Do you have a cold? I'll show you how you can make your own cold bath using fragrances and ingredients you have at home. Herbs, salts, essential oils and co. are the perfect home remedy for colds and hoarseness!
Your nose is dripping, your throat hurts from sneezing, your lungs hurt when you cough and your eyes have looked better in the past. Colds are annoying!
Every year they come back to haunt us. But this time it's clear to you: you want to get rid of the cold as quickly as possible. get rid of and ideally even intercept, before it can really break out. 🤧🙅♀️
In both cases, I can think of a really great solution that my grandmother already used: A soothing Make your own cold bath!
With the right additives such as herbs, essential oils, the warmth of the water and the wonderful steam, you can support your immune system.
Because a Cold can drag on for quite a long time if you don't intervene. But it doesn't have to be medication! With the right bath products, you'll be back on your feet in no time. 😊
Table of contents
What can you put in the bath water if you have a cold?
If you have a cold or feel that something is developing, homemade bath additives can work wonders against colds.
There are two ways to add fragrance to the bath. Either you use essential oils or you brew a very intense tea (herbal extract).
Essential oils for colds:
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Camphor
- Lavender
- Spruce needle
- Pine needle
- Thyme
- Sage
- Thyme
- Myrtle
What do all these oils have in common? They smell wonderful and clear the airways. This not only loosens the mucus in the nose, but also deep-seated mucus in the bronchial tubes. They ensure that the mucous membranes are better supplied with blood and the multiplication of viruses is stopped.
For very severe coughs
- Mountain pine,
- Spruce and
- Grapefruit oil
can be used. They relax the bronchial tubes and have an antispasmodic effect.
Gentler than essential oils are homemade cold bathswhich are made from herbal extracts with dried or fresh plant parts. They are particularly popular for this purpose:
- Fennel
- Thyme
- Peppermint
- Anise
Good to know: You don't necessarily have to drink liters of cold tea. You can also add ingredients to your bath water. Our body also absorbs the active ingredients through the skin! If you don't have a bathtub, make a foot bath!
Book tip for DIY fans
This book is my personal reference book when I'm ill. It contains over 800 home remedies for all kinds of ailments. From sore throats and sleeping problems to colds and high blood pressure.
You'll find lots of step-by-step instructions with photos.
When I started looking into the subject, I stumbled across this book. It has lots of great instructions for beginners and advanced users. I can highly recommend it to you and regularly prepare home remedies from it myself.
Finally debunked! The best home remedies for colds!
How long bathing with a cold?
A really good cold bath should 15 minutes last. The Water temperature should be between 35 and 40° Celsius lie down. During this time, the active ingredients of the cold supplements can be absorbed by the body. Make sure that the water not too hot because it is very strenuous for the body.
Only stay in the water until the typical shivering that often occurs with colds stops. As soon as you are nice and warm, slowly get out of the bath, dry off, dress warmly and then get under the Ceiling. Treat yourself a lot of rest. 😴
Drink a glass of water to stay hydrated. Even if it doesn't seem like it: taking a bath can be very exhausting for the body!
Even a short relaxing bath is a great and inexpensive way to relax. Home remedies for colds. It gets you back on your feet quickly and gives you strength.
DIY ginger shot: The cold killer for colds!
The best instructions to make a cold bath yourself
I would now like to introduce you to a total of 5 instructions for making your own cold bath. These are mostly a mixture of herbal extracts and essential oils.
AttentionSome people react to certain oils with Allergies. You are struggling with itching or even notice that your cold is getting worse. If this is the case for you, stop bathing immediately!
You probably already have a lot of ingredients at home that will speed up your recovery. So if you've had enough of sneezing and coughing, let's make your own cold bath!
Fennel and peppermint cold supplement
Fennel is a true miracle healer. Both fresh and as a tea, the tuber has antibacterial, expectorant and soothing effects.
Just what you need right now. The mint also has an antiviral effect.
And aniseed has long been used as a household remedy for phlegm, coughs and respiratory problems. Sounds good and smells good 😊
Ingredients:
- 1 liter water
- 3 bags of peppermint tea
- 3 bags of fennel tea
- 1 tsp anise seed
Also: saucepan with lid.
Preparation:
- Bring the water to the boil
- Hang the tea bags in the teapot
- Add aniseed
- Important: Cover the pan with a lid and remove it from the hob
- The brew must now infuse for 10 minutes
- Let the bath water in
- Pour the bath additive through a sieve into the bath water to filter out the aniseed
Soak in the water for about 15 minutes. Breathe deeply into your lungs and stomach so that the vapors can loosen the mucus.
Eucalyptus and spruce against colds
My personal favorite! You're sure to recognize the scent of this homemade cold bath from store-bought products.
Most of them are equipped with Eucalyptus and Spruce oil prepared. This is a very simple and effective way to make your own cold bath.
Big plus point: cream gives you velvety, soft skin.
Mint has an antibacterial effect and fights viruses. The Eucalyptus oil* not only smells wonderful, but also has an antiseptic effect - it clears the airways and helps you breathe deeply.
Spruce oil is used especially as Home remedies for coughs used.
Ingredients:
- 1 liter water
- 2 bags of peppermint tea
- 250 ml cream
- 5 drops Eucalyptus oil*
- 5 drops of spruce oil
Also: a saucepan with lid, bowl, whisk.
Preparation:
- Bring the water to the boil
- Hang the tea bags in the hot water
- Cover the pot with a lid to prevent the tea's essential oils from evaporating!
- Pour the bath water into the tub and pour in the tea
- Mix the cream with the essential oils in a bowl, the best way to do this is with a whisk. But don't whisk too hard, otherwise you will get firm cream 😁
- Pour the peppermint tea into the bath. Then mix the cream with oil
Thyme, ginger and mountain pine against coughs
I use the following for this cold supplement Coconut oil*. You can also use olive oil, Almond oil* or Jojoba oil* use. The oil serves as an emulsifier and ensures that the essential oil combines better with the water.
The carrier oils all have an antibacterial and antiviral effect and moisturize the skin. Mixed with the essential oils, it smells incredibly good!
Use 2 tablespoons of this additive per full bath. Store the rest in the fridge.
Ingredients:
- 250 ml Coconut oil*
- 5 ml thyme oil
- 5 ml Eucalyptus oil*
- 5 ml mountain pine oil
- 5 ml ginger oil
Also: bowl for the microwave, jar with lid.
Preparation:
- Heat the Coconut oil* in the microwave. I put it in a soup plate for this.
- In the meantime, weigh the ingredients. If you don't have a scale, use a teaspoon (5 ml = 1 teaspoon)
- Stir the essential oils into the liquid Coconut oil*. Mix them well together
- Add 4 tablespoons of the liquid bath additive to the water. When the oil is solid later, take 2 heaped tablespoons of it
Salt and cinnamon against cold
At the beginning of a cold can Cinnamon* and vanilla help well. The water not only warms you up on the outside, but also later on the inside. The two incredibly good fragrances help you get back on your feet quickly.
Salt is a well-known household remedy for colds. It soothes irritated mucous membranes and relieves inflammation. Salt relaxes muscles and relieves muscle pain. Refined with essential fragrances, it becomes a health booster.
Peppermint oil* and Eucalyptus oil* soothe coughs and calm breathing.
You can find more bath additives with salt here: "Make your own bath salts"
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Dead Sea Bath Salts*
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon*
- 1 TSP Almond oil*
- 5 drops Eucalyptus oil*
- 5 drops Peppermint oil*
- Optional: 1 vanilla pod
Also: bowl for stirring.
Preparation:
- Put the bath salts in a bowl
- Scramble Cinnamon* and Almond oil* under
- Mix eucalyptus oil and Peppermint oil* under the salt
- Finally, scrape out the vanilla pod and add it to the mixture.
I don't use a fresh vanilla pod for this, but one that I have already scraped out for baking. The leftovers are ideal for a cold bath.
How do cold baths work?
Cold baths of all kinds help us because the active ingredients of the herbal mixtures and essential oils are dissolved in the warm steam. You absorb the active ingredients through your skin and respiratory tract.
The warm bath has a beneficial effect in several ways. The warmth and the scent relax us. The cold bath also helps against headaches and aching limbs.
You have the very best chance of fighting a cold in the Initial stage. As soon as you feel something coming on, you should make yourself a cold bath and take a look at my tips: "How to ward off a cold!“
If the cold is already advanced and you feel like a zombie, an invigorating effect of the supplement can also help.
A bath is particularly helpful against colds if the water 35 to 40° Celsius has. This is because the active ingredients can then evaporate and be absorbed particularly well.
If you reach for essential oils that have an antibacterial or antiviral effect, you will be fit again especially quickly.
In 10 minutes you have made this cold balm yourself!
The 5 best tips for your homemade cold bath
1. the time of the bath
It's best to take a cold bath before bedtime. The hot water and steam open your pores. This means that your body can't hold the heat for as long.
Yes, it is pleasantly warm in the tub. But it also puts a lot of strain on your body. That's why your bath should never last longer than 20 minutes.
2. put a hot water bottle in your bed
Since you shiver more quickly after a bath, put a hot water bottle in bed or on the sofa before going to the bathroom. It makes the mattress and the blanket cozy and warm.
3. drink enough before and after the cold bath.
Drinking plenty of fluids will help your body get rid of the cold. Flush the viruses out of your body with herbal teas and water.
After the bath, a glass of warm water with fresh lemon juice helps to get fit again quickly.
4. relaxation afterwards
After bathing, get out of the tub slowly so that you don't feel dizzy and your circulation can slowly get going again. Now you need to pay attention to rest and relaxation. Rest completely for at least half an hour after the bath.
5. attention with essential oils
They help our body to get fit faster and smell incredibly good. But if you put essential oil in the water, you must keep your head above water. The oil can irritate the mucous membranes. So it is better to use it sparingly!
Attention: Sport is so dangerous when you have a cold!
Who should not take a cold bath?
The myth that you can simply sweat away a flu-like infection (such as a severe cold) persists. In fact, the cold is often made worse by a too-hot bath or a visit to the sauna.
Those who have very clear symptoms such as severe sore throat, fever, a very strong cough or cold should better leave it alone. The additional stress from the hot water is quite exhausting for the body.
It's best to take a warm cold bath when the cold is coming on and you notice the first symptoms. Then you can catch the cold.
Furthermore, a cold bath is not recommended in these cases:
- Hypertension
- Venous disorders
- Circulatory problems
- Asthmatics (in terms of essential oils, teas are fine).
- Open wounds
- Skin diseases
- Infants
- Pregnancy (some oils can promote labor).
Tip: Have a look at our homemade bath bombs over.
FAQ - the most frequently asked questions about DIY cold baths
How many drops of essential oil in the bath?
For a bathtub with a capacity of around 150 liters, take 15 drops of essential oil. Too much will cause the skin to react with itching or a rash. It is therefore better to use a little less and add some later if necessary than to use too much right from the start.
Don't let your nose fool you. Since you have a cold, you can smell much less. The skin and mucous membranes quickly absorb the oils through the warm vapors. ☝️
Good to know: Essential oils float on the surface and must be treated with a Emulsifier so that they mix with the bath water. But more on that in a moment.
Are there any side effects?
Baths can have side effects if you are allergic to an ingredient. This is particularly dangerous with essential oils because they are very concentrated. I am not aware of any side effects with teas - however, if you are severely allergic to an ingredient, this can also lead to itching.
If you are not allergic and do not have a high temperature, then you do not need to worry.
However, if you still don't feel better after a week or if the symptoms even get worse, then have yourself checked by a doctor.
Can I make a cold bath for my child myself?
You have to be very careful with children up to the age of 7 when it comes to essential oils. Their skin is very sensitive and can react allergically.
I have an alternative recipe here that children also tolerate well:
- 1 liter water
- 3 bags of chamomile tea
- 3 bags of peppermint tea
- 1 cup Dead Sea Bath Salts*
Boil water in a saucepan. Hang the tea bags in the water and leave to infuse with the lid closed. After 10 minutes, pour the mixture into the bath water and stir in the bath salts.
What else can I do besides a full bath to get fit again quickly?
A bathtub filled with hot water and a few drops of homemade mixtures for a cold bath can work wonders. But not every oil helps with colds, the Effect of the oils you can read here.
Especially when your nose is running, you sneeze and sniffle, a full bath can provide relief. Before you throw yourself back into life with your usual vigor, the cold must subside. It is best to refrain from sports and exertion for a while. Relaxation helps the body to fight the pathogens.
There are many ways to get rid of colds. Internal and external treatments. In the pharmacy there are many powders, tablets, pastilles and more.
Particularly effective and relaxing is a warm bath. It says bye bye not only to the shivering, but also to the chill.
Also a Homemade cough syrup made from herbs and honey will help your body to get back on its feet more quickly.
Our conclusion
As you can see, making your own cold bath is not complicated. Especially the variants with tea are ready in no time. The recipe with Coconut oil* you can give to a dear friend who is fighting a cold and cough :)
Good luck and get well soon!
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