Why Detox Body with Bath Salts?
Who doesn’t feel a little overwhelmed and exhausted around this time of the year? Cool weather, the holiday season with lots of socializing, coupled with plenty of unhealthy, rich food and booze.
Your gift sends the message that you want the recipient to be pampered in a luxurious, rejuvenating, hot bath. We all need the nurturing of a comforting and tranquil hot bath. Your family, friends and even work associates would appreciate this kind of a hot bath too. This touching gift will be used, appreciated and remembered.
Additionally, in a practical sense, bath salts mixed and placed in a glass jar; wrapped with a ribbon; attached printed gift label, sends the message: Quality. They don’t have to know that the costs are amazingly reasonable, depending on the mixture you select.
According to Certified Ayurvedic practitioner, Avani Sukhadia:
“Hydrotherapy has been used for centuries to clean out the body of toxins.” (During the holiday season) The ama (toxins) builds up from rich food…this is followed by lowered immunity, due to the clogged strotas, channels of the body. Taking a detoxifying bath cleans us out and we feel lighter. We raise internal agni, sweat out impurities, clear sinuses and mucus congestion. This purification makes us less susceptible to flu germs. Mentally and psychologically, the warmth cocoons us and we feel less stressed and anxious. Vata can create excessive thinking and worry… A bath is the perfect escape where you can think more clearly, or better yet, quiet the mind completely. Warm water acts as a sedative to the nervous system. By adding aromatherapy, the calming vapors penetrate the skin and balance brain activity.”1
What is Bath Salt?
‘The minerals inside a high-quality bath salt promote healthy, more youthful skin. When you use a high quality bath salt, you’ll find your skin will feel smoother and softer after your bath. Bath salt also helps purge impurities from your skin, resulting in a clean, radiant glow.
Sea salt is packed with minerals and nutrients – so when sea salt is used in the tub in the form of bath salt, it delivers amazing benefits. Bathing with bath salt is a wonderful way to relax, and the benefits reach far beyond the skin’s surface: a high quality bath salt is believed to lower blood pressure, treat conditions such as arthritis and muscle soreness, and has powerful detoxifying properties.’2
Recipes to Mix Bath Salts at Home
You’ll need ingredients
- 100% natural course sea salt
- Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) soothes sore muscles, stiff joints and increases alkalinity
- Aromatherapy or essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, rose, ylang ylang, etc)
- Natural plant powder(s) and/or fresh herbs in fine mesh or cheesecloth bag: rose petal powder, cinnamon, lavender, etc.
Supplies
- funnel (for adding salt and powders to jars) • plastic zipper bag (gallon) • mixing bowl • whisk • fork • air-tight container (small glass jar or small mason jar with lid) • ribbon and label for gift-giving •
Set the stage for indulgence
- Before bathing, self-massage body with warm massage oil to increase circulation and blood flow.
- If desired, try a scalp massage#.
- Add soft candles and soothing music.
Prepare cucumber slices, tea bags or cotton eye pads soaked in rosewater. Use on closed eyes while bathing.
Rose Petal Powder Bath Salts
2 cups Epsom salts
1 cup coarse sea salt
1 cup baking soda
½ cup rose petal powder
7-10 drops aromatherapy or essential oils
Optional: 2 tablespoons almond oil for added moisture (add to bath tub when filling)
Mix all salts and rose petal powder together in bowl; then place in plastic bag. Mix in the oils and keep mixture clump-free. Using funnel, store; then seal in jars.
Cinnamon Bath Salts
2 cups Epsom salts
1-cup coarse sea salt
1-cup baking soda
3 tablespoons cinnamon powder
1-tablespoon ground ginger (optional)
7-10 drops aromatherapy or essential oils
Mix all salts and cinnamon powder together in bowl; then place in plastic bag. Mix in the oils and keep mixture clump-free. Using funnel, store; then seal in jars.
When ready to use:
Pour ¼ cup of this mixture into a bathtub while filling with hot water. Relax and soak for 30-40 minutes or more if desired.
Certified Ayurvedic practitioner, Avani Sukhadia, also adds the following for a truly luxurious hot bath: When filling tub, add milk and honey to your basic bath salt mix, along with 7-10 more drops of your favorite aromatherapy oil (mix into salts or milk).
How to Use Bath Salts in Hot Bath
For a bath, fill the tub about halfway to the desired level. Test water* to make sure it’s hot -but not so intensely hot that it can cause burning. Take a handful of the bath salts mix and pour it into the bath by holding your hand under the faucet, allowing the bath salts to fall with the water into the tub. While pouring the bath salts into the bath, their fragrance will be released into the steam, allowing for a very fragrant bath. Depending on their size, bath salts will dissolve quickly once in contact with hot water. Once you have poured one to two handfuls of bath salts into your bath, you’re ready to relax! Be sure to stir the bath salts into the water and circulate them well, so the fragrances are released into the steam.
After bathing: Be sure to drink plenty of water after your detoxification bath. Get comfy in your favorite pajamas, climb in bed and enjoy the best night’s sleep ever.
*Those with heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammations and other medical conditions should consult their primary care physician before taking hot baths.
#Basic scalp massage instructions.
1Ayurveda Knowledge Center
2The Ultimate Bath Salt Guide (by The San Francisco Salt Company)
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