Spa bathing has been used to soothe the body and mind for thousands of years. Ancient Romans used intricate plumbing systems to pipe and heat the mineral waters of places life Bath, England, so they could physically rejuvenate and relax from stressors of life. Whether it is occasional body pain from strain or overwork, or a chronic condition such as back pain or fibromyalgia, soaking, steaming and showering can be a soothing remedy.
An Oasis at Home
Fortunately, you don't need to travel to a health spa to enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy. Turn your bathroom into a healing oasis with a few simple things: hot water and magnesium chloride, also known as Epsom salts. The next time you're feeling strained, draw a bath and add 2 cups of Epsom salts; for extra therapeutic affects add, into the Epsom salts, a few drops of an essential oil blend like Wintergreen, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Camphor, and German Chamomile and stir into the water. I also like to add 1 cup of baking soda as it is alkalizing and leaves the skin soft. Hot water raises the body temperature slightly and induces a healthy sweat. It is very relaxing and analgesic to sore, tired muscles and joints.
Natural thermal mineral water contains important minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, and a 20-min soak soothe inflammatory pathways that are linked to pain response. It has been shown that daily mineral soaks provided clear therapeutic benefit for several musculoskeletal diseases.
As a general rule, Ayurveda recommends using warm or hot water for the body and cool for the head. Heat applied to the head is said to be bad for the eyes and hair.
DIY Fizz Bath Balm
If you're up for making your own fizz bath balm, try this recipe by Nadine Artemis
- 1 cup Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- 2 cups baking soda
- 20 drops bergamont essential oil
- 10 drops ylang essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 tablespoon organic jojoba, olive, or coconut oil
- 1 spritz bottle of pure water
- Molds for the balms: muffin tins or silicone ice-cube trays
Instructions:
- Thoroughly mix together ascorbic acid and baking soda
- Add the essential oils to the tablespoon carrier oil. Add this combo to the bowl, and mix together quickly before the mixture starts to fizz.
- Spray water onto the mixture a mist at a time and continue mixing. Achieve a consistency where the combination is still crumbly yet able to hold its shape when when pressed into the palm of your hand. Pack the mix firmly into the molds.
- Allow the balms to dry for a couple of hours in a warm, dry place, away from sunlight.
- Enjoy within 1 month for a full fizz effect. They will not go rancid, only lose their fizz.
