What if you could relieve stress, soothe sore muscles, and improve the overall health of your skin at the same time? Well, you can if you soak in the relaxing bath salt mixture that’s in this article. Unlike your typical bath salt mixture, this recipe contains black salt, which comes from the salt mines in the Himalayas. It can also come from areas where salt mixes with lava rock, for example, in the Hawaiian Islands. 

Historical Use Of Black Salt

According to historians, black salt has been used in Ayurvedic practices for centuries. It’s a common healing ingredient because of the inherent medicinal properties. Anecdotal reports claim that it can help improve digestion, reduce muscle cramps, relieve heartburn, and eliminate toxins from the skin. Many scientists believe that the rich essential mineral content is responsible for these benefits. More scientific research is necessary to solidify these claims. 

Types Of Black Salt

Black Lava Salt

Commonly known as Hawaiian black salt, black lava salt has an earthy flavor and comes from the Hawaiian Islands. It’s not a common seasoning in dishes; rather, it works better as a finishing salt. It has a smoky aroma and offers robust flavor. 

Himalayan Black Salt

This salt is more common in cooking, especially in Indian cuisine. Known as Indian black salt, Himalayan black salt has a powerful smell that is reminiscent of sulfur. The smoky, savory flavor works well in rich stews or sauces, and the mineral content offers a wide range of medicinal benefits. 

Black Ritual Salt

Sometimes this salt is known as witches salt, but it won’t cast a spell on you. Well, it may enchant you with its benefits, provided you believe in the supernatural. This salt is not meant for ingestion, so please do not eat it. Some people sprinkle this salt under the bed or around the yard to ward off bad energy or evil spirits. 

Black Salt And Your Bath

Adding black salt to your bath offers numerous benefits for the skin. Once you mix it in with the bathwater, soak in it and gently rub your skin. This can help exfoliate and unclog your pores, whereby the minerals from the salt enter your pores to clean and nourish them. If you suffer from dry skin or cracked heels, black salt offers relief from the itching sensation. Many of the minerals have anti-inflammatory properties, which help to rejuvenate the skin. Lastly, the mineral content works to strengthen the hair and scalp, so don’t be afraid to sink your head back into the bath. 

DIY Black Salt Bath Salt Mixture

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Hawaiian black lava salt
• 1/4 cup magnesium flakes
• 1 tsp PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
• 20 drops balsam fir essential oil
• 12 drops chamomile essential oil
• 8 drops lavender essential oil
• 1/4 tsp gold mica
• 1/3 cup dried marigold
• 1/4 cup dried jasmine buds

Instructions:

• Add the Hawaiian black salt to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix the magnesium flakes and mica powder. 
• In another small bowl, combine the Glyceryl Cocoate and the essential oils. Stir to combine. 
• Pour the magnesium flake mixture and the essential oil mixture to the large bowl with the black salt. Finally, add in the dried marigold and jasmine buds and give the mixture a good stir to combine. 
• Transfer the bath salt mixture into a large glass jar and store in a cool, dry place. 
• When ready to use, add 1/3 – 1/2 cup of the bath salts to a warm bath and stir to dissolve. Soak in the tub for 15-20 minutes. 

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Every now and again you need to carve a chunk out of the day for some self-care. Not only does this help you maintain your sanity, but it also helps you focus on nurturing your body. This self-care time can come in many forms, including meditation, a walk in the neighborhood, a nap, or soaking in a bath. We enjoy the bath option because you can add herbs or fragrances to the water that help soften the skin and relax the mind. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

Let Us Introduce You To Tub Teas

A tub tea is simple: it’s essentially a giant tea bag filled with herbs, spices, essential oils, and salts that you steep in your tub. Don’t put a straw into the tub and start slurping; rather, this tea bath is meant to transport you from the stressed world into a soothing, tranquil place. The ingredients you fill your tea bags with will depend on what you are trying to get out of the bath. We just recommend purchasing muslin drawstring bags or large paper tea filters to put the ingredients in because they are effective and occasionally reusable. You can also wrap the herbs in cheesecloth and put the bundle in stockings.

Relaxation Blend

Lavender

Lavender has traditionally been used for its therapeutic and curative properties, which have helped treat parasite infections, manage neurological disorders, and promote relaxation. It is very easy for the skin to absorb the soothing properties of lavender, making it a great ingredient for tub teas. The antidepressive, calming, and sedative properties will transport you into a calmer, stress-free state.

Chamomile

According to several studies, the inhalation of chamomile oil vapor helped reduce stress hormone levels, and the application of chamomile oil further reduced these hormones. It has been reported that chamomile is an excellent remedy for general anxiety disorder (GAD). One study found that anxiety subjects experienced reduced symptoms after consuming chamomile.

Sage

Sage is a powerful herb that popularly used in aromatherapy and spiritual cleansing practices. It contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been known to improve skin health. Sage is an excellent herb for stress, and research has indicated that it can help calm nerves by stimulating the senses with the soothing aroma.

Lemon Balm

This scented herb belongs to the same family as the mint plant, and it has traditionally been used to improve mood and boost cognitive function. More recently, researchers have studied lemon balm for its ability to combat psychological stress. A 2004 study found that lemon balm increased a sense of calm and reduced alertness. A different study in 2014 concluded that lemon balm reduced nervousness and symptoms of anxiety.

DIY Tub Tea Blend

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons dried lavender
• 6 tablespoons dried chamomile
• 6 tablespoons dried sage
• 6 tablespoons dried lemon balm
• 6 tablespoons dried calendula
• 2 tablespoons Epsom salt
• 2 tablespoons old fashioned oats

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to your bag and tie it up to ensure minimal leakage of ingredients. If some herbs manage to go rogue and make their way out of the tea bag, it isn’t the end of the world.
• Hang the tea bag from the faucet and draw a warm bath (there’s no need to make it boiling to infuse the ingredients). As the water fills the tub, it will run through the herbs and fill the water with the relaxing properties from the herbal ingredients.
• You can remove the tea bag when the bath is ready, or you can leave it floating in the bath as you soak.
• Discard the ingredients when finished.

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Winter and sinus congestion go together like two peas in a pod. While the weather plays a role in feeling congested, bacteria and viruses are too easily passed nowadays. If the immune system isn’t functioning optimally, these viruses will take you down, resulting in a three-way battle of sniffles, coughing, and blowing your nose. Fortunately, we have a bath soak that can help relieve congestion.

When you are congested, there is no better feeling than the moment you are able to fully inhale through your nose without any blockage. It’s almost as if the clouds have cleared and the sun shines through for a brief moment of glorious breathing. Then the sky becomes overcast and it’s back to being the person with a stuffy nose. This is the moment when you turn to essential oils that clear the sinuses to allow for easier breathing.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is one of the most concentrated and intense essential oils, which is why it is paramount to dilute it when it comes to topical application. The menthol in peppermint essential oil works to provide relief from respiratory problems, including coughing, congestion, sinusitis, bronchitis, or the common cold. Lab studies have found that peppermint essential oil may fight the various bacteria that are responsible for sinus congestion, and it also works to reduce inflammation.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil has been used as an alternative remedy for sinusitis and congestion for many years, with several over-the-counter products containing eucalyptus extract or oils. People often enjoy eucalyptus in diffusers, steam rooms, or baths to help clear stuffiness. Eucalyptus essential oil contains cineole, a compound that helps to treat runny nose, headaches, and nasal obstruction. This makes eucalyptus a go-to essential oil if you are congested.

DIY Sinus Relief Bath

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup baking soda
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the Epsom salt and baking soda to a glass jar and mix together. Add the essential oils and continue mixing.
• Seal the jar and now you have a decongestant bath salt ready to go whenever you feel congested.
• When you want some relief from sinus congestion, draw a hot bath and add about 2-4 tablespoons of this mixture to the bath and stir. Soak in the bath from 20 minutes and relax.

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You can’t put life on hold when you get sick, even though the only thing you want to do is curl up in bed to sleep the sickness away. When you develop a cold or the flu, there’s nothing more comforting than relaxing in a soothing bath. Soaking in a hot bath helps to relieve achy muscles and almost acts as a mini steam room, which helps clear up your sinuses. Because the cold, flu, and allergy season is upon us, one of the best defenses is to be proactive by making cold and flu bath salts.

Sure, you can take a regular bath, but it is better to take a bath with added benefits. The recipes we found contain Epsom salt, which is loaded with magnesium and works to soothe sore muscles. Magnesium also works to combat stress hormones in the body and reduce overall inflammation. You can use sea salt in the recipes, below, but we recommend using Epsom salt.

You’ll also notice that both of these recipes contain eucalyptus essential oil. In addition to the antimicrobial properties that benefit the skin, eucalyptus essential oil is commonly used to relieve cold symptoms. It acts as an expectorant, which helps to naturally loosen phlegm and aid decongestion. Recent studies also indicate that eucalyptus extract can benefit those with respiratory tract infections.

Breathe Easy Bath Salt

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup baking soda
• 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops alcohol-free vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to an airtight glass jar and mix well. Store this in a cool, dry place.
• Use ¼-½ cup when you take a bath. Soak in this for at least 15 minutes to absorb the benefits.

Soothing Vapor Bath Salt

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Epsom salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
• 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to an airtight glass jar and mix well. Store this in a cool, dry place.
• Use ½ cup or 1 cup of the mixture when you take a bath. Soak in this for at least 20 minutes for optimum results.

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As the weather starts getting colder, some of us get congested or have persistent sinus issues. Add work, stress, and your kids (if you have them) to the mix and that can worsen your sinus congestion because these all take a toll on the body. Lucky for you, we have an awesome DIY bath that is great for decongestion.

Bath salts and essential oils are always great herbal remedies, and they are great for helping you relax. When you soak in a bath, which has salts and essential oils mixed in, your skin absorbs the healing properties and you inhale the scents that help clear your airways.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup baking soda
• Mason jar or air tight container
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

In a bowl, combine the salt and baking soda, followed by the essential oils. Put this blend in a Mason jar so that you have it ready whenever you feel congested. All you have to do is draw a warm bath, mix a couple scoops of this in the water, soak in the bath, and relax. Soak in the bath for about 15-30 minutes. Let us know if this helped relieve congestion.

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