Calendula evening bath
A golden infusion poured into a warm bath. A garden flower from the Klostergarten, a slow twenty minutes at body temperature.
Steps
Brew the infusion
Four heaped tablespoons of dried calendula flowers into one litre of just-boiled water. Cover and steep fifteen minutes, then strain.
Run the bath
Fill the tub with water at body temperature, around 37 degrees, not hot. Test with the inside of the wrist or elbow.
Pour and stir
Pour the strained infusion in a circle around the tub. The water turns a soft amber. Step in slowly.
Stay twenty minutes
Lie back so the shoulders are covered if it is comfortable. Eyes closed, breath unhurried. If the water cools, top up gently from the warm tap.
Step out and rest
Pat dry, do not rub. Put on something soft and lie down for ten minutes afterwards. Drink a glass of water.
Calendula is a long-tradition Klostergarten flower and external use is generally well tolerated. Skip the bath on broken or weeping skin, fresh surgical wounds, eczema flares, or any rash you have not had checked by a clinician. Known compositae (daisy family) allergy: avoid. A warm bath at body temperature is normally fine in pregnancy; rule out cardiovascular concerns first and ask your midwife if in doubt. Children: a shallower bath at slightly cooler water with a parent present. After a warm bath stand up slowly to avoid lightheadedness.