The original recipe reads: “This bath helps relax tense, sore muscles yet doesn’t leave you smelling of a medicinal vapor rub. The aroma will soothe frayed nerves, but won’t lull you to sleep. This is not recommended for highly sensitive skin. It will relieve soreness and aches and pains.” My note: This smells fantastic and seems like just the thing to use next time I’m feeling a little achy and have a stuffy nose from a cold. To make this, you’ll need:
2 cups Epsom salt
3/4 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
1 tablespoon juniper berries
2 tablespoons pine needles
1 tablespoon sage leaves
2 tablespoons peppermint leaves
10 drops eucalyptus, peppermint, or juniper essential oil
one 12″ x 12″ square of muslin or cheesecloth, or toe of a stocking (or sock)
ribbon or string
The recipe says to place the dry ingredients in the center of the cloth and add drops of essential oil. Take up the corners of the cloth and tie with a ribbon or string. Tie your herb bag over the faucet to allow warm water to run through, releasing the medicinal properties and filling the air with aromatherapy.
I gathered, then air dried my herbs for two or three days, spread out on a clean dishcloth on my kitchen counter. Next I did an extra step and whirled the herbs together in my mini food processor with about 1/4 cup coarse sea salt until finely ground, then stirred the resulting fragrant mixture into the baking soda and Epsom salts.
Even though the herbs are a finer texture, you still want to tie them up into a bag, so the herb specks won’t make a mess in your tub.
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