Erkältungsbad nehmen – Welcher Badezusatz hilft bei Erkältungen?

Natural bath supplements for the cold and flu season

When is a cold bath helpful and which bath additives really help?

Your nose is tingling, your feet are cold, your throat is scratchy and your whole body is shivering - a cold is coming on! Nobody is keen on getting sick and so a cold bath is just the thing in such a situation. Active ingredients from nature have been used to treat illnesses for thousands of years. This is exactly what a cold bath does. The mixture of essential oils and medicinal plants form the formula for a circulation-stimulating, soothing and pleasant effect. The stress, runny nose and irritating throat disappear and the cold cannot even break out. Today we are looking at the right bath additives for such a cold bath. Which bath additives help with colds and which medicinal plants are responsible for them? - All this and much more is now available!

 

The cold bath has a soothing and relaxing effect!

A cold bath is a real miracle weapon when a cold starts to spread. The bath additives for a cold bath dissolve completely in the warm water. The great aromas and essential oils are then absorbed through the mucous membranes, making the body sweat and effectively fighting bacteria and viruses. In summary, a cold bath has the following effect on the body:

  • Blood circulation to the muscles and skin is improved
  • The circulation gets going and the muscles relax
  • Already accumulated mucus can be easily coughed up
  • Pain in the limbs that occurs with a flu infection subsides
  • Due to the high heat, the body temperature rises slightly and thus creates an artificial fever and ultimately a beneficial effect afterwards

The prerequisite for these effects is, of course, the right choice of bath additive and its application.

 

When is a cold bath useful and when is it not?

A cold bath with the right bath additive is especially recommended when a cold is about to come. As already described at the beginning, this can be seen in a runny nose, shivering, a scratchy throat, a tingling nose and cold feet. If a cold or flu has already broken out, a cold bath should not be used! This also applies if a high fever is already present or is also present. In such a situation, a cold bath has a very stressful effect on the body and dizziness can often occur. The same applies to vein problems and asthma.

 

Should the cold bath be taken as a full or three-quarter bath?

This question depends on the size of the bathtub. If the tub is big enough for a full bath, a cold bath is the ideal choice. Most bathtubs, however, are only big enough for a three-quarter bath. The arms, knees and shoulders remain out of the water. Since a three-quarter bath puts less strain on the circulatory system, it is more suitable for people with heart and circulatory problems.

 

What temperature and duration should a cold bath have?

The temperature for a cold bath is generally between 32 and 39°C. If you don't want to go to the trouble of measuring the water with a thermometer, you can of course go with how you feel. In general, the cold bath should be as hot as is comfortable. However, lukewarm water should be avoided, as this will not have the desired effect. People with circulatory or heart problems should start with a lower temperature and gradually add hot water. A cold bath should last around 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, the body can warm up sufficiently and the effect can take hold. However, if the cold bath becomes strenuous and unpleasant, you should stop bathing immediately.

 

Bath additives for a cold bath – which ingredients really help?

For an effective cold bath, the use of an effective bath additive is a prerequisite. Which medicinal herbs and plants should be used depends on the individual decision. The following natural ingredients are particularly effective and helpful. When buying a bath additive for a cold bath, you should therefore make sure that it contains one or more of the following:

The nettle

Nettles are an excellent bath additive for a cold bath! They are rich in flavonoids and have a diuretic effect. Used in a cold bath, they make the body sweat and provide a pleasant warmth.

 

The Thyme

The most well-known ingredient in bath additives for cold baths is thyme. Its effect is particularly evident for persistent colds and coughs. Coughs and colds are much easier after a cold bath with thyme. The thymol contained in thyme also has a very relaxing effect on the bronchi.

 

The Eucalyptus

A particularly good choice is a cold bath with a bath additive that contains eucalyptus! The effect of this medicinal plant is that it loosens mucus and thus makes coughing and sniffling easier. Furthermore, eucalyptus oil can also be absorbed through the mucous membranes. It then also has an antispasmodic and stress-reducing effect. Eucalyptus is also very effective in preventing bacteria from growing and spreading.

 

The Camphor

A bath additive for a cold bath that contains camphor has a very positive effect on the respiratory tract. It is a real miracle weapon, especially for very stubborn secretions! Another very positive effect of camphor is its effect on weak circulation and blood pressure.

 

The Pine

A bath additive for a cold bath that contains pine is particularly rich in essential oils. It also has a very characteristic scent and thus provides a pleasant spiciness during the bath.

 

What should be done immediately after a cold bath?

After a pleasant, soothing cold bath, the blood vessels are dilated. This lowers blood pressure and could also weaken circulation. You should therefore leave the bath slowly. It is therefore highly recommended that you stand securely and hold on to a handle. After drying off, you should apply cream to your skin. The warm water in a cold bath can lead to dry, itchy or tight skin. Applying a moisturizing lotion prevents this. Once you have completed this step, you should wrap yourself up as warmly as possible on the couch or in bed so that your body can regenerate.

 

Can pregnant women also take a cold bath?

Pregnant women who are also about to catch a cold have a special problem. They are only allowed to take certain medications and if they do, they should only take them to a limited extent. You should also avoid essential oils! Since almost every cold bath contains essential oils, it is not recommended to take one during pregnancy. The risk of putting too much strain on the circulatory system and thus inducing contractions is too great. Premature contractions can be harmful for both the mother and the baby, so extreme caution is required!

Bathing itself is not strictly forbidden during a healthy pregnancy. It should not be a cold bath, but a bubble bath with a warm cup of tea with honey is more appropriate. This will also help to ease the cough and also help you to relax.

 

Is a cold bath also possible with varicose veins?

As we already know, a cold bath is suitable for all healthy people, but not for pregnant women. People with varicose veins do not need to pay any attention to anything else when taking a cold bath. The essential oils have been used for some time, so they do not have any negative effects on people with varicose veins. However, it should be noted that the particularly high temperature of the water causes the blood vessels to dilate. This encourages the development of varicose veins, which is why the legs should be rinsed with cold water immediately after a cold bath. After that, however, the warm bed or couch awaits the body again so that it can regenerate.