This post is actually a two-in-one because to make an herbal bath, you’ll have to make an herbal tea first! So I’ll walk you through both here. This is a great companion post to my recent post, How to Take Control of You Child’s Misbehavior at School. In general, herbal baths are a great way to use herbal remedies with kids because they are absorbed through the skin (the largest organ in the body!) while your kiddo enjoys playing in the tub.

Start with the Tea

To make an herbal tea, you’ll generally want to use the ratio of one ounce of the herb to two cups of water. This ratio will be used for tea made for drinking and use in baths for children over the age of 18 months. The only exception is when making a tea for use in baths for little ones under 18 months; for them use the ratio of one ounce of the herb to one quart of water. If you’re making a blend, you can use equal amounts of each herb.

When making an herbal tea for use in a bath, make a quart of tea. Add the herbs to the water, and give it a stir. Bring the water to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the tea so there are no loose herbs floating in it. (You can use the metal strainer that I linked to in 3 Steps to Make Your Own Bone Broth.)

If you’re making the tea to drink, it can be sweetened at this point while it’s still warm. If you’re planning to use it for a bath, read on.

Run Your Bath

Run a bath as you normally would, adding the tea while the bath is running. By adding the tea when the bath is running, the tea will be well mixed into the bath. In addition, it will let you get a feel for the temperature of the bath with the addition of the hot tea. You’ll want the temperature to be “normal” bath temperature.

Let your kiddo play and soak in the tub for at least 20 minutes. If they’re soaking in an herbal bath, there isn’t usually a need to wash them with soap in addition to the soaking.

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The views expressed in this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition and should not be substituted for medical or nutritional advice.