A beautiful big cookie jar or similar can display your bath salts

I am an avid bath taker, in fact I probably have more baths than showers these days, and I consider it a luxurious way to end the day. There’s something so soothing and nurturing about slipping into a pool of steamy water and closing the world away for ten minutes. Even better if I’ve made the effort to light candles, and add essential oils or bath salts. The whole ritual imbues a sense of relaxation. I run warm water, or if the water’s too hot I hover dangerously above the searing heat while more cold water is added. This whole ordeal just adds more relief to the feeling I get when I immerse myself in a cocoon of liquid and soak the day away. Bliss.

Benefits of soaking in bath salts

Natural bath salts, such as those made from the recipe below, are said to stimulate circulation, hydrate the skin, increase moisture retention, promote cellular regeneration, detoxify the skin, and helps heal irritated skin. Salt water bathing is said to soothe inflamed muscles and joints, relax muscles and relieve pain and soreness in the body*.

Importantly, bath salts contain beneficial minerals that are absorbed through the skin into the body. The most noteworthy mineral in bath salts is magnesium. Magnesium is an electrolyte, helpful for proper function of muscle, nerve and enzyme function, and critical for proper absorption of calcium in the body. Sulfate is also beneficial for people with low sulfate levels, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis.

*Note: if you have injured yourself e.g twisted ankle, practice ‘first aid’ for the first 24-72 hours to reduce swelling using rest/ice/compression/elevation for first 24-72 hours. After that time period, and in consultation with a treating practitioner, a bath could be beneficial to warm and stimulate blood flow to the area.

What are ‘bath salts’?

Bath salts usually contain a mixture of Epsom salts and other types of salts with the addition of essential oils or fragrances and other additives. Be cautious of commercially sold bath salts as some may contain ‘fragrances’ or other additives, such as borax, which are not beneficial to bathe in, and can be harmful or even toxic to humans!

The recipe below uses the following salts:

• Epsom salt – Epsom salt occurs naturally as a pure mineral, with the scientific name Magnesium Sulfate, or more correctly, as ‘epsomite’ with the chemical formula MgSO₄·7H₂O. The salts are named after the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, where the salt was produced from the springs that arise where the porous chalk of the North Downs meets non-porous London clay.
• Dead Sea salt – taken from the Dead Sea which has substantially higher salt concentrations (29%) compared to the oceans (4%). Salt from the the Dead Sea also differs in types and concentrations of mineral ions compared to ocean derived salt. For example, ocean salt is approximately 97% sodium chloride while Dead Sea salt is only 12-18% sodium chloride. According to a study cited at Wikipedia, Dead Sea salt has been found to contain other beneficial ions including sodium, chloride, magnesium, calcium and potassium.
• Himalayan salt – which actually comes from the salt range in Pakistan, about 300 kilometers from the Himalayan mountains! The pink colour is derived from iron oxides. I like the pink colour and as this salt also comes in large rocks it adds a different texture, and colour to the bath salt mix.
• Bicarbonate of soda – Bicarb is a naturally occurring salt that can also be produced artificially, with a chemical formula NaHCO3. I like using it as it has a slightly fizzy action in the water. Bicarb is hailed as some as a wonder ingredient for multiple uses in the home, particularly as a non-toxic cleaning agent. I have a big bag of it under the sink and make a solution of bicarb, vinegar and water as an all purpose ‘spray and wipe’.
• Essential oils – (optional) -a variety of different oils chosen depending on the particular blend. Essential oils have therapeutic effects, and add a natural and safe fragrance to the bath salts.
• Flower petals/ herbs/ spices – (optional) – choose from dried lavender, rose petals, hibiscus petals, calendula (marigold), rosemary and similar.

How to make your own bath salts.

Bath salts are super easy to make and are a gorgeous gift for those who love to indulge in this simple pleasure. Basically we just want to mix together beneficial salts and essential oils that are both beneficial and healthy to use and look great. Some favourite blends are below.

Basic bath salt blend (all percentages are approximate, and may be adjusted to suit availability of ingredients and personal preference; I made a large quantity for gifts and the corresponding portions in ‘cups’ are provided):

• Epsom salt – 60% (6 cups)
• Deep Sea salt – 20% (1 1/2 cups)
• Himalayan salt – 15% (1 1/4 cups)
• Bicarbonate of soda – 5% (1/2 cup)

1. Add salts together in a big bowl and mix well using a large spoon.
2. While stirring add essential oils and mix well.
3. Add flower petals and herbs and stir again.
4. Spoon into nice jars, cellophane bags or other container to display the pretty salts and allow to infuse evenly.
5. Will last indefinitely, but I would advise using within six months while the oils and herbs are fragrant. Also be careful of glass in the bathroom.

Get Loved Up (ylang ylang and rose geranium)©

• Basic bath salt blend (see above)
• Ylang ylang essential oil – 25 drops
• Rose geranium essential oil – 20 drops
• tips & broken up lavender flowers (pick some and dry them yourself), calandula flowers (use a herb tea with the flowers still largely whole), rose petals (dried) and/or hibiscus petals (I ordered these online for another product that hasnt come to fruition yet – they are wonderful, and in the bath leave a red trail of colour and are quite sweet to chew on! On that note, the bath salt blends are completely non toxic and safe.

Deep Sea Relief (rosemary, peppermint and lavender)©

• Basic bath salt blend (see above)
• Rosemary essential oil – 20 drops
• Lavender essential oil – 15 drops
• Peppermint (or similar) essential oil – 10 drops
• rosemary (pick some and dry it yourself, then run fingers along the stalk to remove the rosemary leaves – yes those little spiky parts are in fact modified leaves which enable the rosemary plant to survive in harsh conditions). Could add lavender tips too, but I ran out!

Relax, Review and Renew (lavender and citrus)©

• Basic bath salt blend (see above)
• Lavender essential oil – 25 drops
• Orange essential oil – 20 drops
• tips & broken up lavender flowers (pick some and dry them yourself), and calendula flowers (use a herb tea with the flowers still largely whole). If you had dried orange rind that could be added

© Angela Standley natureglow.com.au – please link back to my site if you use the recipe/reference/source me. Love to have your comments/questions below.