup almond oil
• 1 tablespoon brandy
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 drops rose essential oil
• 2 drops jasmine oil
  
• 1 drop neroli essential oil
  
• 1 drop patchouli essential oil
• 1 drop ylang ylang essential oil

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Pour into a small, dark glass bottle.
3. Shake before each use, and add up to 2 tablespoons to a bath.
4. Store away from heat and damp.
   

Source: Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home

Best Essential Oils for Bath Detox

This detox bath is adapted from a recipe by aromatherapist KG Stiles: 

1. Add 5 to 8 drops of cypress essential oil (or other detoxifying essential oil or blend) to one teaspoon carrier oil.
2. Stir the oil blend into 1 to 4 cups of sea salt.
3. Fill your tub with warm/hot water and stir in blend.
4. Relax in the bath for 15 to 20 minutes or until the water cools. As you soak, imagine any toxins or negative emotions being drawn out and cleansed completely from your body and mind.
   

Stock Detox Bath Blend

To a 15ml dark-color glass dropper bottle add:

• 50 drops ravensara essential oil
• 50 drops lavender essential  oil
• 50 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil

To use: dilute 5 to 6 drops in one teaspoon carrier oil. Source: Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Library

Jet Lag Relief

Take this bath immediately before going to bed

• 1 teaspoon liquid castile soap
• 6 drops lavender
• 2 drops marjoram essential oil
• 2 drops geranium essential oil

Blend essential oils and soap. Stir into bath.

Source: The Magic and Power of Lavender

More Essential Oil Blends for Bath Products

Here are some additional essential oil blends you can use in bath products:

To wake up/feel energized or invigorated:

• orange + lemongrass
• lemon + peppermint
• peppermint + orange + lemon + lime
  

To calm down/relax/unwind:

• lavender + bergamot + ylang ylang
• eucalyptus + spearmint
• patchouli + sandalwood
  

To uplift and find your happy place:

• geranium + lemon + orange
• lavender + clary sage + bergamot
  

To support clear breathing:

• peppermint or rosemary + eucalyptus + lavender
• rosemary + cedarwood + orange + frankincense

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Carol Wiley is a retired massage therapist and freelance writer. She uses her deep interest in aromatherapy and essential oils to research their benefits and uses and bring you summaries and blends with links to more resources.

If you find this site useful, you can show your support by buying through my affiliate links. The site is a labor of love, and I appreciate any income that helps keep it up and running.

Buy essential oils at Aromatics International or Rocky Mountain Essential Oils.
Buy massage supplies at Massage Naturals.
But anything at Amazon.

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Photo Credit: Poznyakov/123RF Stock Photo

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