by Tash 2 Comments
Nothing’s better than taking a long languorous soak in a bath on a dark dreary day like today. The rain is falling outside, the air smells fresh, and the mood is slow and sleepy. It’s days like this I love soaking, doing some gentle yoga, and meditation. It’s also the perfect opportunity to care for my skin, hair, and nails.
Winter is also a time for pulling back into oneself, for deep reflection, and self-growth. I think for most people, this is expressed through physical exertion (like hitting the gym), but I tend to try and hold onto these slow, restful, meandering days by keeping relaxation a priority.
One of my favorite ways to relax lately has been creating different bath salt blends infused with essential oils. I usually make these in small batches so that I can change up the oils for what I need that day whether that be more energy, stress relief, or relaxation.
Lately, it’s been the need for detox and the release of both physical and emotional toxicity and I’ve been able to create a bath blend that does just that!
There are two main types of salt you can use for this recipe – Epsom salts and pink Himalayan salt – both of which are known to be excellent detoxifiers.
Epsom salt contains a lot of magnesium which is perfect for loosening tense muscles and soothing aches and pains. In fact, most people are deficient in magnesium; an essential mineral that supports the body’s elimination pathways. Having low levels of magnesium leads to built-up toxins, constipation, sluggishness in the liver, fatigue, and elevated stress levels. The good news is, magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin making it easier to top up your levels.
Epsom salts are super easy to find in the pharmacy section at the store and it’s also pretty cheap.
Himalayan salt is chock-full of trace minerals that deeply nourish the skin. These minerals produce negative ions which latch onto impurities and pull them through the skin. Himalayan salt also boasts some impressive anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties which is great for accelerating the healing of acne and other skin ailments.
Himalayan salt can be found in most health food stores and is generally a little more expensive than Epsom salts. I tend to get mine on amazon for a better deal.
Using these two salts can:
• Beautify
the skin
• Heal and reduce acne
• Improve sleep
•
Improve the skin’s hydration level
• Increase healthy
circulation
• Promote relaxation
• Reduce water
retention
• Soothe aches and pains
Soaking in these salts will open the pores, draw out impurities, plump and hydrate the skin, and nourish the body with minerals.
The essential oils in this recipe help stimulate the liver, colon, kidneys, and lymphatic system to release toxins so that they can be eliminated from the body.
Here’s what you’ll need:
•
1
cup Epsom
salts
•
½ cup Himalayan
salt
•
4 drops lemongrass
essential oil
•
3 drops palmarosa
essential oil
•
2 drops cypress
essential oil
•
2 drops juniper
berry essential oil
•
2 from helichrysum
essential oil
•
2 drops rosemary
essential oil
•
¼ cup carrier oil (optional)
• If
you’re adding a carrier oil to the salt blend, begin by adding it
to a large bowl.
• Next add in the essential oils and mix
thoroughly.
• Now add in the salt and mix well to combine.
• If you’re not using a carrier oil, simply add the salts to a mixing bowl and then add each essential oil one by one, mixing as you go.
This recipe is enough for one super detoxifying bath. You can half the recipe if you want a gentler detox.
To Use
Run a bath and place the salts under the running faucet to disperse them evenly. While you wait for the bath to fill, pour yourself a huge glass of cold lemon water to help release toxins but also keep you hydrated.
Soak for 20-40 minutes for best results. You may notice an increase in sweat and this is part of the detox taking place. Keep sipping your huge glass of lemon water and allow the toxins to leave the skin.
After your bath is finished, you may notice that your body feels very tired so be careful when getting out of the tub. Take time after your bath to rest and relax and continue to drink lemon water to help your body eliminate toxins. I typically drink a huge glass of water while in the tub and then another after I get out, but do what feels best for your body.
Repeat this routine once a week.
What has been your favorite detoxifying bath salt recipe? Please let me know in the comments!