DIY Epsom Salt Baths

Did you know that the simple act of taking a bath can help soothe a myriad of ailments from inflammation and indigestion to sleep issues.

Now, I’m not talking just any old bath. 

I’m talking about one infused with Epsom salts, herbs and oils to help soothe sore muscles, assist with detoxification, calm the mind and promote a more restful sleep.  Sounds kinda nice doesn’t it!

You see, our skin is our largest organ, which absorbs all of these wonderful botanicals – not to mention all of their healing benefits - when they are released into warm water.

To use any of the blends listed below, just simply add to your bath when your bath is almost full, but the warm water is running - giving the salts a chance to dissolve, but not giving the oils a chance to evaporate.

NOTE:  Most Epsom Salt bath recipes you will see quote 2 cups of Epsom salts for each bath.  For me personally, I only use 1 cup as I find 2 cups way too much for my body regarding the detoxification process that occurs – I end up red cheeked, hot and sweaty.  Not what you want after a relaxing bath!  So in my recipes below, I will only quote 1 cup of salts, however if you can tolerate more, then go for it.  Remember, everybody’s bodies are different.

The Basic

1 cup Epsom Salts

1 tablespoon or oil (I use either organic coconut oil or apricot kernel oil)

The Soother

1 cup Epsom Salts | ½ cup apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp carrier oil of your choice | 6 drops clary sage essential oil | 4 drops lavender essential oil

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Being rich in magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts can help reduce water retention and inflammation in our body, both of which are often at the root of menstrual cramps.

Adding apple cider vinegar, - rich in calcium and potassium - can help ease cramping muscles in and around the uterus.

Clary Sage - containing naturally occurring sclareol can have a calming, balancing and relaxing effect, helping to balance emotions.

The Fatigue Lifter

1 cup Epsom salts | ½ cup apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp carrier oil of your choice | 4 drops grapefruit essential oil | 4 drops lavender essential oil

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Apple cider vinegar helps draw excess uric acid out of our body and provides pain relief associated with headaches as well as physical and mental exhaustion. The vinegar’s natural acidity has an alkalizing effect on our body, helping restore our pH balance.

Grapefruit essential oil is an excellent mood balancer.

Adding calming lavender essential oil helps to quiet the mind.

The Relaxer

1 cup Epsom salts | 1 tbsp carrier oil of your choice | 5 drops of lavender | 3 drops cedarwood

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This calming and relaxing combo has been linked to less stress and better sleep, as cedarwood essential oil promotes a calming and relaxing environment, and is wonderful for your skin too!

Tension Be Gone

1 cup of Epsom salts | ½ cup apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp carrier oil of your choice | 4 drops rosemary or copaiba or orange essential oil | 4 drops lavender essential oil

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The magnesium-rich Epsom salts are helpful in reducing cortical-spreading depression—this is the visual and sensory changes that occur when experiencing a headache, especially a migraine. They also help block the pain-transmitting chemicals in the brain. Win/win.

The calming and numbing effects of lavender essential oil are a perfect combination.