Since Cleopatra added rose petals to her bath and Ancient Romans scattered the waters of their spas with herbs, people have been using plants and aromatherapy in their bathing experience.
Now the trend has been given a new lease of life with the rise of bath — or shower — bouquets. It is what it sounds like; bunches of herbs, flowers, and greenery are suspended so the water can flow over them, releasing health-boosting essential oils and fragrances.
"Herbs and flowers can be beneficial from a health perspective," says Catherine Nix of My Scented Home, a florist who works with fresh and dried flowers. "Some, such as lavender which aids sleep, or rosemary which can clear the mind, are readily available fresh.
"Others, such as camomile, which reduces stress, are harder to come by in anything other than dried form. So while I’d always suggest using fresh, there’s nothing wrong with adding a muslin bag with some dried herbs or flowers to the mix.
"To get the most out of your shower or bath bouquet, put it in a plastic bag and hammer it with a rolling pin before you use it," she advises. "This will help release the fragrance."
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