If you're usually too hurried to take a bath, winter's the perfect time to start. Bathing warms you inside and out by increasing circulation throughout the body, especially to the heart. So those with heart disease or hypertension may want to consult with a doctor before taking a long soak.
"Using pine or eucalyptus essential oils in the bath can be especially therapeutic for those with colds or bronchial conditions," says aromatherapist Cynthia Andrews of Pasadena, Calif. "Pine and eucalyptus are antiseptic," says Charlene Florian, vice-president of Kerstin Florian, Inc., manufacturer of various lines of spa bathing products. "These oils can help clear nasal passages, relieve congestion and energize the senses."
Plant-based essential oils can be absorbed through the skin and have proven to be therapeutically effective. During bathing, the body also receives essential oils through inhalation, which may help explain why pine and eucalyptus oils help soothe cold sufferers' symptoms.
Stacey Malgram of Boston, Mass., says, "Bathing with oils can help keep your skin smooth in winter." She recommends the high-quality, organic essential oils from Nature's Gift.
Certain mineral salts are also thought to promote health. "I like to take baths with rosemary or chamomile bath salts before I go to bed," says Malgram. "It makes it easier to relax and switch into romantic mode with my husband."
To make a warming, fragrant bath that costs pennies, Ruth Pascal of Los Angeles suggests peeling the skin off a piece of raw ginger about the size of a toddler's fist. Dice the ginger and tie it up in some cheesecloth using a rubber band or string.
"Draw a hot bath and throw the ginger bundle into the tub as the water's running," Pascal says. "Let the bundle bob around in the water for five to 10 minutes while the water cools down to your liking." Remove the bundle, immerse yourself in the tub and enjoy.
