Herbal Baths: The Haitian Folk Medicine Story Behind my Routines

I have loved the water since I was a child. My mom has a picture of me at 6 months old in the ocean water on an island and I feel like I’ve been re-creating that picture ever since. Growing up, the beach was a frequent hangout for me, whether it was a beach day or an evening where I wanted to sit or walk by the water. I always want to be in, on, or near water whenever I can.

I grew up aware of Haitian bathing practices for both physical and spiritual healing. Sometimes, it was as simple as overhearing my grandmother or an aunt on the phone recommending an herbal bath with specific combination of herbs for a particular thing. At most, it was an intense conversation between aunts and cousins during a family event while discussing someone’s recent diagnosis or traumatic life event.

This was all in the background when my sensitive skin started having some issues in 2018. I was already doing regular epsom salt baths as someone who went to spin class every Tuesday and Thursday and lifted 2-3 times a week. So when the issues startetd happening, it was only natural that I started looking into skin herbs that I could bathe in. Thus, my love for herbal baths was born. It started with bath salts made with plants for irritated and sensitive skin like chamomile (Matricaria chamamilla) and calendula (Calendula officianalis) are my favorite. Calendula is more well known for its skin healing properties than chamomile. Chamomile is extremely calming and soothing to the skin through its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti fungal properties. Bathing in chamomile tea can help ease pain, aches, itchiness, and swellings on the skin.

My two staple bath salt recipes

Then, I moved on to herbal bath teas, known as ‘bains’ in Haitian folk medicine. These baths serve both medicinal and spiritual purposes. Sometimes, I need a bath after an intense week of working out. Other times, I feel like I need a spiritual reset by soak in a herbal bath full of plants known to cleanse energy and provide protection.

Lemongrass lemon balm bath tea with bit of lavender, rose, and tulsi

Herbal baths serve a purpose year round but they are especially helpful during the cold seasons. They can do wonders for immune support, skin hydration, and uplifting the mood, all things that are sorely needed during the Winter months. As someone who is used to subtropical and tropical environments, I leaned on these heavy when I moved to help me deal with prolonged cold weather for the first time. It was a real shock to my system! But my baths really pulled me through by providing emotional support, hydration, and much needed warmth for my entire body.

Between the way I grew up and my personal experiences, herbal baths have become central to my physical and spiritual wellness routines. Whether its lemon balm calendula baths during the summer or rose baths during the winter, I will always reach for an herbal bath!

With love,

Rebecca

Calendula rose lemon balm bath salts

Rose bath tea and rose water

Bottled lemongrass lemon balm bath tea