Early Man and Woman
Anthropologists have recorded that while early man had access to water, he didn't use it for bathing. In fact, smelling bad was a self defense mechanism in order to ward off predators. Naturally, when early man went into the water to fish, mud was rinsed from the body, however pre historic people only thought to cleanse their food and not themselves.
When the Greek and Roman Empires came to rise, they were horrified by the stench of those they conquered. Cleanliness, on the other hand was a huge priority for both men and women of this time. The Romans are associated with inventing the “bath house” and the Greeks introduced the use of clay, pumice and oil in these bathhouses. Every conquered and established colony was complete with a large bathhouse. The early use of “soap” was a compound form of animal fat and wood ashes that would harden and naturally cleanse clothing, hair and skin.
During Emperor Nero's time (54-68 AD), his queen Poppaea used warm water and added herbs, flowers and oils to accentuate her bath water. She also used fresh mule milk to soften her skin. Egypt's Cleopatra also coined the use of milk, aromatherapy and other softening properties like honey for her bath and came widely known as the “mother of spa treatments.”
The early Mohammedans washed regularly as an integral part of their religious rituals. Arabian markets were filled with orange flower, rose, willow and violet waters to add to their bathing vessels. People used the waters for bathing, steaming and praying.
With the rise of Christianity, bathing became associated with paganism. In fact, the early Christians took pride in not bathing and looked down on those who did so. St. Agnes, the young Christian martyr who died at the age of 12, was buried un bathed and unclean.
Royal Taboo
While bathhouses were still very now popular all over the world, they unfortunately had a tendency to be infested with frogs and bugs. Yuk! No one had yet thought about sterilizing these popular meeting places and was partly blamed for starting some of the worst plagues in history. Henry VIII ordered all bathhouses to be closed in 1500 and France closed them in 1538. Bathhouses remained closed in England for over two hundred years. Mary Queen of Scots occasionally bathed in wine, which most likely killed off some parasites of the infested and unwashed flesh of people in Tudor times. Her cousin, Elizabeth I bathed once a month and boasted that she did it, whether she needed or not.
By the 18th century, taking too many baths was thought to be the cause of infertility and a danger to pregnant women. What was considered a luxury past time in one part of the world was a true taboo in another. It wasn't until the late 1800's in Regency England when Beau Brummell, men's fashion arbiter, installed a “bath room” at the new Brighton Pavillion where local aristocrats soaked for hours in hot water, milk and French perfumes.
In Asia, men and women were unabashed to bathe together until a decree in 1870 stated that peasants and Royalty had to bathe separately. This decree soon dissolved and even now the Japanese are still the champions of the bath, taking several baths a day, one for cleansing and one for relaxing. They love to attain the condition of “yudedako” or “boiled octopus”.
New World Plumbing
Since the 1790s, the Northeast had European inspired bathhouses, although much cleaner. New world architects wanted bathroom facilities in hotels, restaurants and private homes, however it simply was not feasible without suitable water and a waste supply system.
Outside of a few private homes, hotels were the only bastions of luxury, comfort and indoor plumbing. In 1829, the brilliant young architect, twenty six year old, Isaiah Rogers, gave inspiration throughout the country with his innovative indoor plumbing at the Tremont Hotel in Boston. It became the first prototype of a modern, first class American hotel. This four-story structure had eight water closets on the ground floor, located at the rear of the central court. The bathtubs were copper or tin and probably had a little side arm and a gas furnace attached at one end. Just as the European models did, the water in the tub would flow and circulate backwards all the water was heated to satisfaction. The water came from a metal storage tank with a steam pump set on top of the hotel roof.
These copper bathtubs even made it out west and into the brothels of the gold mining country, even though the rarity of taking baths during this time almost mirrored the Renaissance.
Bathing Dos and Don'ts
Do add Epsom salts to relax tired muscles. Great for right before you go to sleep.
Do not put champagne in the bath; the carbonation can lead to an infection.
Do add aromatherapy oils according to your mood or what time of day it is.
Don't draw an extremely hot or cold bath. The heat can weaken and dry out the skin not to mention put strain on your heart as it works to dilate blood vessels in order to cool the body. Cold baths are only advisable for those in good health, as they can strain the heart.
Do add fresh milk to your bath, you will love the benefits.
Don't put too much perfume into the bath, it may be too overpowering and ruin the experience.
Do add oatmeal to your pet's bath, it will help soothe some skin allergies.
Don't just buy any bubble bath; check the label for harsh ingredients that may irritate your skin.
Do put fresh herbs in the bath to make it a truly organic experience.
Don't enjoy a bath just once a month, try once a week!
