A relaxing bath is taken to a whole new level when you indulge in an Epsom salt bath with essential oils. Here’s how to do it.
Every family goes through stressful times, and often when a family is stressed, someone ends up sick or tired. Sometimes both. And often mom.
One simple remedy that I love to use when feeling sick or tired is Epsom salt baths. Not only is the warm water relaxing, the minerals in the salt help my body feel strengthened and settled. I like to add in some essential oils for various ailments, making the humble Epsom salt bath a restorative treat.
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a natural mineral (and not technically a salt) used for a variety of purposes.
Its most frequent use is probably as bath salt, and as the minerals are absorbed through your skin, an Epsom salt bath is a great way to heal and relax.
When you add essential oils to the bath, you get a deeply soothing experience!
But since essential oils don’t dilute in water, even when combined with Epsom salt, you’ll need to take a simple safety precaution so that your essential oils don’t irritate your skin.
How to Safely Add Essential Oils to an Epsom Salt Bath
Rather than just swirl the essential oils into your Epsom salt bath where they’ll float on top of the water and hit your skin undiluted, you need to dilute them in something with a fat or oil.
- Whole milk or coconut milk can help disperse the essential oils.
- Liquid Castile soap will also disperse them through the water.
- A carrier oil will dilute them but stay separated from the water.
My favorite method for diluting essential oils through an Epsom salt bath is to combine a carrier oil with liquid Castile soap, then add essential oils. The carrier oil thoroughly dilutes the essential oil while the Castile soap distributes the carrier oil through the water.
You end up with a moisturizing, soothing bath!
How to Take an Epsom Salt Bath with Essential Oils
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Once you know how to safely dilute essential oils in a bath, the rest is easy! Here’s all you need to do to enjoy an Epsom salt bath with essential oils.
- Run a very warm bath.
- Add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt into the water, swirling to dissolve.
- Combine 1-2 teaspoons carrier oil (like apricot kernel, sweet almond, or grapeseed) with 1-2 teaspoons liquid Castile soap in a small container, then add 3-5 drops gentle essential oil.
- Add the oil, soap, and essential oil mix to the bath and swirl to distribute.
- Soak and relax!
Your body will thank you for the boost of minerals that can help it detox and heal, and your mind will thank you for the quiet time to unwind.
Your skin will thank you, too. The combination of carrier oil, Epsom salt, and essential oils will leave it so soft and moisturized!
What Essential Oils to Add to Your Bath
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is always a great choice. It is safe for everyone, relaxing, and very pleasant.
- Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) or red mandarin (Citrus reticulata) are both uplifting, but calming. More than a drop or two of citrus oils in the bath can start to irritate the skin, so consider blending with another oil like lavender.
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) or spearmint (Mentha spicata) can be an option when you’re feeling queasy or dealing with very sore muscles. Just a drop goes a long way.
- A drop of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus, E. spp.) can be soothing when you have a cold or congestion.
- Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) are gentle to the skin and very relaxing.
If you don’t already have a favorite essential oil brand, Florihana and Plant Therapy are two to consider.
There are many other options, including unique blends that are perfect for a relaxing soak. Use these ideas as a springboard.
I know that as a mom with young children, my days are not abounding in opportunities to spend a quiet hour alone taking a bath on one of those days. However, I’ve found that just spending 20 minutes in an Epsom salt bath does wonders for me!
I am prone to headaches when I get run down, and the magnesium in Epsom salts really helps to bring about relief from a headache. The quiet room doesn’t hurt, either.
The next time you’re in need of some relaxation, rest, and destressing, an Epsom salt bath can be a great option to try!
Would you recommend combining the bath salts and the castille soap/carrier oil/essential oil blend into a jar for later use? Also, how do you feel about using natural solubilizers to make an essential oil bath soak? Thanks!
Yes, you can definitely make up a batch ahead of time, Eric. They make nice homemade gifts, too! As far as solubilizers, I think they could be fine if that’s your preference. I would use Solubol as opposed to polysorbates. I haven’t used it in a bath myself since I find castile soap and a carrier oil more convenient. But other people use it that way and it will keep the EOs dispersed through your bathwater.
I love epsom salt baths.I like to use clary sage or ylang ylang. Lemongrass is good, too, along with lavender. now I need to go and take a bath…..
Oh, I bet clary sage would be an excellent choice for premenstrual symptoms! I can’t use it now since I’m pregnant, but that’s a good one to use in the future. Ylang ylang is one of my absolute favorites, too.