Cooling Lemongrass Towels
A little refresher for a lovely end to your home workout
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Once the workout's done and your skin is glowing, there's nothing better than a pleasantly scented, cool towel draped across your neck. Lemongrass towels are perfect for this and you can make them yourself at home.
What are lemongrass towels, and where do they come from?
A lemongrass towel is a small hand towel soaked in cool, scented water and rolled up. They're best known from spas and hotels across Southeast Asia, where guests are often welcomed with a cold, lemongrass-scented towel. The idea is simple: the cold towel helps your body cool down, while the fresh, citrusy aroma of lemongrass lifts the senses and creates a calm, cared-for feeling.
Lemongrass itself is a tropical grass used widely in teas, cooking, and aromatherapy. Its light, clean scent is perfect for those moments when you want to feel fresh and revived after exertion.
Why are they so good after a workout?
After a home workout, your body is warm and your heart is beating faster than usual. A cool towel on your neck, the back of your head, or your wrists helps your body cool down more quickly, since the blood vessels sit close to the skin in these spots. It's a small but effective way to signal to your body that the effort is over and it's time to unwind.
The lemongrass aroma adds its own touch. As the cold towel cools your body, the fresh scent helps release tension and settle your mind into a calmer state. It turns the end of your workout into a little ritual, where you don't have to rush straight on to the next thing. This kind of refresher is especially lovely in summer or after a more intense full-body session, when your body really heats up.
How to make lemongrass towels
To make lemongrass towels, you'll need a couple of small cotton hand towels, lemongrass essential oil, cold water, a container with a lid, and a fridge.
Pour about a litre of cool or cold water into a bowl.
Add 3–5 drops of lemongrass essential oil to the water. If you prefer a more natural option, simmer fresh or dried lemongrass in water, let it cool, and strain.
Dip the small cotton hand towels into the scented water so they're thoroughly soaked.
Take each towel out and wring out the excess water, so it stays damp but not dripping.
Roll each towel up and place it in a sealable container or bag. A sealed container helps keep in both the moisture and the lemongrass scent, so the towel stays fresh and damp when you use it.
Put the towels in the fridge for at least an hour. That way, you can grab a cool towel straight from the fridge when you finish your workout.
It's best to use a prepared towel within a couple of days. If you're planning to make a larger batch, or you know you won't use them in the next few days, it's better to keep them in the freezer.
Where to find the materials
Towels - use small cotton hand towels you already have at home, or pick some up from most homeware shops if you need to.
Lemongrass essential oil - you'll find this in health food shops, pharmacies, and online. You can also grow lemongrass yourself in a pot or greenhouse.
Enjoy your post-workout cooldown
Once your workout is over, grab your prepared lemongrass towel from the fridge and place it on your forehead, neck, or wrists. It's a simple but really lovely way to reward yourself after all that effort.
Enjoy the refreshment! 😊
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