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Therapeutic bath salts are a fantastic way to soothe tired muscles, calm the body, and enjoy aromatherapy. It’s easy to make your own natural bath salts with a few simple ingredients.
Ladies, do you dream of a soothing, warm bath? Relaxing with your favorite book…no kids banging on the bathroom door…no phone calls…ahhh.
A warm bath will soothe your muscles, and the increased circulation stimulates your lymphatic system. As your body temperature rises, your body releases endorphins (the same chemical released when you exercise).
What could possibly make this better? Enhance your bath with a therapeutic blend of minerals and essential oils, more commonly known as bath salts.
Warning: bath salts and table salt are not the same thing! Please don’t dump your salt shaker into the bathtub. A quality bath salt blend has three main components: epsom salts, premium essential oil(s), and baking soda.
Therapeutic Bath Salt Ingredients
Epsom salts are a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. When dissolved in water, your body absorbs this compound through your skin, replenishing your body’s magnesium levels.
Magnesium helps your body produce serotonin, a brain chemical that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Since 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium (source), using epsom salts can help promote restful sleep.
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Premium essential oils are pure extracts from plants. (Learn more about the only essential oils I use and recommend.) When inhaled, their aroma travels through your nose to the olfactory bulb in your brain. This in turn sends triggers to the limbic system, which is why essential oils can improve our emotional state. Different essential oils help in different ways, as we’ll see below.
Baking soda is important because it’s a neutralizer. City water (and other water that isn’t filtered) can contain chlorine, trace amounts of medicines, and who knows what else. You don’t want that stuff getting in your body while your pores are open.
For the same reason, don’t wash with soap when using bath salts. Just soak for 15-20 minutes and dry off. Save the soap for another day.
Making Therapeutic Bath Salts
Ingredients
2 cups epsom salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cornstarch (prevents clumping)
1 teaspoon olive oil (moisturizing)
20-25 drops quality essential oils
2 Tablespoons finely crushed dried herbs (optional)
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together with a plastic or wooden spoon and store in a glass jar. Add 1 cup to an adult’s bath or use ½ cup for a foot soak.
Here are some of the best essential oils to use in your bath salts.
Invigorating: 15 drops Lemon, 10 drops Peppermint
Relaxing: 20 drops Lavender
Calming: 20 drops Serenity Restful blend (contains Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, and Hawaiian Sandalwood)
