The History Of The Bath

There is nothing nicer than pampering yourself and relaxing in a lovely bath, infused with Aromatherapy Oils; that’s my preference anyway!

Since ancient times, people have transformed the practice of bathing themselves into a wonderfully relaxing experience. In today’s rushed world, whilst taking a long, luxurious bath has never been more necessary, it has also been proven to possess the power to heal.

The Turkish steam bath is where many modern bathing rituals originated. The Hammam is probably the oldest surviving bath tradition in the world.  

When the Ottomans took Constantinople (now Istanbul) from the Romans, they brought with them their own bathing traditions. The Turkish Ottomans soon encountered the Roman bath habits and merged these with their own.  

The Romans believed in a single, massive, bath complex where thousands of people could visit for their daily bathing routines and catch up on the latest gossip and share information. 

The Ottomans however considered bathing to be a purification ritual completed before prayer. Instead of one big Roman bath, they preferred smaller bath houses scattered around the city. 

Many modern day Hammams can be found next to the mosque.  the Hammam was originally a place that only men visited. Steadily, this changed and sick women or those who had given birth were permitted to attend, as long as there were no men present. Gradually, all women could bathe there. 

On a social level, many women considered it their daily escape from isolation in the home, where more often than not they were alone. The Hammam later became accessible for all and an important social centre. It grew into much more than a place where you could cleanse your body, it was, and still is, a retreat for bodily and spiritual cleansing, as well as a place to socialise.

Benefits Of A Bath

1. 

A 2002 study from the University of Wolverhampton proved that a bath at end of the day has an indisputable effect on psychological well-being. The combination of lying down surrounded by water mimics the feeling of being in the womb and feeling secure.

2. 

Doctors often prescribe baths in combination with medicine for people struggling with disorders like eczema. For otherwise healthy skin, soaking in a bath helps to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores or even cause potential infections. I love a soak in Epsom salts too!

3. 

When we’re submerged in warm water, our heart has to work a bit harder and more efficiently, therefore HOT baths are not advisable. This therefore stimulates blood flow, which is always good for our bodies. 

4. 

A  reason most of us feel so relieved after emerging from a nice, long bath is because it naturally lowers our cortisol levels. Cortisol is the so-called “stress hormone,” so when there’s less in our system, we feel more at ease.

My Favourite oils in my bath are:

 Aromatherapy Associates https://www.aromatherapyassociates.com/bath-body/collections/relax.html

Beatitude https://www.beatitudeproducts.co.uk/products/aromatherapy-bath-oils/peace-bath-oil-100ml/ 

Neom Organics https://www.neomorganics.com/real-luxury-bath-shower-oil.html