Relaxing Before Sleep With A Bath

A Relaxing Bath - Image by DarthZuzanka on Pixabay 

I have a fond memory of a relaxing lavender-infused bath while at a B&B several years ago.  Either I allowed myself to release all my worries because I was on holiday, or I was so over-the-top exhausted that the lavender scent and the sun beaming through the small window in front of the deep old claw-legged tub was responsible for the most relaxed I had felt in years.  That memory feeds my on-going search for relaxation aids to a good sleep.

I am in favour of making your own simple cosmetic and bath products.  Not only can you research for the best ingredients to what you want (non-harmful to your body and general health, non-allergenic, not harmful to the environment, inexpensive, locally available are some of my criteria) but there is a great deal of pleasure in producing a simple bath oil or bomb or whatever, that does what it says it will. There are legions of different relaxing bath oil and bath salts recipes on the web.  I would caution you to make sure you don't land up with a recipe that uses expensive ingredients (eg., essential oils) that end up causing migraine, burning your skin, or the like.

This bath salts recipe will certainly aid most people in having a relaxing bath followed by a great sleep.  The formulation includes the following ingredients:

EPSOM SALT is Magnesium Sulphite is a pure, mineral compound with many health-related uses.  Benefits include easing sore muscles, fighting cold and flu symptoms, and improving sleep.

BAKING SODA or Sodium Bicarbonate is familiar to all of us as a baking agent, a pot scrubber, and something we put in our fridges to absorb odors.  Baking soda has many health benefits that are less well known.  Among other things, baking soda is effective against various fungal groups including yeasts, dermatophytes and molds that cause skin and nail infections in humans.  Read more about the different benefits and uses for baking soda HERE.

CBD OIL or Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol is extracted from the stalks, leaves and buds of the cannabis sativa (hemp) plant. CBD oil is relaxing, taking down inflammation in the skin and muscles and is a wonderful addition to the bath salt formula.  It can be referred to as hemp oil, although hemp seed oil sold in the nutritional health sections of stores is generally used more for nutritional than medicinal benefits.  Hemp seed oil in the health aisle is generally made by extracting the oil from the seeds of the cannabis sativa.  You will not have a mind-altering experience with CBD oil because it contains very little THC, the chemical in pot that is smoked/vaped/consumed recreationally or medically prescribed (in Canada) for pain control and nausea management for patients with adverse effects from chemotherapy.  When you plan to use it for this bath salts recipe, obtain the CBD oil that is a combination of Cannabis infused with something like organic coconut oil.  CBD oil is available in Canada and throughout the United States.    (Please note that Amazon-- below-- lists all CBD oils as HEMP oil).

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL is famous for its relaxed fragrance and soothing and calming of skin 'issues'.  I would recommend lavender oil over the other common "spa fragrances" such as peppermint which can be so strong in the bath so as to inflict chemical burns on some clients with delicate skin or open wounds.  Other oils to avoid in the bath are basil, cinnamon, clove and thyme.  If you do not like the scent of Lavender, Clary Sage, Chamomile Roman or Neroli are all relaxing oils that can be added to the forumla instead. (Information from my favorite go-to The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion

THE RECIPE FOR THE BATH SALTS:

2 C.    Epsom Salts
1/2 C. Baking Soda
1/4 C. CBD OIL
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil (or homemade Lavender Bud-infused Castor Oil)

METHOD:

1. Stir to combine the epsom salts and the baking soda in a bowl
2. Add in the CBD / Hemp Oil and Lavender oil and wearing latex gloves, combine the mixture well with your hands.
3. Put mixture into a mason jar with a lid
4. Use a 1/2 Cup scoop under hot running water at the beginning of your bath.  Be sure to be there for the running of the bath-- enjoy the fragrance, breathing deeply!
5. You might choose to add some extra charm by including a scoop of the crude Himalayan pink sea salts and a couple of tablespoons of dried Lavender buds to the store mix (for looks mainly).

Want to make your own lavender oil?  Go HERE