These days, many of us are moving through life at a constant pace—juggling responsibilities, planning meals, making healthy choices, commuting, and caring for others. It’s no wonder our bodies and minds crave a moment of true rest. One of my all-time favourite ways to unwind is beautifully simple: “Tub Tea.” This is the art of transforming your bath water into a soothing herbal infusion—much like making tea, but for your whole body.
Tub Tea: A Simple Herbal Bath for Relaxation + Wellness
And the best part? It’s easy, nourishing, and deeply restorative.
Even better, these herbal bath blends are simple to prepare at home and make thoughtful, natural gifts for friends and loved ones.
Benefits of Herbal Bathing
Herbal baths (or “tub tea”) offer gentle, whole-body support. They can:
- Calm the nervous system and ease tension
- Encourage deep, restful sleep
- Support healthy digestion
- Moisturize and soften the skin
- Relax tired, overworked muscles
- Stimulate circulation and blood flow
Sedative Herbal Bathing (Perfect for Sleep Support)
After a long day, a calming bath can become a deeply supportive evening ritual.
This sedative herbal bath blend is designed to help ease tension, quiet the mind, and prepare the body for restful sleep.
You can choose one herb or create your own blend using the soothing plant allies below:
Gentle and skin-loving, calendula helps soothe irritation while supporting overall relaxation.
A classic calming herb, chamomile helps settle the nervous system and is especially helpful before sleep.
Deeply sedative and relaxing, hops are traditionally used to support sleep and calm an overactive mind.
Well known for its calming aroma, lavender helps reduce stress, ease tension, and promote deep rest.
Lightly uplifting yet calming, lemon balm helps reduce anxiety and soften emotional tension.
A powerful nervine, passionflower is often used to quiet racing thoughts and support deeper sleep.
Cooling, comforting, and heart-opening, roses bring a gentle sense of calm and emotional ease.
Sage
Grounding and gently cleansing, sage can help relax the body while offering a subtle, clarifying quality.
Add chamomile to any above to assist with achy muscles.
To assist calming of sore joints (as in cases of arthritis), add bay leaves or lavender flowers or sage leaves.
ENERGIZING HERBAL BATHING: ~ Can aid digestion + improve circulation
as well as Grapefruit, Orange and Lime peels
Peppermint, Spearmint
Rosemary
Using a dry brush technique before an energizing bath can help to invigorate the skin and increase circulation. There are many styles of 'dry brush'. Pick one that suits you.
Ok here we go… Do like TUB TEA? It's tea for your tub….
How to Make a Tub Tea (Beginner-Friendly)
Making a tub tea is wonderfully simple—think of it as brewing a strong herbal tea for your bath.
Guideline only ok? We are NOT baking here!
You will need:
- ½–1 cup dried herbs (or a combination of your favourites)
- A large jar, bowl, or teapot
- Boiling water
- A strainer, cloth bag, or “tea sock” (optional but helpful)
Method:
- Place your herbs into a pot or a jar or a bowl.
- Pour just boilied water over the herbs (about 4–6 cups).
- Cover and let steep for 15–30 minutes to create a strong infusion.
- Strain the liquid into your warm bath water (You can place herbs in a cloth bag and also add directly in the tub along with the tea).
- Soak, breathe deeply, and relax for at least 20 minutes.
✨ Tip: Keep the bathroom warm and dim the lights to turn your bath into a calming ritual.
A relaxed mind can be a great pain reliever.
For added relief, sip chamomile (often under-estimated) or a nice relaxing tea blend.
Note: willow bark or oak bark tea is 'pain relief specific' and can be helpful before and during the bath.
For another option: Put the ingredients into a fill-able tea bag,
like this one : ^ Finum Disposable Extra Small Size Tea Bag Filters, 100-Pack, White
and either proceed as above or steep the herbs right your very warm bath!
^ this link is an 'affiliate link' with Amazon to show you what kind of tea bag filter I use for this tea, sometimes.(see below for affiliate disclosure info)
These same sorts of tea bag filters can sometimes be found at health food stores or tea shops.
Here's my favourite:
Carol's Favourite Tub Tea
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon rose petals
- 2 tablespoon chamomile flowers
- 2 tablespoon calendula flowers
- 2 tablespoon lavender flowers
Instructions
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Put all the herbs into a bowl and mix well
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Use a cotton muslin tea bag or just about any kind of tightly woven cloth.
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Often these muslin bags come with a 'tie' to close the bag and secure the herbs.
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Use a ribbon, string or elastic band if using a cheesecloth or other fabric to make a sachet.
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To use the bath tea bag, affix the sachet of herbs under the tub spout so the water will pour through the bag as your bath fills up.
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Alternatively, toss the sachet of herbs into the tub.
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Squeeze the bath bag several times while bathing to release the fragrance and healing elements
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Breathe in the scent and watch the water change color.
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Remove the bath tea bag when you are finished with your bath
Recipe Notes
Herbal bath tea bags can be used 3 times within about 4 days.
You can use the same sachet for 3 days in a row but then to avoid 'spoilage', it's best to rinse the pouch out.
You can re-use these wee sachet bags. Just wash the material with non-toxic soap and it's ready to go again.
Additional options include adding powdered milk or 2-3 tablespoons of olive* or sesame oil plus 3-5 drops of your favourite essential oil. I like lavender or ethically wild-crafted sandalwood, rosewood, and sometimes rose geranium.
*olive and sesame are my favourites but good quality nut oils or vegetable oil.
Dry skin? Try making an easy 'oatmeal sachet'.
Put a cup of oatmeal into a square of cheesecloth. Take this into your 'spa' with you.
Gently rub elbows and knees etc
Here's another idea:
Put some ZING into cold weather with Citrus Bath Salts
Stir ingredients together.
Slowly add in about 20 drops of essential oil, slowly & stir until mixed thoroughly.
Let your bath salts sit for a day or two to get infused with essential oils.
Here's to feeling well + allowing a little self-care in our day
~~~ maybe a new ritual waiting to be discovered !
Carol xo
Shelby @Fitasamamabear
Herbal baths can be sooo relaxing! They also help immensely postpartum to speed up the healing process.
Carol Little
Agreed! Thanks for that great reminder!
Nadia
I SO need one of these this week! Thank you so much - I've got a whole lot of calendula and can't wait to try!
Melissa @Real Nutritious Living
This sounds amazing! I never would have thought to add hops!
Tanya
My 4 yr old granddaughter always gets an herb bath at my home. And has rarely ever gotten sick, I think she has had a mild cold twice in her life. She loves them! My tub not so much. The stains are a real pain to get rid of. But well worth it.
I just wish my aching body could handle the tub for even 10 minutes. But since I can't I utilize a basin for occasional foot baths.
carollittle
Thanks for sharing Tanya! Maybe try herbs that don't stain.. or add some baking soda?
Foot baths can be very healing too! Hope you feel better soon.
linda spiker
This sounds so luxurious!
carollittle
And yet, Linda, it's so easy to make/do.. Hey.. there's a healthy habit!!
Thanks for stopping by!