Spiritual Baths For Healing
Spiritual baths play a large part in Yoruba herbology. It is as important to Yoruba Herbalism and its cleansing practices as Panchakarma is to Ayurveda. The value of the bath is that it cleanses the body through the largest organ as your body seeks to get rid of the impurities from within, as well as protects the body and spirit from negative influences that can lodge into the ashe (nature of the body) essence. In this sense, it is used to cleanse oneself of physical impurities, which can hide in our natural, healthy selves. The spiritual bath actually involves a series of steps tailored by your herbalist for specific conditions given over the course of one day to three weeks. As with other aspects of Yoruba medicine, the spiritual bath has been shrouded in much mystery. So I explain it here for home applications.
Spiritual baths require the following three stages:
Stage 1
Firstly, the correct herbs must be selected, and Yoruba priests base most herbal formulas upon divination. This is achieved by matching the presiding Orisha/Chakra with the corresponding herbs to be used and prepared. Herbs prescribed for spiritual baths are used for various specific illnesses; in general, the herbs can be used to protect the body of negative energy. You will use a combination of your H.E.R.O. herbs and essential oils from the aromatherapy list specific to the energy center you seek to heal.
During the recommended period of the spiritual bath, one should eat light meals, and eliminate sexual activities and indulgence in alcohol. During this period one should also maintain an emotional balance. Daily prayers and spiritual affirmations are said as well.
Before you prepare for a spiritual bath, set up a private area where you cannot be disturbed during the ritual.
Stage 2
To prepare for the spiritual bath ritual, you will need a white sheet to wrap yourself in, and a white cotton towel to cover your head right after the bath. The sheet should be cotton as well.
The area where you plan to hold your ritual should be cleansed with incense or resin made of myrrh and frankincense.
The tub or bathroom vessel that will hold the spiritual bath solutions should be thoroughly cleaned. This includes the entire area where you will perform the bath.
White candles should be lit in the bathroom during the bath.
To pursue the full spiritual benefits of the bath, you should sit quietly in a meditative state, or repeat meditative sounds such as sound mantras. It would also be great to refer to your Sound Therapy playlist. You may play all or just the nature sound portion.
When not in use, keep the herbal concentrates in the refrigerator in marked bottles.
Stage 3
The spiritual bath is an immersion, and should be prescribed by an herbalist. The herbal solution should be diluted with water (a 12:1 or 8:1 ratio). For example, mix 12 parts of water to 1 part herbal solution. The water should be cool or tepid. Never use hot water. Shake the herbal solution well before pouring it into the tub or sink basin. For best results, pour in the herbal solution first, and then add the water.
Before conducting the bath, shower or bathe, using natural Ayurvedic soaps (you may order any of these herbal items from your herbalist). Afterwards, you can either remain wet, or pat yourself dry.
You should kneel or stand reverently in the tub or sink area. One should be in a mind of complete conviction when performing the ritual. Do whatever you need to do in order to be in a tranquil state of mind.
Slowly pour the herbal solution over your body while reciting prayers aloud for peace and protection. If you are bathing, stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes while meditating the entire time. Fully submerse in the water. If you are not in a bathtub, soak you towel with the solution as many times as possible and rinse over your body while meditating.
Right after the bath, lightly pat yourself dry, wrap yourself up in the white sheet, and cover your head with the cotton towel.
Retire for study, or meditation, or just sit peacefully in a quiet part of the house. It is recommended that you perform the spiritual bath in the early morning, or at night when it is quiet. You should take a regular bath or shower, after at least four hours has passed if necessary. Pregnant or menstruating women should consult a diviner to determine if it is recommended, or advised to take spiritual baths during these times.
Preparing the Herbs
To prepare a spiritual bath, specific herbs are placed in a pot of slowly boiling water. You may choose from any of the herbs on your list, but do not exceed 3 in one Herbal solution. After boiling the herbs, strain the resultant solution with a muslin cloth or strainer. This solution is what is used for the spiritual bath. You will add this to water, following the ratio, and 15 drops of an essential oil. You may also add Black or Red (grounding) sea salt to your bathing ritual. In the most extreme cases, your diviner/healer may require a special solution to add to your bathing practices. You can arrange this with your Diviner/Healer. When the herbs are being prepared, you must say your prayers over them. This is to invoke a healing power and connection to the earth in which they come from.
