Everyone loves a long soak in a hot bath. From easing sore muscles to calming overactive minds, a relaxing bath is the ultimate expression of self-care.
To make the experience even more enjoyable, bath salts are often added. But what are they and which ones are best?
In this article, we’ll find out…
The benefits of bath salts
Why do we use bath salts? The ‘Father of medicine’ Hippocrates encouraged other doctors to use seawater to heal various conditions.
Many of us use bath salts to improve a relaxing soak in the tub. However, bath salts are professed to have many therapeutic and health benefits for people the following conditions…
- Anxiety
- Circulation problems
- Dry skin
- Eczema
- Headaches
- Itchy skin
- Muscle pain
- Stiff joints
- Stress
14 reasons make bath salts
- Fun: Gain the skillful practice of sourcing the quality ingredients yourself. You would understand why those actual ingredients are included.
- Address any skin issues: If you or your family members have sensitive or sensitised skin, you know what the actual natural ingredients are and where they came from. Many people approach me as they have allergies, which has negatively affected them. Making their own products has been helpful as they have been able to carefully use the items they made.
- Pleasant: Bath salts are designed to clean the skin naturally and gently.
- Bespoke: Bath salts you make can be adapted to your liking and specification. When you make them, they can be improved to your satisfaction. You can learn by trial and error.
- Nice present: You can craft a lovely gift – something special for a friend that is not found on the high street. An item that you know they’d want, like & use.
- Cost-effective: It may be possible to use what is already in your home so you may not need to buy extra stock.
- Simple: Making bath salts can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. You can decide. Some bath salts just contain Epsom salts, nothing else. I found some bath salts that are just sea salt infused with a pure essential oil. Some bath salts only have pink Himalayan salts.
- Fulfilling: Can improve feelings of satisfaction that you made something tangible that you can see, smell and touch.
- Worthwhile: making bath salts may be used as an enjoyable mindfulness activity that takes our attention away from negative things when we focus on the tasks at hand.
- Community: You can build good rapport when crafting with friends and neighbours. Bath salts can also be made in a group as a team building, social activity.
- Environmentally friendly: The bath salt glass containers can be reused, recycled, and hopefully repaired. Therefore, reducing the impact on the ecosystem.
- Hobby: Making bath salts can develop into a regular pastime.
- Raise funds: Some people make baths salts look professional to fundraise for a charity or good cause. For instance, I know a lady who is a member of “knit & natter” they meet every fortnight to knit things for charity.
- Emulate a spa: Bath Salts are used as therapeutic spa treatments. Put the bath salts in your bath and imagine being in a beautiful spa.
What are bath salts made of?
Bath salts are mainly made with water-soluble mineral particles.
Three water-soluble mineral particles used to make bath salts include:
- Epsom salt consists of magnesium sulphate.
- Sea salt mainly composed of sodium chloride also contains other trace minerals – magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Sea salts are added to baths.
- Natural Pink Himalayan salts are also used to make bath salts. Pink Himalayan salts are made up of about 94% of sodium chloride, said to also contain 84 minerals and trace elements that should be highly beneficial for the body.
Other ingredients added to bath salts
Pure essential oils (pure concentrated plant extracts).
Add 10 drops of pure essential oil to 100g of bath salts and mix thoroughly with a clean, wooden stick.
For example:
- Pure essential oil of Lemon – with refreshing properties.
- Pure essential oil of Marjoram – with muscle relaxant effects.
- Pure essential oil of Neroli (Orange Blossom) – with stress-relieving properties.
- Pure essential oil of Tea Tree – with antiseptic effects.
Dried botanicals
Add about one teaspoon to 100g of bath salts and mix thoroughly with a clean, wooden stick.
If adding dried botanicals, be careful of them blocking the bath plug hole.
For example:
- Dried lavender flowers – purple flowers look great, smell wonderful and can calm nerves.
- Dried rosemary leaves – with a distinctive aroma and should stimulate circulation.
- Dried tarragon leaves – green herbal addition and used as a general tonic.
How to make bath salts – a step by step recipe
Dried Step 1
- Design the bath salts to decide on the ingredients and container to use.
- I usually use coarse sea salts, pink Himalayan salts, and pure essential oil – 100g container.
Step 2
- Fill the container half full of the first ingredient.
- In my case, coarse sea salts.
Step 3
- Then fill the container near the top, first rim with the other ingredient(s).
- In my case, pink Himalayan salts are the other ingredient.
Step 4
- Carefully add drops of pure essential oil.
- I enjoy using white grapefruit pure essential oil.
Step 5
- Carefully mix well. I usually shake the container.
How to use bath salts
- Add about one tablespoon to the bath as you’re running it.
- Check bath is wonderfully warm, not too hot.
- Lie in the bath to enjoy the warmth and natural aroma.
- Your body should be totally relaxed.
- Release any physical tensions you may notice.
- Hold your belly with both hands.
- Take some deep relaxing breaths from the belly to fill the lungs.
- Aim to rest and soak in the bath for around 20 minutes.
- Another great use of bath salts (soaking salts) – place one dessert spoon of salts in a wide, shallow bucket half-filled with warm water for soaking the feet, hands, or elbow.
- Keep bath salts lid tightly closed when not in use.
Summary
In this article, I go through the ingredients and benefits of making natural soaking (bath) salts, not just in the bath. Please do note if any symptoms persist, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Cautions & disclaimer
The bath salts are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any diseases or conditions. If sensitive, always do a patch test. The bath salts are for safe external use only in the bath. Do not ingest. Do not use if allergic to any of the ingredients. Do not use bath salts on broken skin. Avoid contact with the eyes. Keep away from young children and pets.