March 19, 2016
Essential oils are brilliant for many things but believe it or not, we can add to their virtues by combining them with natural salts for pain relief, mood management, magnesium and trace mineral supplementation. Soaking in a warm salt bath and a lush bath oil blend that includes an emulsifier is a luxurious way to find relief. Why are natural salts so important? They're rich with minerals, including magnesium. Even the healthiest of peeps are deficient in magnesium and trace minerals largely because our naturally magnesium rich food sources are in decline. Magnesium, and other mineral deficiencies can be the culprit of a long list of problems from cellulite to chronic pain so how can we supplement our diet naturally? Incorporating natural salts like Himalayan Pink Salt into our diet rather than table salt, a highly refined seasoning that can contain traces of aluminum and anti-clumping additives {Source} and taking regular salt baths with magnesium rich salts. Because many forms of magnesium can be difficult to absorb orally, the skin becomes the vehicle of choice and a warm bath makes it all so easy and pleasant. Pores open in warm water, the body relaxes and we've set the scene for absorption. Now, is also a wonderful time to introduce essential oils for immediate actions like reducing inflammation, calming the mind, improving circulation, addressing skin conditions like eczema, poison ivy, acne and wound healing. If you're going to use essential oils there's one more very important consideration before sliding down into that wonderfully healing warm water! You must make sure you use an emulsifier to disperse the oils. Essential oils and water do not mix, in fact, EOs will pool on top. The last thing you want is a pool of oils floating against your skin for 20 minutes. To prevent this, add a natural emulsifier.
This is my easy Aches & Pains "bath oil" blend with a built in emulsifier - I recycle clean, empty essential oil bottles for single serving use.
RECIPE ABOVE
Pour salts and emulsified bath oil blend under very warm running water. Himalayan Salt will take a little longer to dissolve, a finer grind will dissolve faster of course!
Soak 20 minutes.
Pure Organic Rosehip Seed Oil works as a skin toner to lift with Vitamin E and Vitamin C for the lips, eyes, body, face, and skin as a botanical collagen cleanser for anti-oxidant vitality. Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil is considered nature's retinol - naturally moisturizes and softens skin, giving it a radiant, and energetic look. I like to use both salts, Himalayan and Magnesium Chloride for a good magnesium + 84 trace minerals boost (thank you Himalayan Salt) but you can substitute epsom salts as well. Here's an explanation of the differences in a nutshell... Magnesium salts (technically called Magnesium Chloride), is the compound you find in all Magnesium supplements and it has a different molecular structure than Epsom salts. The molecular structure of Magnesium Chloride is much more easily absorbed into the body than that of Epsom salt. Epsom salt is actually a form of Magnesium. Its compound name is Magnesium Sulfate and looks a lot like salt! Magnesium Sulfate is used to treat all sorts of health issues ranging from strained, sore muscles to mental well-being.
Kid Friendly Option - reduce everything by 50% - reduce essential oils to 6 drops total, emulsify in 1 cup MILK to reduce slipping and sliding - reduce salts to 1/2 cup each. Word of Caution: Using any kind of carrier oil in the bath can create a slippery situation! Use extra caution when stepping into or out of the bath.
Pain Relieving Essential Oils: