Herbal bath tea makes a wonderful homemade gift, especially if that gift recipient is you! By blending together botanicals known for their nervine effects, this recipe includes chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flowers and rose (Rosa spp.) petals to combine relaxation with aromatics.

Chamomile contains a flavonoid, apigenin, thought to be the source of the plant’s sedative attributes. Apigenin works on brain receptors to induce sleepiness (Gupta et al., 2010), making it perfect for a relaxing bath. Also, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile is often used in water preparations to reduce irritation in dry skin (Justis, 2015). Rose petals offer similar nervine properties, soothing the senses and inducing a calming effect while reducing irritation in dry skin (Justis, 2015).

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) essential oil, made from the rind of the bergamot orange, has been found in studies to reduce anxiety by activating the GABAergic system of the body associated with muscle tension and anxiety (Lizarraga‐Valderrama, 2020). Combined with the nervine effects of rose petals and chamomile flowers, bergamot is the ideal finishing touch to this soothing bath brew.

Because water and oil do not mix, it’s best not to add essential oils directly to your bath water where they may float on top and come in direct contact with your skin. In the recipe, below, we blend the bergamot essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil to dilute the essential oils before mixing them with the herbal salts. Learn more about how to use essential oils in the bath in Essential Oil Bath Safety: What to Do & Not Do.

This simple bath tea utilizes ‘parts’ instead of specific measures. Make as much of the herbal blend as you like—just be sure to keep the ratios the same. This allows the botanicals to complement rather than overwhelm each other. Self-sealing tea bags come in various sizes, making them ideal for creating an herbal tea you want to drink and soak in. If you don’t have empty tea bags on hand, cheesecloth is a wonderful substitute.