Lavender Oil & Epsom Salt Bath
Aug 13th, 2009 | By Jennifer Iannolo | Category: Everyday Indulgences, Wellness | Comments | 5 Comments
I find that nothing relieves stress better than a hot bath, and was so happy to move into my new apartment because the old one didn’t have a tub! We had a gorgeous multi-jet shower (we nicknamed it the “Porn Shower”), but oh, how I longed to soak my weary self on many an occasion.
Back in the day when I could afford massages regularly, my darling of a masseur used to recommend that I take a hot bath with lavender oil, epsom salts and buttermilk afterward to help soothe the aftermath of lactic acid. I’m not sure what exactly the combination does, but it always left me feeling rejuvenated, and I rarely suffered from the soreness typical of deep-tissue massages. And though I now have to skip the massage part of that joyful experience (boo!), I am still a huge fan of the bath combo.
Simply take a few teaspoons of buttermilk (you can also used powdered milk for this — it works just as well), 1/2 cup of epsom salts and a drizzle of lavender essential oil. Fill that tub with hot water, close your eyes, and let the stress disappear.
P.S. I’ve now also seen lavender epsom salts available in drug stores, so if you can’t find or afford the real essential oil, this does work as a decent substitute, but will not afford you the true benefits of the essential oil. You can find the oil at Sun’s Eye, where I get mine.
Ah, yes, a long hot bath (with a good book!) is really perfect for relieving stress. I must prepare this wonderful combination for my husband who so needs it.
Jamie, it is heaven on earth. I need some right now, in fact!
Soaking in Epsom salt 2 – 3 times a week just for the stress relief and muscle tension. I found some wonderfully fragrant Epsom salt at Bed Bath & Beyond – cant wait to get home tonight!
[...] a lavender bath that will fill the house with a soothing [...]
can I soak in bath salts everyday?
how much soaking is over-doing it?
and what are the problems of over-doing it?