Sweet, hot or chilled. How do you prefer your bath? Nomita Khanna gives it to you a la carte.

BATHING is not all about cleansing. It is also about melting away stress like ice in the desert; about feeling at home with your body. For a mind-blowing soak, allow these blends of herbs, oils and spices to wash over you.

GET YOUR SALT’S WORTH: Add a cup of sea-salt or rock salt to a warm bath and soak in it for half an hour. Like seawater, salt baths invigorate and cleanse the body. In addition, they also help alleviate thrush and other vaginal yeast infections. After a hard day’s work, this bath can be just the ticket to that feel-good trip.

MILK IS GOOD: Add a cup of powdered, skimmed milk to warm bath water. A luxurious soak in it is all you need to leave your skin feeling super sexy 24/7. HERB-A-DUB: For a truly organic experience, pamper your senses with a blend of natural herbs. Choose the herb or a mixture of herbs according to their properties.

To make an infusion, steep two tablespoons of the herb in 500 ml of boiling water for 30 minutes. Then strain the liquid into your bath or, alternatively, tie the herbs in a piece of muslin and hang this bag from the tap. The hot water running from the tap will help suffuse the herbs in the bath. Don’t throw the bag away, it is good for use upto three to four times. Get your herbs in:

* Agrimony (amaranth): Infuse bathwater with a handful of amaranth leaves to relieve symptoms of rheumatism, that is besides soothing tired, aching limbs.

* Aloe vera: In its moisturising properties lie the cure for a sunburn.

* Basil (tulsi): Infused in bath water, this herb promotes relaxation and sleep.

* Bergamot: Infuse fresh leaves and stems in warm bath water to ease fatigue.

* Chamomile: An infusion of this herb cleanses skin well, leaving it soft and supple. A chamomile bath can also provide relief to dry, irritated skin or a sunburn. Add 10 drops of chamomile oil or several cups of chamomile tea to a cold bath and soak in it for half an hour or longer.

* Eucalyptus: Make use of eucalyptus oil’s antiseptic properties by adding it to your bath water. Besides, it helps reduce body odour, too.

* Fennel: Helps reduce the redness associated with facial thread veins, and can be the panacea for other skin problems.

* Lavender: An infusion of lavender lifts the spirits, alleviates stress and promotes sleep.

* Oats: Help lighten skin blemishes and improve the overall complexion.

* Rosemary: Infuse in bath water to ease a headache and to revitalise your hair.

* Sage: An infusion of sage leaves in your bath lifts off dirt and grime from the skin.

* Thyme: Is a great one at healing skin sores and preventing dandruff.

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