How to Make Aromatherapy Bath Salts for a Dreamy Soak in the Tub (Bath Recipe!)

Luxury bath salt concoctions can cost $20 and up for only one or two bath's worth of substance.  When you're finished with this tutorial, you'll never buy them again!  Not only are they overpriced, but most can't compare to the simple, natural formulas you can customize for your personal needs at home.

Taking a warm, soothing bath at the end of a long, stressful day is a relief, and a serene escape.  The warmth and water can loosen tense, achy muscles, and the experience can bring emotional comfort.  As wonderful as it is already, your bath can always be better.  Adding aromatherapy, essential oils, and healing bath salts (along with candles and soft music!) are just the ticket to creating a zen-like, at-home spa retreat.  Use the following bath recipe to create your perfect, luxury bathing experience.

But first, here's some background on the ingredients and what they can do for you.

Use Epsom Salt

If you've played or swam in the ocean, you know that sea water can heal scrapes and bruises, and even minor infections rapidly.  Soaking in an epsom salt bath is just like bathing in a heated sea, and it has all the same benefits.  It aids in detoxification, preventing migraines, elevating mood and relieving stress, and it can serve as an antinflammatory, which reduces pain in muscles and infections, among many other benefits.  This is truly a mend-all, heal-all, miracle substance, and you'd be showing your body the highest level of care to bathe yourself in it.

and Sea Salt

Sea salt has many healing properties as well, but the quality of what you use is key.  Sea salt has many beneficial minerals which table salt lacks - because table salt is so highly processed.  The quality of sea salt, and the minerals it contains, depend on the region of the world - or the sea, if you will - from which it is collected.  Based on that, it's commonly held that Dead Sea salts are of the highest quality, while Celtic Sea salts are also of exquisite quality.  So, if you can, try to obtain raw versions of one of these two sea salts for your baths.

and Baking Soda

Baking soda is such a simple ingredient, but such a wonderful one.  It not only cleanses, heals and hydrates the skin, but it can help extract illnesses from your body by drawing out toxins.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are used for aromatherapy, and can benefit you in a large number of ways based on the scents you select.  For a great list of oils and how they can effect your mood and health, explore this list from aromatherapypoint.com.  I highly recommend lavender for relaxation, citrus scents for energy (morning baths), and Eucalyptus for soothing colds, the flu, and other respiratory ailments.

Water Temperature
The purpose of your bath, beyond relaxation, should determine the temperature at which you draw it. Hot water is best at drawing subsances out of the body, so baths for detoxification or illness (with exceptions) should be hot. On the other hand, lukewarm water is ideal for baths in which you want to best absorb the minerals in the salts, and other contents of the bath. Your skin absorbs substances best in water of about 100 degrees farenheight. Of course, your body will still absorb some of the minerals and other goodies if you prefer your bath nice and toasty like I do! (Who wants to take a lukewarm bath?!)

And now, for the bath recipe!

What you'll need:

Makes 3 baths worth, 2 cups per bath (3 cups for larger soaking tubs, in which case, this recipe makes enough for 2 baths.)

• 4 cups of Epsom Salt
• 1 cup of Sea Salt
• 1 cup of Baking Soda
• 30 drops of Essential Oil (one or more fragrances mixed if you like)

Optional Ingredients

To give your bath salts some prettiness and character, and to create a true at-home spa experience, you'll want to add the following ingredients too.

• 10 drops of Food Coloring (mix primary colors for tranquil purple or energizing orange)
• 1/4 cup of Dried Flowers, Leaves, or Herbs - Dried rose petals are my favorite!
• 1 cup of Powdered Oatmeal - Process 1 cup of oatmeal in a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder to change it to powdered form (for skin softening and moisture).
• 1 tbsp Glycerine - also for skin softening and moisture

Mix all of your ingredients using metal or glass tools and containers.  Wood, plastics, and other materials are porous and will absorb the ingredients!  You should also use glass or metal containers to store your salts once they are mixed. 

I put a lump of this rosepetal salt creation in a martini glass for a pretty tub-side display.

Pour 2 cups of the mixture under running bath water (3 cups for an extra large tub).

Light candles to surround your tub (unscented, to enjoy the aromatherapy of your bath salts)

Set a laptop, or your audio player of choice on the bathroom counter (away from the water!) and play some soft, relaxing, spa music.  I'll be presenting an amazing playlist for a relaxing bath retreat in my next post, so stay 'tuned'!

And voila!  There you have it: a customized, beautiful, peaceful, perfect bath experience, just for you.

* Some essential oils can be harmful to your health, expecially during pregnancy.  Please research essential oils before using them in your baths.