5 Ways to use Bath Salts without putting a toe near a tub

At the mention of bath salts, I find you generally get one of three responses...

Ooooh bath salts!!! I love baths!!! 

Awww I love baths but I don't have one :(

Ugh baths, can't stand them! 

But you know, there are so many other ways you can enjoy bath salts without even putting your big toe near a bath tub! So go on and indulge, don't deny yourself a moment longer. 

As a steam bath:

Now as we head towards winter, cold season is on its way! Blocked noses and stuffy sinuses are exhausting and have such a big impact on your day to day life. It's hard to sleep because you can't breathe, you get dehydrated, and possibly worst of all you can't taste anything! 

Don't suffer through that. Boil some water and pour it into a bowl. Add a couple of tablespoons of bath salts into the boiling water and place your head over the bowl. Breathe the steam in deeply with a towel over your head to clear your sinus.

As a shower scrub:

Yep. You read it correctly. Bet you never thought of that huh? It doesn't matter what your opinion of the bath is, you can enjoy your bath salts in the shower daily by creating a shower scrub. I have two favourite ways.

1. The quick and easy way is to take a handful of our Bath and Foot Salts and rub them directly into your skin, concentrating on areas that are sore or tender to ease the aches and reduce any bruising while moisturising the skin. Or rub the salts all over to exfoliate and soften the skin.
2. Create a shower scrub by taking a cup of our Bath and Foot Salts and mix them with 1/3 cup oil (olive oil or melted coconut oil), and 1 tablespoon of jojoba or vitamin E oil (just pierce two capsules). Mix all the ingredients together until combined then apply in the shower to wet skin, rubbing all over before rinsing off.

As a compress:

Help to ease your bruises by dissolving one scoop of bath salts in warm water, then taking a washcloth and soaking it in the salty solution, creating a compress, before applying to the bruised area. Repeat regularly for maximum effect.

As a foot soak:

Dr Abbie Acupuncture recommends doing this as the last thing before sleep, sitting on the edge of your bed with your feet in the basin, with water covering your ankles. Abbie says "The idea is to pull all the hot energy or ‘qi’ down from the mind/‘shen’ to the feet in order to relax and calm ready for sleep. It also boosts the kidney element which begins under the foot, and pertains to vitality and calm...Best use of this time is to do breathing exercises, meditation, listening to calm music, or reading a non-engaging book (the idea is to be relaxed, not stimulated). Remove your feet from the bucket, towel dry, put on socks, and if possible, try not to let your feet touch the ground before bed."

There are many benefits to using bath salts in a foot soak. The magnesium is absorbed transdermally, so whether you drop your whole body into a bath or just your tootsies into a basin, you are still receiving the benefits. (You can read more about the benefits of Epsom Salts here) A foot bath is great if you want to target any foot issues such as dry cracked heels, treat toenail infections or athlete's foot, foot odour or ease the symptoms of gout. It helps ease tired, aching feet and soothes pains. 

To create a foot bath, get yourself a large bowl or basin (I use a large metal bowl from IKEA or a large plastic rectangular tub that doubles as my laundry basin)  Fill with enough warm water to submerge yourself at least past the ankles. Add 1/2 cup of your favourite bath salts, and if you are particularly stressed or lacking sleep, add an extra handful of epsom salts. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. Dry your feet thoroughly with a towel.

Photo credit: Radiant Sol Yoga

As a hand soak:

We use our hands constantly, all day long. Yet never give them attention let alone notice them unless we are rubbing a bit of hand cream into them or getting our nails done. It's only when I use our Rose Hand Scrub that I realise how aching and tired my hands are. To take the Rose Hand Scrub into utter indulgence, try soaking your hands in bath salts first, to really provide a boost of magnesium and soften the skin before gently scrubbing away any excess dryness or calluses. My favourite way is to add 1/2 cup of Rose and Pomegranate Bath and Foot Salts to a basin of warm water, swishing to dissolve the salts then immersing my hands into the water, leaving them there to soak for 10 minutes. I like to do this sitting on the couch with the bowl in front of me, it's the most comfortable way. The salts ease aches and pains, soften the skin, whilst the whole process eases the mind and puts a smile on your face. Pat your hands dry then gently massage your hands with the Rose and Hand Scrub. Heaven! 

Photo credit: Sarah Hopkins

This past weekend, Freya's Nourishment was delighted to be part of Urban Retreat created by Radiant Sol Yoga in Port Melbourne. Attendees were treated to a beautiful day of yoga and all things wellness, including nutrition, aromatherapy blending, creativity workshop....and a pampering session by me. The ladies got to sit back and have either their feet soaking in our beautiful bath salts, or some chose to have a hand bath followed by a scrub with the Rose Hand Scrub. The sentiment was echoed by all, we don't take the time out enough to do a little pampering. It was so lovely to see something as small as bath salts can have such an impact. 

Photo credit: Radiant Sol Yoga

No matter how you use your bath salts, to get the most benefits from them wash with soap prior to using the bath salts. When you have finished soaking, rinse the bath salts from your skin only, in order for the beneficial oils and salts to continue working.