How to Make Your Own Therapeutic Aromatherapy Bath Salts

Aromatherapy uses the olfactory system to stimulate responses in the brain. This includes relaxation. Hydrotherapy is the use of water to facilitate healing. Creating your own homemade bath salts is easy and combines hydrotherapy with aromatherapy. You can make up personalized batches for yourself, family and friends for just pennies a bath. They are economical, cheap and make nice gifts!

Ingredients

The main ingredients in making bath salts are salt, baking soda, glycerin and essential oils.

There are two types of salts I recommend. They are sea salt and Epsom salts.

Sea salts are originate from the Dead Sea. This body of water has been revered as the fountain of youth for thousands of years. The salts are solar dried and the end product is a therapeutic grade salt. They contain 26 essential minerals and moisturizing properties. They have been used in therapeutic hydrotherapy treatments for decades. Dead sea salts are both rejuvenating and relaxing.

Epsom salts are used in treating sore muscles, sprains, strains and bruising. The magnesium sulfate in the salts reacts with lactic acid in sore muscles and joints and alleviate stiffness, soreness and pain

You can use either types of salts in your recipe. Or use equal parts Epsom salts and dead sea salts.

The other ingredients you will need are baking soda, vegetable glycerin, dried herbs, dried herbs, food coloring and essential oils.

You will also need a bowl for mixing, a fork and jars for storing your bath salts.

Choosing Essential Oils

You should always use as high quality of essential oils that you can afford.

The most common and easy to find oils and their uses are;

Lavender- Very calming. Also is anti microbial so is useful for those with skin ailments.

Rose-Romantic and sensuous. Relaxing and calming.

Clary Sage- very relaxing. Do not use while intoxicated!

Chamomile- calming & soothing.

Peppermint- invigorating.

Eucalyptus- useful for those suffering from respiratory ailments. Can also be invigorating.

Sweet orange- Sweet and uplifting.

Ylang Ylang- Relaxing

Sandalwood- Heady and slightly spicy and woody. Very useful for relaxing.

Ginger- Stimulating. Ginger is useful for circulation problems as well as respiratory ailments. Also good for warming the body.

Rosemary- Stimulating yet relaxing.

Suggested Blends & Herbs

Single oils are nice but making your own aromatherapy blends is satisfying and fun! The following are some easy blends to get you started. Once you start using the oils you will get more dept at mixing them and knowing which ones you prefer.

Relaxing- lavender, clary sage

Invigorating- ginger, sweet orange

Stimulating- eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint

Using a mortar and pestle you can add ground herbs to your bath salts for a nice effect. Make sure they are ground well to avoid clogging up your plumbing! Peppermint, lavender, roses, rosemary and chamomile are all nice to use.

Safety

When making your essential oils be sure to always label them. Also keep out of reach of small children or pets. Be sure not to splatter essential oils in the eyes and always mix in a well ventilated area. Also be sure not to get them directly on the skin as they can cause burns. If you have skin allergies you should use essential oils with caution. If you are pregnant or nursing you will want to do some research or contact a qualified aromatherapist, especially during the first trimester.

Mixing

is the fun part! You will need glass jars, a fork and a bowl

The following is a basic recipe. You can modify it as you learn and experiment more in making bath salts.

1 cup salts

1 cup baking soda

2 tbsp. vegetable glycerin

2 tbsp. dried ground herbs

essential oils (20-30 drops per 2 cups of dry ingredients-use less if you have sensitive skin)

food coloring 4 drops (optional)

First you will want to mix your salts together in the bowl. Next add the glycerin. Mix well. Add essential oils and mix again, mashing with the fork. You want to mash the mixture until all of the clumps disappear. Next add your food coloring, mixing well again until they are evenly colored. Store your bath salts in a labeled glass jar away from moisture and direct sunlight.

How to use Your Aromatherapy Bath Salts

Add 2 tablespoons per bath under running water.

Presentation & Storage

You can buy fancy glass bottles or use cellophane or even ziploc bags to store your bath salts. Glass is always preferable when using essential oils, but plastic van be used for short term storage. Baby food and jelly jars are nice to use as you can makes mall batches of different scents! Just divide the above recipe and reduce the essential oils to about 7 per jar. for baby food jars. You can also find small canning jars that will work perfectly too.

Gift Ideas

Aromatherapy bath salts would be a welcome gift by many. You can get really creative with gift giving ideas. They would be nice in sets or in a gift basket with other bath pampering items. Decorative jars with a scoop attached with a ribbon makes a nice touch as well. Get creative! Your gift recipients will appreciate and savor your creation. Be sure to include directions when giving bath salts as gifts.

Homemade aromatherapy bath salts are a wonderful bath product and you can likely find everything you need to make them at your drugstore or local health food store. Get creative and make sure to make extra batches or else be prepared to hide them from your bath loving family members!