Anixiety: Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy can help alleviate the tension, nervousness, and other symptoms that accompany anxiety attacks. It cannot cure anxiety disorders.

Warm baths with or without herbs can help soothe anxious states of mind. Once you are relaxed, you can focus on the issues or conflicts that are causing your anxiety.

If you are anxious or irritated, the neutral bath has a balancing and soothing effect. Fill your bath tub with water slightly cooler than body temperature, around 94 degrees to 97 degrees. Submerge as much of your body as possible. Add more water to maintain temperature. Stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes.

A relaxing blend of essential oils of lavender, geranium and bergamot in sweet almond oil or peach kernel oil may be used in the bath at times of great stress and anxiety.

Hot moist compresses applied to the spine, hot foot baths, and hot water bottles placed at the feet can be beneficial in relieving anxiety.

When added to your bath, the following herbs can help you relax:

catnip leaves 
elder flowers 
German chamomile 
hop flowers 
horse chestnut bark 
jasmine flowers 
linden flowers 
skullcap leaves 
valerian root

When you are feeling fatigued from tension and anxiety, the following herbs will give you a stimulating and rejuvenating bath:

balm leaves 
basil leaves 
bay leaves 
common chamomile flowers 
fennel seeds and leaves 
lavender 
lemon peel 
lemon verbena 
marigold petals 
meadowsweet flowers 
orange leaves and flowers 
pennyroyal leaves 
peppermint leaves 
pine needles 
rosebuds 
rosemary leaves 
sage 
spearmint 
white sandalwood 
yarrow flowers