DIY All-Natural Bath & Shower Recipes
Few things can compare to a soothing, steamy bath when you're experiencing body aches. A hot shower can be ideal when you're congested, and a long, relaxing soak is just the thing after a stressful day. Adding these all-natural herbal & aromatherapy recipes is not only healing, but gives you the satisfaction of making your own personal care products.
Fizzy Shower Tablets for Congestion
Shower tablets, shower fizzies, shower melts, shower bombs - these little gems go by a number of different names. There are many recipes online for making similar tablets with Vicks Vapor Rub, however, Vicks is a petroleum product and also contains turpentine oil. Further, some have complained that the addition of Vicks rub to bath products can lead to slipperiness of the tub floor.
Add a tablet to the shower floor before entering. As the warm water causes the tablet to dissolve, the aroma of essential oils known to aid in decongesting will fill the air. Breathe a sigh of relief!
YOU'LL NEED: (makes approximately 6 tablets)
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
60 drops eucalyptus oil
Fine-mist sprayer bottle
Silicon ice cube tray or soap mold
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add eucalyptus essential oil (you can also add peppermint oil along with eucalyptus in a combination to yield 60 drops).
3. Add enough water from the spritzer to make the recipe the consistency of wet sand. The mixture should hold together when formed into a small ball. Do not add the water too quickly; this will cause the mixture to foam.
4. Press the mixture into the silicon ice cube tray or soap molds.
5. Store molds uncovered in a cool, dry place until cubes dry and harden (about 2 days). Pop the shower tablets out of the trays or molds.
Calming & Relaxing Bath Tea
In the mood for a long, hot soak after a stressful day? Try this all-natural bath tea with chamomile and lavender for calming, anti-inflammatory calendula, and oats for soothing dry, itchy skin.
YOU'LL NEED:
(makes 4 individual bath teas)
1. 1/2 cup whole lavender flowers
2. 1/2 cup chamomile flowers
3. 1/8 cup calendula petals
4. 1/8 cup rolled oats
5. 5 muslin tea bags
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
2. Fill up tea bags with mixture.
3. To use, float bag in bath water. You can also tie the bag under the faucet to infuse water while filling the tub.
Bath Soak for Body Aches
Overexertion from exercise and other physical activity, arthritis, and influenza are just some of things that can cause body aches and/or muscle cramps - try this bath soak with Epsom salts for body aches, magnesium flakes for muscle cramps, Dead Sea Salt for trace minerals, and lavender flowers for a bit of soothing, aromatic relief.
Did you know? Magnesium deficiency can cause headaches, muscle spasms, leg cramps, heart palpitations, and decreased energy levels. Low magnesium is even associated with post-partum depression!
YOU'LL NEED (makes 4 individual bath soaks):
1. 1/2 cup magnesium chloride flakes
2. 1 cup Epsom salts
3. 3/4 cup Dead Sea Salt
4. 1 tablespoon lavender flowers
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
2. Pour into 1 pint mason jars in a cool, dry place.
3. To use, fill tub half way and add bath soak. Use hand to stir into water and continue filling tub.
Let us know what you think after trying these recipes! They're ideal for gift-giving, too.