In art and literature, imitation numbers first among the seven deadly sins for a creator. No self-respecting painter or writer would succumb to the pervasive, persistent temptation of imitation just to borrow a few images or words. In the basic business of bath essences, however, until you have sophisticated your nose to rival a bloodhound's and elevated your mixing skills to the status of art, a little healthy imitation goes a long way toward assuring just the right balance and proportion in your aromatherapy sprays, shower gels, massage oils, and shampoos. Think of yourself as an apprentice following your master's example.
If you look for essential bath oil recipes "academically," doing lots of research in the libraries and on the internet, you will find thousands of promising recipes for calming, soothing, rejuvenating, nourishing, restoring, reinventing, and generally reincarnating yourself. All of them promise great results; and while an excellent start, a book or website cannot begin to capture how those bath essences will work on your delicate sensibilities. Peppermint, for example, guarantees a refreshing, energizing daytime soak; but if you cannot stand even the idea of smelling like a candy cane all afternoon, then you have researched in vain.
Veteran do-it-yourself naturopaths strongly recommend conducting your research at the mall. You already know "Bath and Body Works" and "Sephora" stock mountains of simple fruity and floral products. In most recipes, just a couple of an essential bath oil will suffice, because just one or two notes do all the work. To discern which fragrances have which effects on you, sample a few of their products, and then pick-out yours accordingly. Similarly, visit the fragrance counters in the upscale retailers, spraying perfumes and colognes on the cards they provide, and then testing your favorites against your own body chemistry. When you find a mix you like, study the bottle or box, deconstructing the list of ingredients. Isolate the essential oils on the list, and take the list with you when you shop for bath essences. Your nose has assured you like the mix; your aromatherapy retailer can supply products and expertise to make your favorite at home.
Fragrance Follows Function
Mixing your own essences for aromatherapeutic baths, match your mixes to your needs. Use one carefully proportioned and measured mix of bath essences for relaxing and calming; change-up the essential bath oil mix just a little to relieve nervousness. If you suffer with insomnia or restlessness, bath just before bedtime, and mix your bath essences to lull you gently into deep sleep and very sweet dreams. Use an energizing mix of bath essences in your morning shower gel and shampoo, so that you jump start your body and brain for your busy day. And, finally, during summertime flip-flop and strappy sandal season, pay extra loving attention to tired, sore feet, keeping them healthy and beautiful. Mix bath essences that will soften and wash away even your toughest calluses as they relax aching muscles from your toes through your arches and all the way up your calves and thighs.
Most popular bath recipes combine just three or four essential oils-usually one top note, one middle, and one base. The very simplest calming and soothing bath requires just one liberal dose of lavender or chamomile bath essence. A slightly more potent calming formula requires just equal measures of lavender, bergamot, and cedarwood. An empowering soak, appropriate for the transition from a long day's professionalism into a long evening's "working the room," requires only equal proportions of rosemary, lemon, and frankincense; what, after all, communicates power and competence more than the faintest hint of a little frankincense? Plagued by insomnia, mix your bath essences for maximum relaxation: measure equal proportions of chamomile, marjoram, neroli, and lavender into your before-bed soak.
