This Christmas I am giving some loved ones homemade herbal teabags to use in the bath and fragrance the water. If you're looking for an easy-to-make, eco-friendly and beneficial gift to give to those special people on your life, then this blog might just be for you...
It feels a bit unseasonal to be handling dried flowers in December, but it's good for the mind, body and soul to keep them within arm's reach, especially in the winter.
After receiving a forced Hyacinth bulb for Christmas a couple of years ago, and discovering how uplifting it was to watch it bloom throughout January; I wondered if giving spring-themed Christmas presents isn't actually an effective way to help your friends and family feel hopeful and positive through the slog of January and February.
I got the idea of herbal bath tea bags from my sister Charlotte. It sounded like a really opportune way to use up some empty tea bags I had left over from another project, and make a nice present at the same time. Both my sisters have young children, as does my sister-in-law, so bath time is regular occurrence in their households. Therefore I wanted to use herbs that were gentle and relaxing with a pleasant fragrance, so all family members, adults and children, could enjoy them.
Here's a little introduction to the dried botanicals I used:
Chamaemelum nobile - Chamomile
This is a lovely plant, one I actually have growing in my own garden. The foliage spreads to form a carpet of scented aromatic leaves, which smell a bit like apples. From spring to summer, white daisy-like flowers appear, with large yellow centres. The flowers are harvested, dried and used to make an infusion (chamomile tea in other words), which is said to be beneficial used internally or externally.
When used externally on the skin, Chamomile is said to serve as both an emollient and an anti-inflammatory, which in other words means it helps to lock in moisture, while soothing any inflammation.
Despite its multiple beneficial properties, people who are allergic to members of the daisy family may have an allergic reaction to this plant. Check before use.
Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary
Rosemary is a beloved evergreen in many gardens, as well as a classic culinary herb, and used widely. However, this aromatic plant is thought to have medicinal properties too, and is meant to be particularly affective in aiding memory, as well as reducing aches and pains. I think rosemary bath tea bags would be a lovely option for someone older, who loves a good soak in the tub. Or potentially it could be used to prepare a luxury foot or hand bath too?
Lavandula angustifolia – English Lavender and Rosa - Rose
Lavender and rose sure do make a pretty combination. To be honest I added the rose buds for the aesthetics rather than their scent. I think Lavender will be the dominant force here. Lavender is actually a Mediterranean native shrub, but it does well in the UK, as long as it has plenty of sunshine and well drained soil.
It is widely reported that the scent of lavender may help us all unwind and relax, promoting better sleep. Therefore using these lavender and rose teabags during the children's bath time is a nice way to settle them before bed. After trying one of these, I have to say that the affect can be just as potent on adults too! If using one of these Lavender bath teabags, be extra cautious if bathing alone and do not leave children unattended.
Also, be warned, the lavender might turn your bathwater blue!
Making the teabags
In terms of tools and materials, you will need large tea bags (I used fill-me-up drawstring teabags from Whittard), measuring spoons, labels, glass storage jars, and your dried botanicals, ideally organic.
Obviously you can put in as much or as little of your chosen botanicals as you would like. It depends on the size of your teabags and how strong you would like the fragrance to be. Labels are always a good idea, to remind the recipient of what they are adding to their bath.
Another note - a few of the flowers may escape from the teabag, so you may have to fish them out with a strainer, before emptying the tub. I double knotted the drawstrings at the top of the teabag before adding to the water to help prevent this.
You don't have to add the teabags to the bath water if you don't want to. You could fill a bowl with hot water and make the herbal infusion in that, before transferring the contents to your bath as you fill it up.
I have stored these herbal bath teabags in glass jam jars so that they are kept dry until use.
DISCLAIMER - Do your research - always look up potential allergies caused by plant material and make sure the recipient is aware of what you have used.
I hope this idea inspires you to give some botanical presents to your loved ones this Christmas. If you would like some more ideas, why not read my little list of spring-themed Christmas gift ideas for some more suggestions? Perhaps receiving a reminder that spring isn't really that far away might be what we all need as the new year approaches.
Thank you for reading. Have a great week.
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