Few things undo a hard day like a warm bath. Add mineral salts and a well-chosen essential-oil blend and an ordinary soak becomes a small, restoring ritual.
The warmth alone eases tired muscles and slows the breath. Mineral salts — Epsom salt or a natural sea salt — add their own softening, soothing quality to the water, and give the essential oils something to disperse into so they do not float in a concentrated film on top.
Making the bath
Start with about half a cup to a full cup of Epsom or sea salt. In a separate small bowl, stir five or six drops of essential oil into the salt — or into a tablespoon of carrier oil — before adding it to the running water. Mixing the oil with salt or carrier first is the key step: it keeps neat oil off your skin.
Blends to try
- To unwind: lavender with a little frankincense.
- For sore muscles: a small amount of eucalyptus with lavender.
- For a lift: sweet orange with a touch of geranium.
- For quiet before sleep: Roman chamomile with sandalwood.
A few cautions
Keep the water comfortably warm, not hot, and the room ventilated. Use citrus oils sparingly and rinse afterwards, as they can leave skin sensitive to sun. Take care stepping out — oils can make a tub slippery. And if you are pregnant or have a medical condition, check which oils are suitable before you begin.