BATHING BASICS

Always start with a clean bath tub, add a quality bath additive to the water, light some candles and/or incense, make sure you won’t be disturbed for the next 20 minutes of bliss. A half hour or more snuggling under a warm blanket after a bath increases its benefits.

SAFETY

Refrain from taking sedating/relaxing baths if you are fatigued, drinking alcohol, or taking medications that facilitate sleep as the danger of falling asleep and drowning could occur.

Place anti-slip mats on bathroom and tub floors to lessen the chance of falls. Install grab bars for added safety.

Avoid bathing during a lightning storm as the household plumbing can carry a deadly current. When lightning strikes a building, house or other structure, it follows metal conductors such a electrical wiring, plumbing, and telephone lines from the structure to the ground. When this process occurs, it usually leaves the inhabitants unharmed. Once lightning enters the home it can surge through the electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio/television reception systems. It can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring as well as windows and doors. It is important to avoid these conductors during an electrical storm.

Phone use is the leading cause of lightning injuries within the home. Lightning can travel long distances in both phone and electrical wiring, especially in rural areas where other conductors are limited.

WARM WATER BATHING
It is recommended that bath water always be warm, see the ‘Hot Water Burns Like Fire’ link below. However, if you are seeking relief for aches and pains, for hemorrhoids, or for some other ailment, ask your doctor about the appropriate water temperature. In general, hot water dries out the skin and saps your energy. Hot Water Burns Like Fire.

COOL WATER BATHING
Father Sebastian Kneipp (1827-1897) primarily used water therapy and herbal remedies. He also recommended a simple nourishing diet, fresh air and exercise. He believed that fresh cool water contained great healing power and wrote. ‘Water Cure’, ‘That’s How They Shall Live’, and ‘My Testament and Codicil’. Our bodies respond to a cool/cold stimulus by producing its own heat, which increases the blood supply. Many therapists value cold/cool water bathing over warm. Cold/cool water bathing is not for everybody, ask with your doctor if it would benefit you.

Father Kneipp’s Poem:  In the troubled days of yore, People didn't run to the health food store. Through the woods by rushing streams, Gathered herbs for pleasant dreams. One of these, a priest by trade, Many healing potions made. To relax the spirit and heal the heart, Take of this mixture a teaspoon part - In a cup of hot water steep, Add some honey, and before you sleep, All your troubles will unwind, And leave you harmony with mankind. Father Kneipp went miles on foot, Gathering Angelica and Valerian Root, Leaves of Peppermint, kiss of the Hops, Flowers of Chamomile - make you feel tops! Brew with love of nature's treasure, And you won't need more drastic measures. Rest will come, as sleep the while Blesses you with peaceful smile. Take this little treasure, love, As peace of branch and flight of dove.

To find your skin type:
Wash your face with a good cleanser then wait 20 minutes. If sebum (shininess) appears all over your face then you have oily skin. If sebum appears on your forehead, nose and chin area (T-zone) then you have combination skin. If your skin feels tight then you have dry skin. If nothing happens at all, then you have normal skin.

Using you finger, apply pressure to the skin on your face for a few seconds, if there is any redness then you probably have sensitive skin.

KITCHEN KEEPERS
The following common ingredients that may be in your kitchen can be added to exfoliation/mask powder
in place of water. Always perform a skin patch test when using new products. How to perform a skin patch test (link).

Cucumber (Green) - Skin Moisturizer - Wrinkle Defense (Normal/Dry Skin and Sensitive)
Cut and mash a cucumber (or use a blender, food processor), strain the pulp, then mix with our exfoliant/mask powders for extra moisturizing effects. It is reported that the juice from a 1/4 cucumber makes an excellent eye bath for tired eyes. Cucumber slices can also be placed on the eyes to soothe them.

Egg (Yolk) or Mayonnaise - Emulsifier, Moisturizer (Normal/Dry Skin, except Allergic)
Egg yolk used with our exfoliant/mask powders will act as a moisturizing agent and emulsifier.

Egg - White (Combination/Oily Skin, except Allergic)
Egg white should be substituted for oily/problematic skin. Helps to tighten pours, firm and refresh. Use once per week only.

Grapes - Exfoliator - (Most skin types, including Sensitive)
Grapes are said to help peel dead skin cells from face. Mash fresh grapes (remove skin if desired) or process in a juicer.

Honey - Emulsifier, Skin Moisture-retainer (Most skin types, except Sensitive/Allergic)
Honey is acid in reaction which can be an unfavourable medium for bacteria and acts as an emulsifier. It is also said to help retain moisture in the skin. Add a little to SediMint’s refresher mouthwash/sore throat gargle for more flavour or to a moisturizing mask for extra skin softening.

Milk, Yogurt - Emulsifier, Skin Softener and Exfoliant, Wrinkle Defense
(All skin types, including Sensitive, except Allergic)
Add a cup or two of vitamin-rich whole milk (dry/normal/sensitive skin) or skim milk (combination/oily skin) to your bath water  or to an exfoliation/mask powder as the lactic acid present in milk is said to help loosen dead cells. For dry chapped hands, soak the hands in a bowl of warm milk (add egg yolk for extra softening effects) for 5 minutes each night for dry chapped hands, discard after use. Skimmed milk is said to help remove make-up. Yogurt is reported to be a good sunburn remedy.

Oil, Carrier - (Coconut, Jojoba, Olive, Sesame, Sunflower and Sweet Almond), Wrinkle Defense)
Coconut oil has moisturizing properties and it melts at body temperature. It also reacts with salt to produce soap and is solid at room temperature. Use sparingly with our salt mixture bath teas to produce a ‘soapy feel’ to your bath water. Normal/Dry skin.

Jojoba is actually a liquid wax with penetrates rapidly into the skin. It has vitamins and minerals to nourish the skin. It is said that it controls oily skin and scalp which may help with acne. Combination/Oily and Sensitive skin.

Extra virgin olive oil (100% pure) is very moisturizing. Mix a little olive oil with our exfoliation/mask powders  for extra skin softening. Normal/Dry skin.

Sesame oil is reported good for all skin types, but benefits dry skin most with its softening and moistening effects.  It is also said to relieve itching and a has natural 30% UV block.  All skin types, but especially good for Normal/Dry skin.

Sunflower oil is a light oil and benefits dry skin because it is easily absorbed into the skin. Normal/Dry skin.

Sweet almond oil is a very popular carrier oil as it is rich in fatty acids and contains vitamins that are good for the skin. It is said to relieve itching and dryness. All skin types, including Sensitive.

Strawberry - Skin Softener, Wrinkle Defense (All skin types, including Sensitive, except Allergic)
Freshly mashed and strained strawberries contains ascorbic acid. It is also reported that fresh strawberry rubbed on the teeth helps to remove stains.

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