Essential oils for baths and saunas - disinfecting, soothing, healing, tonic, stimulating: methods of use, recipes for aromatic mixtures, important rules of use

Water bath: Instagram/sakhovskayayuliya A water bath is an indispensable way to heat food in everyday life. Without such technology it is impossible to imagine the work of most industries. Thanks to the water bath, we enjoy the taste of the most delicate confectionery products and have the opportunity to take care of our beauty and health. This is a modest list of the benefits of a water bath. For more information about what it is, in what cases it is used and how to set up a water bath with your own hands, read the article.

What does it mean to use a water bath at home?

This is discussed in our article. The key word here is “water”. Those. We heat the product or substance we need not with fire, but with water. The fact is that water boils at a temperature of no more than +100°C. At this temperature, the products that we need to heat in a water bath do not burn, they warm up more slowly and evenly, while retaining all their beneficial substances.

Honey, gelatin, chocolate, propolis, wax, paraffin, lard, soap are usually melted in a water bath. These substances are often used to prepare homemade masks and wraps.

It is also very good to brew herbs in a water bath; herbalists highly recommend this method of brewing as the most effective.

Therefore, if the recipe clearly states to melt or brew in a water bath, we strictly follow this instruction. How to make a water bath at home? What kind of dishes or pots are needed for a water bath?

There is nothing complicated here. Just take 2 pans of different sizes - larger and smaller. The smaller saucepan should fit completely, like a nesting doll, into the larger saucepan. By the way, instead of a large saucepan, you can use a basin or large bowl.

Aromatic compositions for baths

Many manufacturers offer bath compositions that have certain properties.

Bath spirit

The composition consists of three oils:

• fir;
• bergamot;
• eucalyptus.

The drugs affect the body as follows:

• increase the body's defenses;
• relieve depression;
• relieve fatigue;
• tone;
• prevent the occurrence of colds.

Essential oil "Bath Spirit"

Slender by nature

Composition for weight loss. The set includes the following oils:

• geraniums;
• juniper;
• grapefruit.

All products have fat burning properties. When used correctly and regularly, the composition acts as follows:

• reduces fat layer;
• eliminates the so-called orange peel;
• improves metabolic processes occurring in the body;
• suppresses appetite.

Essential oil “Slim by nature”

Zodiac elements

There are several types of composition:

• element of fire. Represented by lemon, lavender, juniper oil. Products improve blood circulation;
• element of water. The set includes lavender, lemon, and fir oils. The drugs improve the condition of the nervous system;
• element of earth. The composition consists of tea tree oil, eucalyptus, mint. Products invigorate, increase performance, stimulate mental activity;
• element of air. The set includes oil of orange, mint, eucalyptus. The remedies help cope with depression and improve mood.

Set of natural essential oils

Essential oils for baths

Water bath dishes

• What kind of dishes should I use for a water bath? As for a large saucepan (or basin), there are no special requirements, the main thing is that it be metal.
• A small saucepan can also be made of any metal, except when we are brewing herbs. To brew herbs, use enamel or glass containers.

Selecting dishes

Dishes – which one is suitable?

A more convenient bathhouse can be obtained from a wide, stable saucepan and a hemispherical Chinese WOK frying pan, which is larger than the diameter of the saucepan. You can use a bowl or deep ceramic dish of suitable diameter.

It is these water baths made from food-grade stainless steel that are manufactured in kitchenware factories and sold for use in “advanced” home cooking.

The inner container is made in the form of a saucepan or bowl with a lid.

In imported versions, these sets are called “Bain-marie” .

It’s easy to organize a “bathhouse” in a slow cooker - this is quite suitable utensils:

1. pour water into the multi-bowl;
2. if the set of accessories does not include a special stand, place something suitable in the center of the bowl (for example, a low tea cup);
3. place the form with the product on the stand;
4. close the lid and turn on the unit.

The “Baking” mode is suitable for cooking.

How to heat in a water bath?

• It’s very simple - you need to put a wooden circle or a small plank on the bottom of a large pan.
• Then carefully pour water into a large bowl. This is a very important point. There is no need to pour too much water into a large saucepan.
• The water level should reach approximately halfway up the height of the small pan.
• Then we load the product we need into a small saucepan and cover with a lid. Where required by the recipe, add water to the product.
• We wait for the water to boil in a large saucepan, then reduce the heat to the temperature recommended in the recipe. Place a small saucepan in a large one. We warm up for the required time.

If you find it difficult to cook in a water bath using the method that we have described, we can advise you on special devices for a water bath at home, which are sold in the store. In particular, you can use an electric Herbalist to brew herbs.

And now more about how to heat various products in a water bath.

Storage of the finished product

For newborns, use oil at room temperature. It is best to store the finished product in a cool and dark place. It is better to give the advantage to the refrigerator. Before direct use, you need to pour the required amount of oil into a small container and let it warm up.

Try not to sterilize the product in reserve. If necessary, it is better to prepare another jar. To begin with, no more than 150 grams will be enough.

We examined the question of how to sterilize oil for newborns. Not every modern mother is ready to engage in heat treatment of this product. And moreover, not every woman will agree to use such a product on her baby. Especially in our time, when a lot of doubts arise about a product purchased in a store, namely its quality.

We suggest you read: Distance between the bathhouse and the neighbor’s house

Peach oil can be an excellent alternative for such mothers. This is a universal baby care product. It has antimicrobial properties, so it is of great help in the fight against the first symptoms of colds.

Skin inflammations caused by irritations disappear after several uses of the oil. The natural product has antiseptic and moisturizing properties.

Despite the many benefits that vegetable oils have, you should consult your pediatrician before using any product.

Important! Peeling, redness and irritation on the baby’s delicate skin can have not only a physiological origin, but also be pathological.

How to melt honey in a water bath?

Honey has excellent anti-aging properties, so it is often included in anti-aging homemade masks.

But honey tends to become sugary and hard. You cannot apply solid honey to your skin or hair; it must be heated - then it will become liquid again.

Liquefying honey

To heat honey in a water bath, heat a large pan of water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Then put a small saucepan with honey in a large one with water. Stirring constantly, melt the honey in a water bath; as soon as the honey becomes liquid, immediately remove the saucepan with honey from the water bath.

Do not heat honey above +50-60°C. When heated at higher temperatures, honey loses all its beneficial properties.

Why sterilize oil

How to bathe a newborn baby for the first time at home

According to some parents, the child needs to be “accustomed” to the environment so that his immune system can fight back bacteria and viruses. This is a completely correct opinion. However, newborn skin needs special protection. She is more delicate and more prone to irritation. Therefore, you should not deliberately provoke contact of children’s skin with microorganisms. To prevent spoilage of the product and contact of the child’s body with harmful microbes, you need to boil it.

Gelatin in a water bath

You can make luxurious face and hair masks from gelatin (see the list of recipes for gelatin masks here).

To prepare masks, we need liquid gelatin. And in stores it is sold either in powder form or in the form of plates. To make gelatin liquid, you need to dissolve it in a water bath.

Gelatin powder (or plates) must first be filled with water in a ratio of approximately 1 tbsp. l. dry gelatin for 2 tbsp. l. water. Mix everything. Allow to swell for the time indicated on the gelatin package.

Then put the swollen gelatin in a small saucepan and place it in a large saucepan with water. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan, then reduce heat and melt the gelatin until liquid, stirring constantly.

Methods of using essential oils in the sauna and bath

The use of essential oils in the sauna and bathhouse
As you have already understood, essential oils, when used correctly, can improve a person’s health and normalize their emotional state. As practice shows, people who regularly visit a sauna or bathhouse recover from illness very quickly and, most importantly, get sick less often.

IMPORTANT: Essential oils should never be used in their pure form or dripped onto hot stones. Use in its pure form can provoke an allergic reaction and, as a result, vasospasm. If you pour oil directly onto hot stones, it will immediately begin to burn and release substances into the air that, instead of benefiting the body, will cause harm.

As a rule, these useful natural mixtures are diluted in water (at the rate of 3-5 drops per 1 liter of water), and then used for their intended purpose. There are several ways to use essential oils in baths and saunas, but they all have an equally good effect on the body.

Ways to use essential oils in the sauna and steam bath:

• Aroma lamps. As a rule, they are placed in the dressing room so that they fill the room in which people relax after visiting the steam room with useful substances.
• Solutions for bath brooms. In this case, the desired essential oil is added to the water into which the broom is subsequently dipped. Immediately after this, a classic massage with brooms is carried out, thanks to which beneficial substances penetrate the pores of the skin.
• Saturation of air with oils. In this case, you will also need to add the desired oil to the water, and then pour it into a spray bottle. Next, you will need to spray the useful mixture both in the waiting room and in the steam room itself.
• Rinse with essential oils. This method assumes that you will rinse with water and oils after leaving the steam room. There are two ways to do this. You can add the oil to a bucket of water and then pour it all over yourself. You can also soak gauze or a bandage in oils, secure everything on the shower, and then turn on high water pressure and rinse.
• Massage. Also, if desired, you can use essential oils for a relaxing massage after the steam room. In order to get a rejuvenating and relaxing effect, it will be enough to rub your body with your hands dipped in essential oil. For even more positive results, you can use patting, stroking and light pinching.

If none of the above methods work for you, you can always prepare an oil solution and then simply pour it on the floor of the steam room or place it in any heat-resistant container near the hot stones. In this case, beneficial substances will also evaporate and enter your body through the respiratory system.

How to brew herbs in a water bath?

As mentioned above, a water bath for brewing herbs is of the highest quality. For any infusions and decoctions of herbs, you should only use glass or enamel containers.

Prepare 2 pans for a water bath. Fill the larger one with water and let it heat up. Place the herbs or other plant materials you need in a small saucepan. Pour boiling water over the herbs at the rate of 1-2 tbsp. l. dry herbs for 1 cup boiling water.

Place a small saucepan of herbs in a larger saucepan of boiling water. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer the herbal decoction in a water bath for about 20 minutes.

What is it and how does it work?

This technology is used in many areas where something needs to be prepared. This could be cooking, making medicinal infusions, or cosmetics.

The principle of the method is simple: water is taken into a larger container and brought to a boil on the stove; when it boils, a smaller container is placed in it and the required product is prepared in it. It turns out that it is heated evenly at a constant temperature of 100 degrees.

This is the most useful

processing method, products do not burn, do not stick to the walls, and retain maximum beneficial properties.

This is how it is usually prepared:

• Creams for cakes;
• Sauces;
• Melt chocolate, honey, wax;
• Medicinal herbal teas.

If you often have to resort to this cooking method, buy yourself a special unit, and these are now on sale. However, it will take up extra space in the kitchen and is not cheap, but the result is the same as from ordinary pans. So think before you spend money on it.

Cottage cheese in a water bath

• Kefir or curdled milk - 1 l

Preparation:

• If you decide to ferment the milk first, then add a spoonful of fermented milk product (kefir, sour cream, yogurt) and leave until thickened. Can be covered or placed on a radiator.
• If you use kefir, just pour it into a jar.
• Line the bottom of the pan with a cloth.
• The jar should be almost completely filled into the pan. Leave 5-7 cm above cold water.
• Place the pan over medium heat.
• Immediately after boiling, turn off the heat.
• Cover the saucepan with a bowl and leave to cool.
• Strain carefully. The original amount of liquid will yield approximately 200 g of cottage cheese.

Homemade cottage cheese

Water bath for chocolate

We need chocolate not only for cooking, but also for our beauty. Chocolate, for example, can be used to make wonderful masks or body wraps.

For these purposes, we need chocolate in liquid form. To get liquid chocolate you need to make a water bath for it.

• First, break the chocolate into small pieces and then place it in a small saucepan. You can add a few drops of water to the chocolate.
• Then place a small saucepan with chocolate in a large one with boiling water, and, stirring continuously, bring the chocolate to a liquid state in a water bath.

Cream in a water bath

Protein cream can also be prepared in a water bath. It will even be a protein custard in a water bath, to be more precise.

Take:

• 3 raw proteins
• 150 g sugar
• half a teaspoon of citric acid
• half a packet of vanilla

Further:

• Whisk all ingredients thoroughly in a small saucepan.
• Place it in a large saucepan of boiling water. Make sure that their bottoms do not touch.
• Beat the cream in a water bath for 10 minutes until it becomes very thick.
• Remove the saucepan from the water and whisk the cream for a couple more minutes.
• The gorgeous white thick cream for the cake is ready.

Cream

When is vegetable oil needed?

If you have two or more children, then this question is no longer relevant for you. How to sterilize vegetable oil for a newborn will be of interest to young mothers who still have one baby.

Let's look at information about why it is necessary to use oil for children. It's quite simple:

1. Sometimes you can’t immediately guess exactly what to wear for your baby. As a result of overheating, the baby may experience heat rash.
2. With constant movements of the arms and legs in the hot season, friction damage often occurs on the skin.
3. Due to the structural features of babies, namely the presence of a large number of folds, dermatitis and diaper rash often occur. For parents, such phenomena cause a lot of anxiety.
4. Most newborns have yellow crusts on their scalp. They do not go away on their own over time. It is necessary to devote time to this process and also take care of the scalp so that the hair can grow well. If you let the problem take its course, the child’s skin will begin to itch, and this will cause him to experience considerable discomfort.

Oil in a water bath

Heating the oil in a water bath is very simple. Take 1 kg of oil and do the following:

• Cut the butter into small pieces.
• Place the oil in a water bath for an hour and a half.
• We take the coagulated protein that will collect on top into a separate container. This is a great addition to porridges and pancakes. But its shelf life is not long.
• If the butter is not homemade, then it is better to throw away this protein foam. But there will be more benefits from a homemade product.
• After the specified time, strain the ghee from the sediment. This pure product can be stored for up to 10 months. And it will become a useful addition to your kitchen.

How to make compositions with your own hands

You can compose compositions for visiting the bathhouse yourself. When selecting funds, take into account what results you want to get from them:

• treatment of colds. Mix pine, fir, mint, eucalyptus, and citrus oils. Quickly relieve symptoms of diseases, improve the condition of the respiratory system;
• increasing firmness and elasticity of the epidermis, skin rejuvenation. This result can be obtained by mixing rose, lavender, dill, jasmine, orange, bay oil, as well as fennel, thuja, and tea tree oil. The composition helps smooth out wrinkles, improves complexion and the condition of the epidermis;
• get rid of depression, stress. Take rose, lavender, tangerine, myrtle oil, as well as cumin. The composition relieves feelings of causeless anxiety, relieves fatigue, and improves mood.

Attention! The main rule of composition is not to mix more than 4 products.

Water bath for wax

Wax is a natural product that is included in many cosmetic products. But add it to homemade cream, mask, lipstick, etc. only available in liquid form. To acquire a liquid consistency, you need to melt the wax in a water bath.

A water bath is made for wax in the same way as for honey. Water is never added to wax. Stirs continuously.

Melt the wax

The best products for the steam room

There are several oils that can be used in the bath.

Eucalyptus

The main active ingredient of the product is cineole. This substance has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Helps get rid of colds and improves the condition of the respiratory system.

Eucalyptus essential oil

Thyme oil

This remedy has sedative properties. It calms, helps to relax, normalizes sleep. Has a positive effect on the nervous system. Regular use of thyme oil helps get rid of insomnia.

Eucalyptus essential oil

Lavender

This product is soothing and helps you relax. Helps cleanse the epidermis of acne and other rashes. Normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands.

Lavender essential oil

Cypress

This remedy is recommended for people suffering from pathologies of the respiratory system. It has mucolytic properties. Helps remove mucus from the lungs and relieves runny nose. Improves the condition of mucous membranes. Cypress oil also has the following properties:

• normalizes hormone levels;
• improves metabolism;
• has a positive effect on the nervous system;
• relieves symptoms of menopause.

Essential oil "Cypress"

Sosnovoe

One of the most useful products. The product affects the body as follows:

• cleanses the epidermis of rashes, including pathological ones;
• helps get rid of diseases of the respiratory system;
• cures runny nose, sinusitis;
• improves the condition of the heart and blood vessels;
• promotes recovery after a heart attack;
• increases potency in men.

Pine oil

Melissa oil

Another useful product that gives this effect:

• tones;
• increases the body's defenses;
• has a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system;
• improves reproductive function in women;
• promotes rejuvenation.

Melissa oil

Other oils

Other oils listed in the tables can also be used in the sauna.

Table 1. Essential oils for sauna with medical effect:

Essential oils for sauna with medical effect

Table 2. Essential oils for sauna with cosmetic effect:

Essential oils for sauna with cosmetic effect

Table 3. Essential oils for sauna with aromatherapy effect:

Essential oils for sauna with aromatherapy effect

Essential oils for sauna

Lard in a water bath

Few people know that lard is a gift from nature for our beauty. It perfectly softens and nourishes the skin. Therefore, beauty recipes with lard are not a joke, but ideal care, especially for dry or rough skin.

But raw lard is not suitable for cosmetic purposes; it must be melted in a water bath.

• First, cut the lard into very small pieces - the smaller the better.
• Pour the lard into a small saucepan and place it in a large saucepan of boiling water.
• Reduce the heat slightly and wait until the lard is completely melted.

For what?

In all of the previously listed cases, it is necessary to use vegetable oil that has undergone proper sterilization. Then they need to lubricate the folds, scales on the head, as well as the area behind the ears, under the knees, elbows, armpits and feet. Maximum attention should be paid to the baby's dry skin. This is especially true for babies who were born post-term.

Attention! Remember that only a little oil is needed. If you take more than necessary, there is a risk of clogged pores. And the saturation of the body of newborns with oxygen occurs partially through the skin.