If you’re anything like me, you strive to live life to the fullest. Whether we completely understand all its inherent mystery, life is a thrilling adventure.

So many of us work hard, whether it is taking care of our families, in our jobs, doing charity work, athletic pursuits and so much more. With our New England winters, I find that I am outdoors more in summer and more active and that sometimes means sore muscles and a bit of general overwhelm.

My sanctuary lately has been my bathtub! Part of it is just setting aside ‘me time’ and knowing that everyone else is taken care of so I can truly relax and unplug – and then there are the oils!

Essential oils have truly transformed my bath into a spalike experience at home. Making my own bath salts is so economical and I get to experiment and choose the combination that best fits my needs and desires in the moment.

Last holiday season, I made scrubs and bath salts for my friends as gifts and I’d love to show you my recipe because it’s really quite easy and fun!

Bath salts soothe the mind, body and spirit and are wonderful for pampering. I remember when I was younger, my Dad would advise going swimming in salt water for small scrapes. Truth be told, it really did make my cuts heal faster!

I’m going to show you the recipe for one jar of salts, but, you can easily multiply the ingredients depending on your needs or wishes. I use Epsom salts (rich in Magnesium), Pink Himalayan Salts and Essential Oils. Feel free to use Dead Sea Salts instead of Pink Himalayan. Since I don’t like any artificial colors, fragrances or ingredients,  I love the color that the Pink adds naturally!

 

PEPPERMINT EUCALYPTUS SOOTHING SALTS

1/2 cup Epsom Salts

1/2 cup Pink Himalayan Salts

8-10 drops Earth Elements Peppermint Essential Oil

8-10 drops Earth Elements Eucalyptus Essential Oil

I start by combining the salts in a bowl and adding my oils. You can then use a whisk, spoon or even fork to make sure the ingredients are all mixed in.

Since I have the Pink Salts, it is already a beautiful natural color. I then place them in an

airtight glass jar with a hand-made label or tie and voila! Perfect for your sink or tub or as a gift!

PS: Your guy will love these too as a bath or foot soak after a long day!

Other Suggestions

Customize your mixture according to your preferences.

For a soothing bath use chamomile and lavender.

Peppermint is invigorating while rosemary and eucalyptus can help tonify and balance.

Grapefruit is rejuvenating and uplifting.

Mix and match to your heart’s desire! Add some dried mint if you have any around!

You can also layer the salts with different colors or make different colored jars. I recommend only using natural coloring though because whatever you put on your skin goes into your body.

Here are some natural ideas for colors. You simply blend or juice them (or with the red cabbage boil it,) then reduce the juice in a pan. Add just a hint of color when you mix or whisk your salts.

Color Ideas

For Red: Beet or Pomegranate juice, Fresh or frozen raspberry juice

For Yellow: ground turmeric or saffron, mango juice

For Green: matcha powder or parsley juice

For Orange: carrot juice, paprika 

For Purple/Blue: red cabbage juice, frozen blueberry juice, blackberries

For Brown: coffee powder, cocoa

Feel free to add dried flowers or herbs to your blends, but, make sure they are organic, pure or from your own garden. Also, you want the flowers/herbs to be fully dried adding no moisture.

Consult your physician before using essential oils if you have high blood pressure, are pregnant, or have other medical concerns. Not for use for babies or young children.