Beauty and the Bath It’s extravagant. Luxurious....

Beauty and the Bath It’s extravagant. Luxurious. Often therapeutic, sometimes sinfully romantic. “Most of us ignore it, but if addressed properly the bath can work wonders,” says Catherine Kanner, author of “The Book of the Bath” (Fawcett Columbine, $19.95). Tucked away in her tale of the tub is a glossary of natural herbs and teas that can “soothe the skin, help circulation, promote sleep or relieve aches.” Juniper or basil, for instance, are relaxing. Sage is stimulating. And ginger, Kanner says, promotes circulation. Used as an aphrodisiac during the Middle Ages in Europe, it was thought to turn women into enchantresses. Kanner also provides a compendium of recipes, including one for a moon bath (to relieve insomnia), a sports bath (to relax post-workout muscles) and, of course, a love bath, wherein bubbles and baby oil are replaced by rose petals and champagne. In fact, the only bath that she suggests you take sparingly is the bubble bath, because it’s “very drying to your skin.” White Chocolate Dip For anyone who loves chocolate, this will be the supreme bath experience, filling the room with the aroma of chocolate and cleansing the skin in creamy milk. Add more milk or cream as desired. From “The Book of the Bath”:

2 1/2 cups milk or cream

1 teaspoon oil of chocolate or chocolate extract

2 teaspoons almond oil

1 pinch cinnamon Combine ingredients and heat over a double boiler for five minutes. Do not boil. Add to running bathwater. Bath Basics Fragrance can do wonders for the nose and nerves, but cleansing can be confusing. Bath gels can also be used in the shower, and foaming grains can be tucked away in drawers to scent lingerie. The Squire’s Reviving Bath Bags, pungent packets of herbs by London Herb & Spice Co., are said to have “tonic properties.” Marianne’s Potpourri, made by Caswell-Massey from petals used on Rose Parade floats, can spice up a tub. And floral, fruity foaming bath seeds and oils by Crabtree & Evelyn are made for basking. From “The Book of the Bath,” 1985, Catherine Kanner.