Why Bath Salts, How to Use Them and How to Make Them!

Bath salts are one of those bath and beauty products that most people don't seem to get. As a matter of fact, I get loads of people asking me what they are for and how to use them. Most think that you need a tub to use them, so they instantly discount them as a waist of money. If they only understood the benefits and its many uses,  they would think twice about putting it down.

Bath salts are made up of three simple elements...mineral or epsom salt, softening oils and aromatic essential oils. Each component has its partcular task. The salt softens the water, while the oils soften your skin. And of course, the essential oils soften your mind with aromatherapy. Its pretty basic when you think about it. But why use them? Just to soften? Heck no!

Salts have been long known to be a theraputic treatment in healing muscle tissue. When disolved in warm to hot water, you can soak your body or individual parts of your body in the solution, to replace lost electrolites in soar muscles. It also acts as a natural anti-inflamatory and reduces stress on your joints.

Softening oils are light, non-scented, natural oils occuring in nuts and vegetables. The most common of these oils are sweet almond, olive oil, walnut oil and sesame oil. They have the most similar molecular structure as the natural oils produced by our bodies. 

This is why they are more easily absorbed through the skin and create the best hydration and moisture.

Essential oils are expelled from all kinds of natural herbs, spices, fruit and flowers. These are the aromatic oils that are used for both aromatherapy as well as for healing purposes, depending on what the needs of the users are. Within bath salts, essential oils are used mainly for aromatherapy since the water really diffuses the oils and the health benefits correlating to absorption are not as prominent. Some great essential oils to use would be lavender, orange or citrus oils, rosemary, basil, or some of the warmer since like cinnamon, clove or ginger. These are great additives to relax the mind and for therapeutic purposes to relieve joints.

To make your own bath salts, you have to follow a fairly basic principle of ratios just like you would a recipe. First you need to measure your salt. Remember to you epsom coarse salt for the best results. For every cup of epsom salt, add 1 cup of your base oil and 20 drops of the essential oil of your choice. You can mix your aromatics to create unique scents as well. Just make sure that you use scents that would compliment eachother. (For example, flower scents and fruit scents don't mix well.)

Once you created your own unique blend, make sure that you store the mixture in a glass jar. Do not use plastic since some of the essential or carrier oils can eat through the thin lining. Also, store it in a dark cool dry place. Make sure that when you're ready to use your bath salts that you are using clean dry hands to scoop out the salts to put inside your bathtub. Try not to add any water to the mixture since this can cause it to get moldy.

Now that you know the great benefits of using bath salts, treat yourself to a luxurious spa like bath at least once a week! You will be stress and pain free in no time!

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Fall Scented EASY Linen spray that deters Dust Mites! - DIY

As fall approaches, we start to pine for those wonderfully warm scents and colors to envelop us in our homes.  This is the time for the aroma of baked pumpkin pie and spiced rum to spread throughout every room of your home.  The bedroom should be no exception!

While playing around with some new scents and attempting to re-create those fall scents in a healthy and chemical free way, I actually discovered a fantastic method of using the ground spices instead of fragrance oils that could be harmful to your pets, your home environment and your furniture.

Here is how it's done...

First, take a small pot and add 2 cups of water and begin to boil. Add 1 tablespoon each of cinnamon, allspice, Clove, nutmeg & Ginger. (Or, you can purchase a pre-mixed jar of Pumpkin Spice from one of the popular name brands at your local grocer.) Boil for 20 minutes and then remove from heat and let it sit undisturbed till it fully cools. DO NOT put it in the refrigerator to cool.  What is happening during the cooling process, is that you are allowing the natural oils from the spices to infuse the water without it separating. If you cool it down too quickly, the oils will separate and it will not be as effective.

Once it has completely cooled, you want to take a piece of cheese cloth to strain out all of the spices from the infused water. Once seperated, discard the spices and place the infusion into a mixing bowl. Now you are going to need some kind of dry alcohol. The best kind to use here would be vodka. Not the flavored kind and it can be cheap vodka. Stir in 1 cup of the alcohol till it's completely mixed.  

Now you can pour the mixture into a spray bottle and enjoy the scents of Fall anywhere you wish!

A note towards dust mites... they hate the smell of clove, peppermint, lemongrass and citrus. It drives them away and has been proven to kill the little suckers. So if you have thick fabric upholstered couches, have a love of throw pillows and down bedding, this natural spray will kill them with the alcohol content, disinfect your sheets and repel them from coming back with these scents. Talk about a win win product ; -) !

I've tried this same method using citrus fruit rinds and herbs to make all kinds of wonderful natural linen sprays. But this one is my all time favorite. Try it today! Takes no more than 20 minutes to prep and weeks of refreshing aromatic enjoyment.