A magnesium based salt bath is a great base to build a DIY salt bath for muscle recovery. While just magnesium on it’s own can be rejuvenating for fatigued and sore muscles, adding some recovery based herbs can bring your bath up to the next level, both in relaxation, scent, and muscle benefits.ย
Baths are a great way to indulge in magnesium salt based relaxation, letting your body absorb magnesium from the water, and helping support both relaxation and muscle recovery. While there are many quick and easy ways to use magnesium salts, you can make your own refreshing muscle recovery bath blend quite easily.
No need to have a bunch of essential oils on hand either, this recipe works with whole dried herbs, for storage. Or if you have the herbs on hand fresh, you can use them without drying by making just enough for a single bath. When using whole herbs, use a muslin bag as a “Bath tea” bag to reduce clean up.
Crafting your DIY Salt Bath:
There are different types of magnesium salts that you can use for salt baths. The most accessible is epsom salts. Dead sea salts are also high in magnesium, and a great option if they are available. Use the type of magnesium salt that you have available. Use unscented, or fragrance free, epsom salts as you will be adding herbs to the salt, and the fragrances are unnecessary.
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DIY Salt Bath for Muscle Recovery
Description
A quick salt bath for supporting muscle recovery after exercise, a hard work day, or working out.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup epsom salts
- 2 tablespoons dried dandelion flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons dried calendula flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried yarrow, leaf or flower
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
Instructions
- Measure directly into a medium muslin reusable tea bag, or bath tea bag, for ease of use. Or measure into a small bowl.
- Measure out the epsom salts, and dried herbs. Mix together.
- Run your bath on hot, and place the bath-tea salt bag into the tub.
- Fill tub to desired level, let sit with the bath tea bag in for 5 minutes.
- Adjust temperature of bath, if needed.
- Enjoy the soak, and remove the bath tea bag at the end of the bath.
- The spent bath tea herbs are safe to compost.
Active Recovery Salt Bath:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup epsom salts
- 2 tablespoons dried dandelion flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons dried calendula flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried yarrow, leaf or flower
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
Note: Omit any herbs that you have sensitivity to, to avoid skin irritation.
Directions:
- Measure directly into a medium muslin reusable tea bag, or bath tea bag, for ease of use. Or measure into a small bowl.
- Measure out the epsom salts, and dried herbs. Mix together.
- Run your bath on hot, and place the bath-tea salt bag into the bathtub.
- Fill tub to desired level, let sit with the bath tea bag in for 5 minutes. Squeeze out the bath tea bag to make sure the salt has fully dissolved into the bath, and that the herbs have released their benefits.
- Adjust temperature of bath, if needed.
- Enjoy your DIY salt bath and soak for at least 15 minutes. Remove the bath tea bag at the end of the bath.
- The spent bath tea herb mixture is safe to compost.
Homemade Bath Salts and More:
These recovery bath salts can be a great gift for the athletes in your life, or for anyone who suffers from fatigue, and tight muscles. Simply double or triple the recipe using dried herbs, mix it together until evenly blended, and store in a wide mouthed jar. Label it, and gift it with a large bath tea bag as part of a wellness basket, or athletic support gift.
Other bath related gifts could also be included, you can enjoy candles or gift candles or other beauty products.
Bath bombs may be another awesome consideration to pair with a DIY salt bath blend, like these bath bombs that are reminiscent of rose petals.
DIY Salt Bath Considerations:
There are many variations of basic salt bath recipes. Some include baking soda, or sea salt, as an adjunct to the epsom salts. Baking soda is said to be detoxifying, and sea salt is said to help relieve inflammation and tension. Epsom salts, or magnesium salts, on their own also relieve tension and the warm water of a hot bath can relax and relive aches and pains.
Depending on what you have on hand, a basic epsom salt bath, even without herbs or essential oils, can still be highly beneficial for muscle ache recovery.
Personally, I avoid using essential oils, especially of eucalyptus and peppermint, in the bath tub. I do use lavender sometimes, as it is mild and usually safe for the skin. Using whole herbs helps reduce floating oils that can be irritating, while still providing all the herbal support and benefits.
Join the DIY Herb of the Month Club
Want to gain confidence and formulate your own recipes for rejuvenation, muscle relaxation, gifts, or just for fun? Get the most out of your garden herbs, your wild foraging, and more with our DIY Herb of the Month Club. Build herbal confidence at your own pace, learn more about your favorite herbal allies, and grow in your herbal knowledge, one herb, and one month, at a time!
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