DiY Oatmeal Bath

So, the first time I took an oatmeal bath, I took a few packs of regular instant oatmeal, dumped it in the tub, and went from there. I was 15. Please don’t make the same mistake that 15 year old Megan made. For oatmeal baths to be effective you must use colloidal oatmeal (ground up, whole oats) so that the skin can absorb all the nutrients (and it wouldn’t hurt to add in some baking soda too).

What makes oatmeal baths so revolutionary anyway? Because oatmeal contains avenanthramides! These polyphenols (plant-based antioxidants that regulate enzyme function and stimulate cell receptivity) are found specifically in oats. What makes them so special is their level of antioxidant functioning.  They can be up to 30 times more active than any other phenolic compounds! And avenanthramides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-itch, anti-irritant, and anti-atherogenic properties.1 AND, what’s more, is that oats contains a specific type of starch that is resistant to the digestion process, which makes it great for baths because when introduced to liquid the starch forms a protective barrier which will bond with your skin and help lock in moisture and all the nutrients that are found in oats. What nutrients might those be, you ask? Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, and Saponins! After the avenanthramides, Vitamin E is the next big thing about oatmeal. Aside from the high level of antioxidants, Vitamin E is used to stabilize the individual cells of all organs so that they can properly absorb nutrients and help fight against lipid peroxidation (stopping free radicals from taking electrons that are being used by working cells).2  Ferulic Acid is another antioxidant that helps stabilize vitamins and protect from peroxidation. But Ferulic Acid alone is actually more powerful that vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene combined! Ferulic Acid aids in DNA repair, enhances collagen production, and has been proven to specifically protect the skin against UVB radiation.3,4 You get all of this from just soaking in a bathtub full of ground up oatmeal! And, let’s not forget about the role of Saponin (a natural, foaming soap when introduced to water) in an oatmeal bath, which serves to rid the sebaceous glands of excess sebum and removes dirt from clogged pores. So, even if you don’t suffer from psoriasis/eczema, bug bites/parasite infections, or scars and wrinkles, soaking in oatmeal works wonders for the body if you are very active, employed in hard labor, work in the sun, or suffer from acne. If all of this comes from oatmeal water, can you imagine the benefits eating oatmeal?

Oatmeal Baths are both easy and inexpensive to prepare. Here’s what you do

Shopping List:	Whole Oats (Steel Cut, Scottish, or Groats)	Optional: antibacterial essential oils of your choice (no more than 3)
	Baking Soda
	A blender (food processor, coffee bean grinder, etc)
Ingredients:	Oatmeal, 1 c	Essential Oil, 7-10 drops
	Baking Soda, ½ c
Directions:	Grind oats and baking soda until mix is a fine powder
	If using essential oils, add to powder and blend for a few pulses to evenly distribute oils
	Pour into WARM (not hot) bath water, stirring with hand to help dissolve.
	Set a timer for 20 minutes, and Enjoy soaking in your Oatmeal Bath!

1-https://www.aveenomd.com/sites/aveenomd/files/documents/Avenanthramide%20White%20Paper%201%2010.pdf

2-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK230984/

3-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780815515845500120

4-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780815515845500144