DIY or Buy: 10 Healing and Detoxing Baths for those with Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain

Enjoying a warm bath!

A bath of warm water on it’s own is very healing and can help reduce pain.  Warm water temporarily increases blood flow and can help ease stress as well. Did you know that there are natural herbs, minerals, and essential oils that you can add to your bath that promote healing, wellness, and decrease pain? Here are ten of them!




 

Epson Salts

Epsom salt is a combination of magnesium and sulfates. There are many benefits of Epsom salt baths. Soaking in a bath of Epsom salt can relax your muscles, reduce inflammation, minimize pain, fade bruising, aid digestion, relieve stress and tension, and detoxify your body.



Lavender

This is one of the most common herbs used in herbal baths. It is used to fight depression and relieve tension and stress. Lavender’s name is derived from the Latin verb “to wash.” Romans and Greeks used the herb for its fresh aroma
which has both an uplifting and balancing effect.



Turmeric Bath

This antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory spice is not just popular in India. In Japan, they’ve learned that turmeric helps with arthritis by soothing joints  and it’s even been shown to promote weight loss. Just add a half-cup of turmeric to a warm bath.



Baking Soda

This alkalinizing and detoxifying bath can help calm allergic reactions, chicken pox, eczema, hives, itchy skin, insect bites, poison ivy, sunburn, and fungal infections. There are two methods of making a baking soda bath which are very popular , one involves purely baking soda itself and the other involves mixing the soda with sea salt. 

If you are using just baking soda then start running the hot water first then after a couple of minutes add about
3 pounds worth of baking soda to the water. I find it’s better to do it this way as it dilutes into the water better.
The alternative is to mix about 2 pounds of sea salt with 2 pounds of baking soda , again adding the water first.

Oatmeal

Because oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, it can soothe the inflammation that results from your body’s reaction to allergens. Oatmeal baths are also a popular remedy for sunburns, dry skin and conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Itchy, dry skin often has a high pH level, but oatmeal can help normalize your skin’s pH, which can relieve itchy, uncomfortable skin. Oatmeal baths also soften and moisturize your skin, which helps lock in moisture and protect skin from exterior irritants

Apple Cider Vinegar

 This helps relieve sore muscles, itchy skin, and sunburn. Vinegar helps draw pollutants out of the body. It is an acid medium and contains alpha hydroxy acids. It is also mildly antiseptic, antifungal and naturally deodorizing.

Yam

Oriental wild yam is a natural pain reliever used in herbal baths to relieve stress and prevent health problems in women.

Eucalyptus Oil

This oil is well known to give relief from sinus infections, blocked nose, common cold, bronchitis, flu and other
respiratory diseases. To treat these health conditions, apply a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the handkerchief and inhale it at regular time intervals. Another best way is to put a few eucalyptus oil drops in the bath water. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to other massage oils to have a calming effect on the mind and body. Its rejuvenating properties aid in getting relief from sluggishness, muscle pain, exhaustion and mental fatigue.

Rose Oil

Rose oil is effective in treating depression, insomnia, impotence and for maintaining healthy skin.


Peppermint oil

Diluted in a bath peppermint oil can assist in nervous disorders and is dramatically effective in stimulating the mind and focusing concentration, for treating the respiratory tract, muscular aches and pains and for some skin problems.


I make my own salts from essential oils that I buy online.  I have some great sellers on etsy!   Do you make your own bath salts or essential oils?  Do you have fibromyalgia?  Sore muscles?

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