Sweet & Bitter Baths
Indigenous cultures have always known of the wisdoms of Mother Nature and all of her plants. If we were to just take one plant ally and study her there is so much to learn that a lifetime would not suffice. Each plant has so much to offer and yet somehow humans have been drifting faster and faster from the roots of our mother. 🌝
In our healing work we place strong emphasis on the rituals of sweet/bitter plant baths or steam showers. This a powerful ritual passed down by our ancestors to cleanse the energy body and to bring balance. In our lives many of us on a spiritual path have done fasts, diets, purgatives or take different herbal medicines which support the cleansing of the physical body. But how often do we thinking about cleansing our energy body. 🦅
Our energy body also can become blocked which can create stagnation in the flow of energy through its channels. This in turn can lead to physical illnesses or emotional turmoil. Theses different ‘bodies’ are all interlinked and if one is out of balance the others follow. There are many ways to clean up the energy body such as yoga, breath work, chi gong, plant ceremonies and one of our favorites plant baths. 🌱
I find that practices with plants somehow offer healing in a unique way that can be hard to access otherwise. The truth is that plants hold a naturally high frequency which is untainted. This frequency can surpass lower frequency energies and reach deeper parts of our being. Whenever I use the plants baths there is a feeling of a sort of recollection of energies that have become dispersed. 🌊
It feels like mini soul retrievals happening. Like all of the different parts of my being who feel unloved, scared, anxious or somehow not safe are being lovingly recollected by the plants and with warm embrace told they are OK. It’s safe to come home now my children. 🐣
In our retreats we offer these plant baths as a way for us to come home to our heart and to feel this space of being held again.
Making a Sweet Bath Ritual at Home
Making and using sweet bath as part of our daily practice is very important.
Taita Juanito shares with us that with the Yage we are taking out a lot of bitterness and in its place the sweet bath is a way to call on the spirits of the plants and nature to bring sweetness into those places. In this way we are using “plant technology”.
Ingredients
Basil*: This is the most important ingredient. Holy basil is best, but if you can’t find holy basil then regular basil works well too.
Other sweet herbs*: this is where you can be creative and add sweet herbs like lemongrass, rosemary, lavender and mint.
*These herbs are preferably organic, however, if it is difficult to find organic, do your best, and always place your prayers and intentions into your blend.
Fresh herbs are best, but you can also use dried herbs in a pinch.
Instructions
Begin by making a tea. Boil a big pot of water. Add the basil and other sweet herbs and simmer for about half an hour.
Let the tea cool slightly, and then you can add some of your favorite essential oils if you wish too. You don’t want to add the oils when the tea is too hot because the scents will evaporate.
Offer your gratitude and prayers to your sacred blend.
2. Strain the Sweet Bath, and pour it into a large, clearly marked container (not for consumption) and place it into the fridge. If the aroma is not sweet, DO NOT USE IT. It will last for about 7-10 days.
You may also offer the plants that have been strained out to the earth.
3. Once a day, take a cup into the shower and, after your shower you can towel dry and then, gently pour the sweet bath over your head or cup your hand and place it all over the body. Bathe yourself with it. Bless yourself with it.
DO NOT RINSE IT OFF. Allow the Sweet Bath to soak into the skin and air dry. Take a Spiritual Sweet Bath for at least 10 consecutive days after ceremonies, but it is also nice to make this a part of your daily practice.
Enjoy!