When you want to add herbs or flowers to a tea bath but don't want the mess, let me share this simple secret – grab a cheesecloth.
Tea Bath Explained for those who Don’t Know:
A tea bath involves immersing oneself in warm bathwater infused with a blend of tea leaves, herbs, and flowers. The combination of these natural ingredients provides numerous benefits, including aromatherapy, stress relief, and an overall sense of relaxation.
In addition to self-care, tea baths can also be used for spiritual purposes, such as cleansing, protection, chakra balancing, and intention-setting. By selecting specific herbs and tea blends that align with one's goals, tea baths offer a personalized and rejuvenating experience that promotes holistic well-being for the body, mind, and soul.
Tea Bath Conundrum
Tea baths are beautiful, as I'm sure you've seen many a gorgeous picture on Pinterest of aesthetic floral baths. However, these pictures don't tell the full story; they can be incredibly messy and even pose a plumbing hazard. While I appreciate these picture-perfect baths, I find them unrealistic for my everyday practice, as I'm a very practical witch at heart.
This is where the humble yet wildly useful cheesecloth lends its versatile hand. It's the ideal vessel for containing your ingredients mess-free while they steep in the bathwater. Cheesecloth is easy to find in stores, inexpensive, multi-purpose, and compostable (check the label to make sure it's made of organic materials first).
How-To Tea Bath:
Gathering the Ingredients:
Collecting ingredients for your tea bath can be as simple as intuitively raiding your pantry, picking from your garden, or gathering items during a nature walk. Alternatively, you can create a list and source ingredients from various places if you have a more specific spiritual intention in mind. There's no right or wrong way to do this; enjoy the process and gather what calls to you.
Make Your Blend:
Once you have your ingredients its time to create your blend, simply toss in a bowl and combine. If you need inspiration, I'll provide a few recipes at the bottom of this post.
Some Notes:
- The process of blending ingredients may differ for each individual and their chosen purpose. A few different approaches you can take include: allowing your freshly collected herbs and flowers to dry, then grinding them with a mortar and pestle and combining them; combining freshly acquired flowers and herbs directly; or purchasing dried ingredients.÷
- You can use both fresh and dried ingredients for your tea bath. Fresh ingredients, like herbs and flowers, add a vibrant and potent aroma to the bath, while dried ingredients often have a more concentrated fragrance and a longer shelf life.
- When using fresh ingredients, ensure they are clean and free of pesticides or other chemicals. You may need to use a larger quantity of fresh herbs and flowers compared to dried ones to achieve the desired intensity of fragrance and benefits.
- Dried ingredients are generally more convenient to store and can be used year-round, regardless of seasonal availability. They also tend to infuse more easily into the bathwater.
The Part Where the Cheesecloth Comes In:
After you've gathered your ingredients and made your blend, grab your cheesecloth. Spread out a square piece (about 12x12 inches) and place your tea blend in the center. Gently gather the corners together and tie them with a piece of twine or string.
Infusing the Waters:
Start your bath, let the water flow and hold the cheesecloth pouch under the faucet. Watch as the water's warmth releases your tea blend's essence, infusing the bath with its properties. The cheesecloth serves as a gentle barrier, keeping the herbs and flowers contained while allowing their benefits to be shared with the water. Allow your cheesecloth pouch to soak for at least 5 minutes, treating it like a cup of tea.
A Healing Submersion:
Step into the warm, aromatic waters and let yourself be enveloped by your tea bath for at least 20 minutes. This is your moment to enjoy what you've made and receive its benefits.
The Cleanup:
As your tea bath experience comes to a close, remove the cheesecloth pouch and part ways with the used tea blend. The cheesecloth, having fulfilled its purpose, can be washed and dried for your next moment of tranquility or composted.
To Wrap It Up:
So, there you have it – a simple practice that highlights the truth that even the most unassuming items, such as a cheesecloth and a blend of herbs and flowers, can come together to create a powerful moment of calm. This serves as a gentle reminder that sometimes, the simplest things found easily around us can bring sweet moments.
Consider this your invitation to break free from the relentless pursuit of new and more, and instead rebel, go for a walk, pick some flowers, and treat yourself to a homemade tea bath.
As Promised, Some Tea Bath Recipes:
Note: I’ve also included essential oils and crystals that work well for each tea bath recipe, which can enhance your bathing experience if you choose to incorporate them.
I’ve noted which crystals are water-safe, but it is important to double-check and use caution when submerging crystals in water, as some can be damaged. To be on the safe side, you can place crystals near your bathtub or create a crystal grid around the bath instead of submerging them in water. This way, you can still benefit from their energy without risking damage to the crystals.
🌱 All-Purpose Tea Bath:
This recipe is perfect for beginners and offers a soothing, all-around experience. Ingredients can be found easily at local health food stores, supermarkets, or online retailers, and they may even be in your yard.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
- 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers
- 1/4 cup dried rose petals
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Add your blend to a cheesecloth and tie it closed. Place the bag under warm running water as you fill your bathtub. Relax in the bath for at least 20 minutes.
Optional Additions:
Essential oils:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Geranium
Crystals:
- Rose quartz (Water-safe)
- Amethyst (Water-safe, but prolonged exposure may cause color to fade over time)
- Clear quartz (Water-safe)
🍀 Good Luck Tea Bath:
This blend is designed to attract good luck and positive energy.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried basil leaves
- 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers
- 1/4 cup mint
Instructions: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Place the mixture in a cheesecloth and tie it closed. Put the bag under warm running water and visualize good luck coming your way while filling your bathtub. Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes to absorb the positive energy.
Optional Additions:
Essential oils:
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Ginger
Crystals:
- Citrine (Water-safe)
- Green aventurine (Water-safe)
👁️ Third Eye Chakra Balancing Tea Bath:
This recipe aims to balance and enhance the third eye chakra, which is associated with intuition and psychic abilities.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
- 1/4 cup dried mugwort leaves
- 1/4 cup dried rosemary leaves
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Transfer the blend to a cheesecloth and tie it closed. Place the bag under warm running water as you fill your bathtub. Immerse yourself in the bath for at least 20 minutes, focusing on balancing your third eye chakra and listening to your intuition. You may find it helpful to journal after this bath, to further strengthen your intuition muscle.
Optional Additions:
Essential oils:
- Frankincense
- Clary sage
- Sandalwood
Crystals:
- Lapis lazuli (Water-safe, but prolonged exposure may cause color to fade over time)
- Labradorite (Water-safe)
- Sodalite (Water-safe)
Related Posts:
From Garden to Altar: How to Make Loose Incense from Flowers
Finding Meaning in Nature: The Basics of Flower Divination
The Mindful Witch's Guide to Slow Living: Unplug, Unwind, Unleash Your Magic
