There must be quite a few things a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them. – Sylvia Plath
Don’t underestimate the power of a warm bath. After a long day at the office or running around with the kids or just as a great way to end the day, what could be more relaxing than to soak in a nice scented bath. It is well known that the use of water has many benefits for the body. There is a name for that, its called hydrotherapy. Baths are good for all kinds of things, whether it’s to relieve sore muscles, to soothe a troubled soul, to feel better when you have flu or simply for pleasure and relaxation. A bath is good for you.
Who has never bought a perfumed bath salts in their life?
Hydrotherapy, Aromatherapy and Herbalism goes so well together.
Despite the fact that I love scented baths, I must admit that I haven’t bought bath salts in stores for several years.
First of all, if you have gotten used to reading ingredients labels when you buy a product, you have noticed that most companies add more than questionable ingredients in the products we use. There are lots of ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, preservatives, and the list goes on.
Most of these chemical ingredients are irritating and even toxic for us. I can’t repeat it enough, it’s super important to read the list of ingredients before you buy a product. It is your responsibility to know what you are buying and using in your home. Above all, do not rely on the packaging. Marketing is deceptive and companies use creative advertising to express, suggest or even say pretty much anything. This is called “greenwashing”.
One way I have found to resolve this problem is to make some of my products myself. Making a bath salt is super easy and you can constantly modify it to your preferences. Let me show you how.
Rule #1 in aromatherapy
Despite the fact that essential oils are not oily to the touch, they are still oils. And as you know, oils and water don’t mix well together. So when you want to add essential oils to your bath, you must use another product that will facilitate the dispersion of the oils in your bath water.
That’s where salt comes in. When you pour the essential oils over the salt, they are absorbed by the salt and then the salt will be diluted and dispersed throughout the bath water. This prevents you from having a drop of essential oil floating on the surface of the water.
For an aromatic bath, you could simply take 1/2 cup of epsom salt and add 8 to 10 drops of the essential oils of your choice for an adult (4-5 for a child).
But why keep it simple, whe we can make it complicated!?
Here’s a recipe that I created last week:
[ultimate-recipe id=”2969″ template=”default”]
INGREDIENTS FOR DETOX BATHS
When making your bath salts in the future, you can use different ingredients as you wish. Use whatever you have on hand.
You can substitute oats with clay. You can add ginger powder for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Use different essential oils according to your mood or your needs.
And why not add a handful of medicinal herbs or tea leaves or beautiful soothing flowers? Each ingredient brings different benefits.
Epsom salt
Epsom salt is actually composed of sulphate and magnesium, it’s a great way to provide your body with magnesium. This will be absorbed through the pores of your skin when you soak in the bath.
It promotes relaxation, helps to relieve tension, pain and muscle stiffness.
This type of salt participates in the elimination of cellular waste and facilitates the body’s detoxification process.
Promotes hydration and makes the skin soft. It is excellent to relieve sunburn and other skin irritations.
Beware of perfumed epsom salt, it is very likely that synthetic fragrances are used.
Sea Salt
There are different types of sea salts and all are composed of different mineral salts.
Dead Sea Salt contains large amounts of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium. This salt comes from the evaporation of sea water, or sometimes from mines.
Be careful, sea salt can dry out the skin if used alone.
Pink salt from the Himalayas
Formed over 250 million years ago. The Himalayan mountain were once covered by an ocean (Tethys) and now this salt is found in northern Pakistan in large underground salt deposits.
Pink Himalayan salt is rich in iron, hence its colour.
It promotes good blood circulation, It helps to balance the blood pH.
It is known for its high purity in mineral salts (more than 80) and trace elements.
It has regenerating, mineralizing, firming and detoxifying effects.
Sodium bicarbonate
Thanks to its alkalizing properties, the addition of bicarbonate to the bath water softens the water.
Excellent for relieving skin irritation and itching.
Oats
Oat leaves the skin soft and moisturized. It relieves dryness, itching and other types of skin problems.
Clay
Clay is known for its cleansing, softening, detoxifying and soothing properties.
It is a material rich in minerals, especially silica and trace elements such as iron, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium.
It offers a mineralizing, regenerating and absorbent action.
Goat’s milk powder
It is perfect for relieving certain skin disorders.
Soothing to the skin, perfect for children and sensitive skin.
Citric acid:
Use it to create an effervescent bath salt.
Essential Oils
Here are different ideas of essential oils you can try
- Expectorant effect: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Raven
- Skin Care: Frankincense, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang, Lavender
- Relax: Lavender, Clary Sage, Oorange, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Jasmine
- Tired muscles: PanAway, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Deep Relief, Relieve it, Cool Azul
- Stress reduction: Northern Light Black Spruce, Lemon, Cedarwood, Orange, Stress Away
- Energy: Lemon, Peppermint
- Well-being: Valor
- My favorites for the kids: Peace and Calming, Gentle baby, Lavender
Click here if you’d like to get the essential oils I use.
I hope you enjoyed the article.
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Have a nice day.
Isabelle -Votre Amie Essentielle
XOXO