How to Make an Air Bath

Pure Air Offers Many Cures

An air bath will purify your skin and help purge the common cold from your body. Benjamin Franklin was famous for taking an air bath every morning. He exposed his skin to fresh air, opening the skin’s pores first with a warm bath. A modern version of the air bath allows us to get the same benefits without having to expose the unclothed body to the open fresh air. The modern air bath opens your pores quicker and increases your metabolism.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• 2 cups water
• 2 oz. of castile soap, grated
• 1 oz. of liquid glycerin
• 3 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 2 drops of spearmint oil
• 2 drops of peppermint oil
• 4 drops of food coloring (optional)
• Plastic bottle with lid

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a boil and add the grated castle soap. Reduce to simmer until the soap melts. Remove from the stove and set aside.

2. Combine the glycerin and the essential oils. Stir the glycerin before adding the essential oils. Slowly add the essential oils, making sure the concentrated oils do not touch your skin.

3. Add food coloring. Food coloring will give your air bath an appealing look. The food coloring will not interfere with the benefits of an air bath, nor will the bath color your skin.

4. Pour mixture into a plastic bottle. Recycle an old soda bottle or bubble bath bottle to contain your fresh air bath. Choose a bottle that will hold at least 12 oz., unless you want to put the mixture into several bottles. If you choose to pour the air bath mixture into several smaller bottles, shake the mixture before pouring.

5. Add a few capfuls of your air bath mixture into your bath water. Add the air bath mixture under running water to bring out the beneficial properties. If you have a nervous disorder or other chronic sensitivities, soak no more than 3 minutes for the first few baths. Do not allow the bath to cool--add more hot water to the bath as it cools.

6. Wrap your body in a towel or remain unclothed. For chronic illnesses or the common cold, wrap yourself in a towel; otherwise, remain unclothed for an hour, if possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Drugstores do not always carry some of the ingredients. Visit your local health food store or buy your ingredients online.

• An air bath reduces muscle fatigue, making it beneficial soak after work or exercise.

• Do not get concentrated essential oils on your skin. Concentrated oils may burn your skin or you may develop a rash.

• Do not expose your unclothed body to the outdoors where it may be inappropriate or disregard local laws.