Winter has finally arrived, and colds are coming out in full force. We’ve been fortunate this year that our colds haven’t been as severe, but the congestion still sneaks in, and warm baths have been crucial. One of my go-to remedies during cold and flu season is a vaporizing steam, and these vaporizing bath salts are great for helping with sinus congestion.
A few years ago, I actually had a doctor recommend diffusing essential oils – eucalyptus specifically – to help with a sinus infection and bronchitis that I simply couldn’t get rid of. Ever since, when I start to feel something coming on, I break out my eucalyptus oil. I’m actually not a big fan of the way it smells, so I add peppermint to help.
This bath salt mixture includes peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary, and when added to a warm bath it’s just what is needed to help your sinuses. So while I think it’s great for this cold season, it’s great for any sinus irritation season. (I tend to need more relief in May, for some reason!)
Homemade Vaporizing Bath Salts
Yields: 2 cups
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups Epsom salts
1/2 cup baking soda
20 drops peppermint essential oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
15 drops rosemary essential oil
7 drops blue soap colorant or mica powder
5 drops yellow soap colorant or mica powder
DIRECTIONS
Add the Epsom salts and baking soda to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the essential oils and stir well to distribute. Mix in the soap colorants and stir until your desired shade of green is achieved. Transfer to an airtight glass container and store in a cool and dry place.
HOW TO USE
Add 1/4 cup of the vaporizing bath salts to your warm bath water. Use your hand to circulate the bath salts around in the water and to activate the essential oils. Grab a good book, and sit back and enjoy the vaporizing effects of the peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils. These bath salts are perfect for relieving sinus congestion and to ease sore and achy muscles.
Other essential oil recipes to try:
Do you use essential oils? Have you tried eucalyptus yet?
Just pinned this for gift for Christmas next year, but first, I’m making some for myself!