Primally Inspired Real food, Natural Remedies, Holistic Living
I believe less stress is a huge part of the total health equation. One of my very favorite ways to de-stress, relax and unwind is by taking baths. I’ve talked about the importance of Epsom Salts HERE and when you combine the power of epsom salt with the power of herbs, you’ve got yourself a wonderful healing, nourishing and soothing remedy that’s good for the body and soul.
I’m such a believer in herbal epsom salt baths, that I’m known to carry jars of my herbal epsom salts in my car to give as gifts to whoever I think may need an extra boost 🙂
Lavender Eucalyptus Bath Soak
Soaks and bath salts have been used historically for medicinal purposes since the times of Hippocrates, when he used to use salt water to heal many different ailments, and for beauty purposes since the times of Cleopatra when she used to soak in milk baths. Bath soaks offer therapeutic benefits as well cosmetics benefits.
Epsom Salt is the common name for the naturally occurring magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is dubbed by many a miracle mineral. It is responsible for the regulation of over 300 enzymes in our bodies, relives stress, aids in the proper function of muscles, and reduces inflammation.
Sulfate flushes toxins and heavy metals from the cells helping our bodies eliminate harmful substances.
Lavender essential oil as well as the dry flowers are well know for their relaxing properties. A study revealed lavender impacts the autonomic nervous system, hence the reason it is used to treat insomnia (source). Eucalyptus is used to treat respiratory problems, from congestion to asthma. It is also great for relieving muscle pain due to it’s analgesic properties.
All of these ingredients make this recipe the perfect soak after a long day, but particularly during a cold or after strenuous activity.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Epsom Salts (Find them HERE)
- 1/2 cup dry lavender (Find it HERE)
- 5-6 drops pure lavender essential oil (Find it HERE)
- 10 drops pure eucalyptus essential oil (Find it HERE)
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, fill bathtub with very warm water, add the combined ingredients, and soak for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Word of caution: before getting up take a couple deep breaths to allow oxygen back to the brain, and get up slowly. Epson Salts can make you feel a little lightheaded if not used to regular soaks.
You have to be careful when using essential oils .. some can be applied to the skin directly, but most you aren’t allowed to because it can cause minor to severe irritation.
Lavender is one of the safe ones, eucalyptus, if I recall right, is not.
If you want to use eucalyptus essential oil, you have to dillute it with a carrier oil (or milk, or honey) before you add it to your salt.
This is to ensure that pure EO of eucalyptus will not land on your skin and cause troubles.
Almond oil is a nice oil to use in the tub for this purpose. Of course there are others too.
For the rest, sounds good 🙂
I would imagine that with the Eucalyptus this would be a great way to relax when feeling a bit under the weather too. You mentioned that it helps with congestion, so a warm bath with these ingredients (along with the steam) would definitely be a great way to treat oneself to some relaxation while feeling sick.
Lavender have gotten a lot of flack lately, but it’s still one of the most versatile essential oils out there!
Thanks for the recipe.
Would you be so kind to let me know if you priced this and if this is expensive to make?
Thank you….
How well do you think this detox bath would work without the dried lavender? I have everything except that.
It would still work great, Stacey!
Can this be made and stored in a sealed glass container, to gift to others? I can see Liam mentioned mixing the eucalyptus oil with perhaps almond oil first, before mixing. I am gifting this, so dont want to give someone a reaction and wondered if you could suggest a quantity of almond oil to mix.
Many thanks
Hi Sam, you could mix the essential oils with 1 teaspoon almond oil first and then add them to the bath salt and shake. What a wonderful gift – I hope the recipient enjoys it! 🙂