Make Bath Salts to Use for Congestion in Baths or Showers

Edited by Jerry Rivers, Eng, Lynn, Ermin and 7 others

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Therapeutic salt baths are one of the most soothing and relaxing things you can do for yourself when you're experiencing a common cold or congestion. The practice of combining salts and essential oils with hot water can help stimulate circulation and lymph drainage, soothe sore muscles, open up your sinuses and soften your skin. You'll likely begin feeling instant relief as soon as you step into the bathtub. By blending your own bath salts, you can reduce your exposure to chemicals often found in retail bath salts, and you can customize the scent by trying different essential oils. Try one of these simple recipes that will leave you feeling much better after a long, relaxing soak.

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Cold and Congestion Bath Salts

This bath salt recipe combines 4 essential oils that will help rejuvenate your body, open up the sinuses and help clear any congestion. The Epsom salt can help soothe cold-stricken sore muscles and the baking soda will soothe your skin. Soak for at least 20 minutes for maximum benefits.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups Epsom salt
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 4 drops eucalyptus oil
  • 4 drops orange oil
  • 6 drops lavender oil
  • 6 drops tea tree oil
  • Bowl
  • Spoon

Steps

  1. 1
    Mix the Epsom salts and baking soda together in a bowl with a spoon
    .
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  2. 2
    Add the oils to the bowl
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    Stir them into the baking soda and salt mixture until well incorporated.
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  3. 3
    Take your usual bath or shower before this therapeutic bath so that your body is clean.
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  4. 4
    Add warm water into your tub that is at a comforting temperature
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    If you have a fever, use lukewarm water.
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  5. 5
    Fill the tub with water and add the bath salt mixture
    .
    Stir it around until it's completely dissolved.
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Sinus-Clearing Bath Salts

This bath salt blend contains 2 essential oils, peppermint and eucalyptus. These oils are perfect for relieving a headache and sinus congestion, plus the addition of Epsom salts can soothe sore muscles. To get the most benefits, relax in the bath for at least 20 minutes and breathe deeply.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup Epsom salt
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup kosher salt or coarse sea salt
  • 10 drops peppermint oil
  • 10 drops eucalyptus oil
  • Jar with a lid
  • Spoon

Steps

  1. 1
    Mix the Epsom salt, kosher salt and baking soda together in a jar with a spoon
    .
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  2. 2
    Add the peppermint and eucalyptus oil and stir well
    .
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  3. 3
    Fill the tub with water and add at least 1 cup of the mixture to the water
    .
    Stir it around until it's completely dissolved.
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  4. 4
    Store the remaining bath salts in the jar with the lid closed in a cool, dry place
    .
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Rest and Relaxation Bath Salts

This salt blends contains sandalwood and lavender which promote rest and relaxation, while clary sage helps open up the sinuses to clear congestion.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup Epsom salt
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup coarse sea salt
  • 10 drops sandalwood oil
  • 10 drops lavender oil
  • 10 drops clary sage oil
  • Jar with a lid
  • Spoon

Steps

  1. 1
    Combine the salts and baking soda together in a jar and stir with a spoon
    .
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  • 2
    Add the oils and combine the mixture.
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  • 3
    Use at least 2 tablespoons for each bath, and stir it in the water until it's fully dissolved
    .
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  • 4
    Store the bath salts with the lid tightly closed.
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  • Tips and Warnings

    • Avoid taking baths in water that's above 110 degrees F for more than 10 minutes. If you start feeling lightheaded or dizzy, add cool water or get out of the bath carefully and drink some water.
    • Avoid taking super hot baths during pregnancy. Very hot baths can raise your core body temperature which can be harmful for a developing baby. Avoid water temperatures over 102 degrees F.
    • Use the organic form of these oils if possible for maximum efficacy.
    • Orange oil is an option only if you will not be exposed to the sun for the next several hours. Therefore, it is recommended to add for your nighttime therapy bath.

    Benefits of Therapeutic Salt Baths

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    Salt baths have been used for healing throughout Asia and the Roman Empire for thousands of years. They're particularly beneficial for clearing congestion and relieving aches and pains due to the common cold. When combined with essential oils, they become healing powerhouses that often provide hours of relief from annoying cold symptoms. Epsom salts are naturally occurring minerals that are not actually salt at all, but instead, composed of magnesium sulfate. They've been used for hundreds of years to promote relaxation, reduce inflammation, soothe sore muscles, eliminate the body's toxins, balance the body's electrolytes and even improve blood circulation. This is because magnesium sulfate is easily absorbed through the skin. Kosher and sea salts are also good choices for a salt bath and provide some minerals, especially if they're minimally processed. Adding baking soda to a bath can soothe the skin, and it's thought to promote elimination of harmful toxins in the body.

    Essential oils in the bath are delightful to the senses, and they promote relaxation or rejuvenation, depending on the particular blend chosen. Some oils, such as eucalyptus, tea tree and peppermint, are excellent for opening up the sinuses and relieving headaches. Lavender is commonly used to promote restful sleep. Try mixing different blends depending on your needs, such as lavender and rose for calming, lavender and bergamot for relaxation and sleep, or orange, clove, cedarwood and lemon for energy and stress relief. The possibilities are endless.

    Questions and Answers

    Is 110 degree water and epsom salt OK?

    110 degree water is OK as you gradually increase the temperature over a period of time

    Epsom salt baths are often recommended for people with arthritis and rheumatism. There is a procedure on when to increase the warm temperature of water to 110 degrees. You have to start with six to eight inches of water into the tub at 102 degrees. Gradually increase up to 106 degrees. When you immerse yourself into the tub, add hot water to make the temperature even. Then, increase the temperature up to 108 degrees by adding hot water into your tub to cover your back and to completely soak yourself in. If you are trying to soothe a chronic pain, you can gradually raise the temperature up to 110-112 degrees, as you take the epsom salt bath over a period of time.

    In other words, . You should start with a lower temperature and gradually increase to 112 degrees to relieve a chronic pain, like in rheumatism and arthritis. Although 110 degrees is warm temperature, it is not OK to start with 110 degrees at once in Epsom salt baths, because there is a possibility your body may react negatively, especially in people with issues like cardiovascular diseases.

    Epsom salt baths are not recommended for people with high-blood pressure. Always consult your doctor and ask about any self-treatments. Also, use a thermometer when checking the water's temperature, in order to avoid a hot temperature (120-130 degrees Fahrenheit).

    No, if the water is above 102 degrees you will be limiting the absorption of the Epsom salt solution which is called magnesium nitrate which is absorbed into the skin to help relieve your muscle aches or etc. By having it higher than 102 you will be slowing down the process of absorption.

    What is the best epsom salt bath to relieve congestion and for rest?

    In regards to this question it seems that you are asking about what is the best way to create this bath.

    First you will need to in fact fill your tub up with warm to hot water.

    Second you will need to add some Epsom Salt to your bath

    Third wait about five minutes for your salt to mix with your water

    Fourth get into your tub and allow yourself to sit for about 20 minutes in the tub to soak in the water solution

    Bath lavender congestion?

    Surely you will need some lavender as main ingredients in your salt bath for treating a congestion of cold. But except the lavender you will also need some other ingredients to be able to create your salt bath.

    How to make shower salts?

    You can simply use your plain sea salt from the kitchen and rub it directly on your damp skin. Lather it all throughout and wait for about 5 minutes before you rinse it off. This is best done after your first wash with the soap. Afterwards, there is no need to soap again. Sea salt will not leave any weird smell on your skin.

    If you would like a bit of moisturization at the same time, you may want to mix sea salt, sugar, and milk. Later this on your skin and leave for about 10 minutes. The salt and sugar will help scrub the dead skin cells while the milk will moisturize your skin.

    Epsom salt bath for chest congestion?

    Epsom salt bath is one of the most soothing and beneficial bath that cleanses the body and commonly used for chest congestion (Acute bronchitis). Congested chest is a symptom that often indicate upper respiratory tract infections such as bacteria, viruses or allergens causing the mucosal layer of the throat to swell and produces more mucus secretions. The rationale behind the effectiveness of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) bath for chest congestion is that the magnesium sulfate (which is an active ingredient of Epsom salt) is easily absorb by the skin and has a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, Epsom salt replenishes the magnesium supply in the body, draws harmful chemicals in the body, relaxes the muscles and reduces the swelling which makes Epsom salt perfect in relieving muscle pain, relieving colds and for management in chest congestion. To use, simply put 1 cup Epsom salt in the warm bath tub and immerse your body in the water for about 20 minutes. The warm bath effectively loosen mucus secretions, enhances blood circulation and the Epsom salt effectively reduces chest pain and chest congestion.

    What is the purpose of the baking soda?

    What is the purpose of the baking soda?

    Baking soda can soften and soothe dry skin, and many cultures believe that it promotes elimination of toxins in the body through the skin.

    What kind of bath salts can I make to cure sinus congestion?

    Is there a specific recipe to make a bath or shower salts for sinus problems and if so, is it better to take a shower rather than a bath?. I have tried: Over the counter sinus pain remedies and steaming myself in the shower to get relief from the sinus pain. I think it was caused by: A lingering sinus infection has been plaguing me for years

    You can scoop the Epsom Salt Oil into the bottom of the shower floor and as the water hits the salts, they will break down and the scented steam will rise.

    Suitable bath salts for someone with bronchiectasis acute sinusitis?

    Hi there, my wife has bronchiectasis acute sinusitis, a cause of infections and we were looking at bath salts, with anti-inflammatory properties that would be suitable. Can't find anything that seems applicable to this condition

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    Categories : Beauty & Aesthetics

    Recent edits by: Maria Quinney, Donna, Patricia Mapenzi

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