Kate West - The Real Witches’ Kitchen - Spells, recipes, oils, lotions and potions from the Witches’ Hearth

1 tablespoon rolled oats

6 drops geranium oil

6 drops sandalwood oil

4 drops lavender oil

2 to 4 drops patchouli oil or rose oil

(add the latter slowly as these are highly scented and not to everyone’s taste)

Whilst I usually recommend using no scent at all as the best way to avoid insect bites, I have also had good results with this recipe.

10–20 drops lemongrass oil

5 drops lavender oil

If you are not going to expose your skin to sunlight, you can also add 5 drops bergamot oil, but do be aware that it can make some skins photosensitive and has been linked to skin cancer when combined with exposure to the sun.

Whilst soaps are excellent, there are times when you want to wash with something for a special purpose but do not intend to use that product day in and day out, or even for weeks at a time. In such cases it is easier to make a small quantity of bath foam or oil for the purpose. For your base you can use any unscented bath foam or oil. Many people choose those intended for babies, although they do have quite a strong fragrance of their own. My personal favourite base is the plain foaming bath oil from The Body Shop, as it has oil in the blend and therefore takes up essential oils quite well, but it is not all oil and so does not leave you with a greasy ring around the bath.

Whatever your choice of base, there are two routes you can go down. One is to make up a quantity of your recipe and store it in a well-labelled glass bottle in a cool dark place between uses. The other is to make just enough for the one bath immediately prior to use. The following recipes are based on the one-bath recipe, using about a tablespoonful of your base foam or a teaspoonful of oil, so you will need to multiply up the ingredients if you are making a larger quantity.

When using essential oils in the bath you should make sure that the bathwater is not too hot – not only does this release the fragrance of the oils too quickly, but it can also be quite debilitating. Try to make your bathtime a relaxing event – don’t rush and hurry, and whilst in the water spend time focusing on what you are about to do. Try bathing by candlelight – it is an excellent way of setting a mood.

Use the time in the bath first to soak away the cares of the day and secondly to focus on the Magical work you are about to commence.

2 drops frankincense oil

2 drops sandalwood oil

1 drop orange oil

Before undertaking any kind of divination, or to promote prophetic dreams, have a long soak in this formula. It is best to do this by candlelight and not to use a base oil or foam or any other scented products (such as soap).

Take 2 crushed bay leaves and 1 tablespoonful of thyme, add to 1 pint of very hot water and leave to stand for an hour. Strain this liquid and add to your bath with:

5 drops lemongrass oil

2 drops myrrh oil

This is an excellent bath to take just before bed and is also suitable for children over the age of two (for those under two, omit the valerian). Don’t use it every night, as you can easily become accustomed to the effects and find that it doesn’t work when you really need it.

6 drops lavender oil

2 drops valerian oil (1 drop for children over two years)

As soon as you feel the onset of a cold, have a long relaxing soak in the following:

4 drops lavender oil

2 drops eucalyptus oil

2 drops jasmine oil

1 drop cinnamon oil

1 drop ginger oil

After bathing, wrap up warmly and go to bed with a warm drink.

This is excellent for those mornings when you feel sluggish or have a busy day ahead or even for the morning after the night before. Try to have the bath quite cool and stay in the water for at least 10 minutes to let the oils take effect.

3 drops rose oil

3 drops rosemary oil

3 drops rosewood oil

When you have exerted yourself and feel that you should ward off muscular aches and pains, try this one:

3 drops lavender oil

3 drops camomile oil

2 drops lemongrass oil

2 drops rosemary oil

When preparing for a romantic encounter, whether out on a date or at home with a loved one, soak yourself in the following:

2 drops sandalwood oil

2 drops jasmine oil

1 drop neroli oil

1 drop ylang ylang oil

If you really want to add spice to the encounter, add 1 drop of cardamom oil, but be prepared for the results!

We all have times in our lives when we need to care for our own physical, mental and emotional state. In fact most of us neglect ourselves in these respects far too often. But if you do not look after yourself, how are you going to do the best for those you care for? Take time out at least once a week to treat yourself. Make the environment as pleasant as you can – perhaps light candles around the bath and play some soothing music. Above all, turn off the phone and lock the door to make sure you are not disturbed even by your near and dear. Then relax in the following:

2 drops frankincense oil

2 drops jasmine oil

2 drops sandalwood oil

2 drops ylang ylang oil

1 drop rose oil

1 drop ginger oil

This is for those times when the world really has been getting on top of you and you feel really stressed out!

8 drops neroli oil

4 drops clary sage oil

4 drops lavender oil

2 drops cedarwood oil

There is another way of adding herbs to your bath and that is to make them into a ‘tea’. You will need to steep the herbs in a small amount of boiling water for around 15 to 20 minutes and then strain the resultant liquid into your bath. You can of course add the herbs to the water directly, but then you will have the problem of getting all the bits off your skin and the sides of the bath!

If you prefer to shower with any of these preparations then it is best to tie the herbs into a face cloth (wash cloth) or piece of fabric and rub it directly into the skin after washing but before your final rinse.

3 tsp rosemary

3 tsp jasmine petals

a pinch of ginger