Is it just us or the older you get, the more you want to just sink into a hot bath until you can only just see Bridgerton playing (for a third time through) on a precariously perched laptop?
We've even perfected the full faux spa situation: candles (also precarious), a bath pillow and serious amounts of indulgent bath oil.
Even the A-list are obsessed with bathing.
From the queen of all things indulgent glamour, Mariah Carey, who revealed that the rumour about her bathing in milk like a real life Cleopatra is actually true, 'I bathe in milk...sometimes I use it as a beauty treatment', to Madonna who's been known to shun Coachella to take a good long soak in a bath full of basil instead.
Known for its antiseptic and inflammatory qualities (as well as its ability to make a caprese salad taste delicious) basil is actually a great way to soothe acne prone skin and relieve itchy, dry scalps. Who knew?
Just as home remedies can work wonders for your skin, combining ingredients into a 'bath tea' can help to soothe tired limbs, soften dry heels and generally add a little more zen to your evening soak situation.
'Using herbs and other natural ingredients in the bath is a practice that goes back as far as Cleopatra's time; she was famed for bathing in milk and honey to achieve soft skin,' says founder of Ermana Skincare, Claire Twigge-Molecey.
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More glamorous than your regular brew, and even better for you than your daily green tea, bath tea bags are pretty much what they say on the tin - a cloth bag filled with herbs, flowers, salts etc.
Simply fill, tie, and hook over your hot tap while you run your bath as usual, letting the water flow through the tea bag to create an indulgent bespoke soak.
Everything You Need To Know About Making 'Bath Tea'
You will need:
1. A tie top muslin bag
These are ideal but a stretch of cheese cloth from that home-made almond milk you were casually whipping up or some white cotton tied at the top with string work just as well.
2. A mix of herbs and spices (see recipes below)
4 DIY Bath Tea Recipes
1.The Chill Mix (courtesy of Martha Stewart)
- Dried Lemon Verbena
- Dried Lavender
- Dried Peppermint
- Dried Chamomile
Why It's A Bath Win
Peppermint and lemon verbena rejuvenate and refresh whilst lavender is well known for its soothing and calming properties that can ease headaches, anxiety and stress. Once you've come round to the slightly old school scent (think L'Occitane pillow spray rather than your Nan's favourite perfume), it's a winner.
FUN FACT: The ancient Romans used lavender to scent their public baths and the origin of the word comes from the Latin 'lavandus' which actually means 'to wash'.
2. The Cleopatra (courtesy of Claire Twigge-Molecey, founder of Ermana Skincare)
- Powdered Milk
- Epsom Salts
- Uncooked Oats
- Dried Lavender
- Manuka Honey
Why It's A Bath Win
The powdered milk softens and soothes skin whilst loosening any dead skin cells, whilst the honey acts an antioxidant and a healing agent for dry or damaged skin.
NOTE: Do not use granola. Repeat after us: 'A sticky bath does not make a successful bath.'
3. The Disney Princess
- Dried Rose Petals
- Dried Lavender
- Dried White Sage
- Pink Himalayan Salts
Why It's A Bath Win
First off, who doesn't want to sit in a bath full of rose petals? Secondly, the rose infuses into the hot water to create the floral-scented bath of dreams. Add to that some sage to help clear your mind and pink Himalayan salts to balance pH and ease sore muscles.
4. The Skin Soother
- Epsom Salts
- Oatmeal
- Dried Lavender
- Lavender Essential Oil
Why It's A Bath Win
Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory agents that soothe dry, irritated skin and is known to help eczema, whilst Epsom salts soothe tired muscles and achey joints.
Bath Tea Tip: Use the oat bag to rub over particularly dry patches on your arms and legs to help exfoliate and smooth.
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