In our community a mama is getting ready to have a baby which got me thinking about making an herbal bath tea mix for her as part of her postpartum package.
What’s better than a bath right?
Much like the herbs we consume in a tincture or a tea, the herbs used in a bath tea soaks into your skin and gives you the needed benefits of that herb. For postpartum time certain focus can be made to help the mama heal from birth and provide relaxing relief.
Whether you are choosing herbs to grow for their color like lavender, for their special uses to relax like chamomile or helping your body heal during postpartum time, keep reading for easy to grow herbs and tips on growing those herbs in your summer garden.
Plant & Harvest
You do not need a lot to get started with a tea garden, even in the summer. There are containers you can buy which can contain only one type of plant, which can be enough for yourself if you plan on not making it for anyone else.
The thing you need to ask yourself is how much of the herb are you planning on using?
If you are making it for someone else as a gift and keeping some for yourself as part of self care then you will have to adjust how much you plant and how many containers you need accordingly.
Another thing to remember is the type of soil and plants or seeds you buy. Always keeping in mind organic items because you do not need chemicals going onto your skin to be absorbed into your body.
When harvesting the plant, make sure the morning dew is gone, I always harvest after the bees have had their full during the day. All you have to do is cut the plant with the stem and flower, put into a bunch and then hang them upside down to dry. Another way to lay them flat on a screen and wait till they dry, but this method takes up more space in my experience.
Whichever drying method you choose, once the plant is dry, carefully remove all the flowers and leaves from the stem and put them into an airtight container away from sunlight with a label of which herb it is.
Summer garden herbs
The herbs you choose will depend on what you are trying to achieve. During the summer, relaxation is something that I love to focus on as so much of my time is taken up with taking care of children.
Relaxation is usually the focus for a lot of women as they see a bath as part of self care.
I mentioned the mama about to give birth in our community, it is something you can consider if you might have a birth coming up or someone in your own community whom you can provide a special gift to.
Below are a list of herbs perfect for achieving relaxation, and I included herbs which you might consider if you or someone you know might be also in need of healing as well.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow has been around since the time of the Egyptians. It is pretty easy to find out in the wild and this is how I get it majority of the time. Yarrow is known as a healing herb good for issues such as hemorrhoids or after childbirth. With its anti inflammatory effects, it is great for using in issues such as minor aches and pains.
Growing tips:
If you do not find yarrow out in the wild and want to grow your own it often thrives in seemingly poorest of soils. It grows best in full sun, is extremely drought tolerant and will not tolerate growing in poorly drained soil. It prefers sandy, gravely lo but will also grow well in rich garden soils.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm is native to Europe and the Mediterranean. It is part of the mint family and has a bit of a lemony taste. It has nervine properties can can reduce tension, relieve agitation and help the body to relax. It is an antiviral and a good source of vitamin C making it useful for infection protocols as well.
Growing tips:
Lemon balm grows well in full sun to partial shade. It needs good fertile but not extremely fertile, well drained, loamy soil. It can grow in one spot for many seasons but after 3 or 4 harvests the strands may be tiered and you can plant a new one. If you’re using this in a bath or later for medicinal purposes, maintain its quality by drying it at a lower temperature with good airflow and no sunlight.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
I love this plant so much for its many benefits and always grow it. It grows two feet tall and its flowers bloom in mid to late summer. It has anti inflammatory and mild sedative properties. This is one plant that’s being included for postpartum mamas as they can bathe with their babies in chamomile to help mama and baby relax.
Growing tips:
I planted this plant along with California Poppy mainly because they like the same soil conditions. It does well in cooler climates with full sun and well drained soil. The plant will self seed if you let it but often cannot compete with the weeds in the area. Because of this I replant it every year.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula is often referred to as pot marigold with its flowers being yellow or orange in color. It is used both internally and externally. Externally the flowers are used to heal burns or skin abrasions because it is antiseptic and anti microbial. With its skin benefits and beauty, it’s a perfect complement to your bath garden.
Growing tips:
Calendula does well in full sun and in well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It doesn’t need special nutrients but does like good fertility and organic matter. Plant this beautiful plant where you can see it
Variations
You can use a variation of herbs for a bath, it really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Many of the herbs that are mentioned above can be planted and used throughout the summer season for a nice self care routine as a way to cool down. For calming purposes you can use herbs such as lavender, rose calendula and chamomile.
If you are planning on using this bath for a specific purpose then think of the medicinal qualities you need and include the herb. So for example if you are needing skin nourishment or are dealing with in infection you can include a garden weed like plantain along with calendula.
Other types of herbs to consider for an herbal bath:
- comfrey
- sage
- rosemary
- oatstraw
- hibiscus
Many of those you can either grow yourself of find good suppliers if you want to get creative with a bath routine.
Recipe
There are a two main ways that a bath tea can be made. I prefer making the tea ahead of time and mixing it in with the bath water and others do it differently where they put the mixed herbs in a cotton cloth and let the bath water run under the cloth to let the herbs steep that way. See which way is easier for you.
1 cup of chosen herb blend (ex: chamomile, yarrow, calendula)
4 cups of boiling water
Let the herbs steep for a solid 20 min in the water and then strain.
You can also use a French press and steep for 20 min.
Add into your bath.
If you are using essential oils add 3-10 drop to Epsom salts or honey and then add to the bath.
Magnesium can ease pain and heal skin. You can add 1/2 -1 cup per bath.
Milk nourishes and softens skin. Use 1/2 cup full fat milk.
Oats soothe dry, itchy skin and are anti inflammatory. Use 1/2-1 cup per bath.
Honey softens, moisturizes, and nourishes the sin. Use 1/2 -1 cup per bath.
Final thoughts
If you are drying your own herbs you can pre make your own bath blend in layers with about 2 tbsp of eat herb in an airtight container.
If using a drawstring linen bag to soak your mix in use about 2 tbsp of your mix to put into your bag to let it steep in the water with you if you choose or you can do it the other way where you steep the herbs ahead of time and use in the bath water.
If you find yourself in an herb abundance this year then you can prepare the mix ahead of time and put into drawstring bags and give them out as gifts to the women in your community.
I know a lot of women would appreciate a customized blend of bath herbs.
Maybe there is a postpartum mama that needs it as well in which you can also gift to her as water is so healing during the postpartum time.
Whichever way you use it, you know what exactly is in it and that’s what makes it so amazing. No chemicals, no fragrances, no dyes.
Nature’s bounty.
Hope this helps you on your journey.
Much love,
Krystina
