Green, Chamomile and More Teas for Relaxation

When you’ve been running around like a madwoman all day you probably need something stronger than a cup of chamomile, so why not pour that tea in your bath instead? The tea bath is a quick, simple solution for a makeshift spa day (or spa half hour), with plenty of beauty benefits. Moreover certain antioxidant-rich teas can make for a luxurious detox treatment.

So why bathe with tea when you could use Epsom salts or hunt down a bath bomb? Well, to begin with, it may save you a trip to Bath and Bodyworks if you already have teas in your pantry and need something on the immediate. But many herbal blends are ideal for sweating out toxins, calming your nerves, relieving muscle tensions, stimulating circulation and rejuvenating skin.

Likewise, the argument for bathing in tea versus simply drinking it is all about reaping the benefits quickly. When you bathe in green tea, you’re directly absorbing the nutrients in your skin versus sipping a cup every once and a while and getting disappointed that you’re not glowing with health. In short, it’s easy, it’s quick, it’s all-natural, and it’ll be a fun, different treat for your skin!

However, while there doesn’t have to be real artistry in a tea bath, you can’t (or you shouldn’t, at least) absentmindedly pour boiling water and bags of Earl Grey into your tub and hope for the best. Instead, it’s more about finding health-promoting herbal teas to soak yourself in. Ahead, we’ve got info on how to easily draw yourself a bath and teas that are recommended to give you the best experience.

How to Make a Hot Tea Bath

There are three ways to safely do this, so let’s unpack them carefully.

The easiest way to draw a bath is to have it hot but not scalding and to let approximately six tea bags steep in it before plunging yourself in. It’s perhaps the least glamorous option, and if you could spare a bit more time to try out the other methods, that might be ideal. However, we know you’re busy, so yes, this should work if you have an overstock of green tea and don’t want to overthink it.

The second trick is to brew a pot of tea and then let it steep for about 10 minutes. As that’s happening you want to draw a hot bath, and pour the tea in once it’s ready. Then make sure to add some cool water to lower the temperature to your body’s personal preference.

The other method is to use a make-shift tea bag. If you have even the most basic sewing skills you can make one yourself out of a thin, natural fabric like muslin or if you’re lazy (like us) simply purchase muslin bags. Then fill your bag with either loose tea or tea bags that you’ve already gutted.

Small words of caution: You’ll need a hot bath to sweat out your toxins, but some people could feel slightly dizzy from this. Be sure to hydrate before and after. Moreover, certain teas (particularly darker ones) could temporarily stain your tub, so just be aware that you might need a second rinse.

Chamomile

Benefits: Chamomile is particularly kind to your skin, if you suffer from adult acne or just want a glowing complexion, it can do wonders for you. It’s stress-relieving, like many of the herbs on our list, but it’s a particularly good tea lulling one back to sleep. So if you could use a restful night, we would recommend bathing with chamomile before you go to bed.