The rediscovery of bath salts

Whether you use them in their pure form or in combination with essential oil, bath salts give off all their virtues. Here are a few ideas to take advantage of their beneficial properties.

In ancient times, many different people, including the Chinese, Greeks and Romans, used bath salts for daily hygiene, but also to relax the body, treat skin diseases and alleviate muscle pain. These and many other benefits have been passed down from generation to generation, so much so now people enjoy them to improve their wellness all over the world. For their antibacterial, decongestant and purifying properties, they can be used in any season, even though the winter is the ideal time to have a warm bath with a handful of bath salts instead of a shower. As an alternative, you can opt for a soothing footbath which doesn’t require an excessive consumption of water. In both cases, you can choose different types of bath salts.

bath salts relax

Bath salts are useful to relax your mind and body © http://yoganonymous.com/

 

The most common and least expensive are those made of sea salt: these include the fleur de sel, also used in cooking, and natural sea salt. The latter is not refined and is particularly rich in in precious trace elements, including iodine, fluoride, calcium, magnesium and potassium. It doesn’t contain additives, is slightly moist and greyish, which shows that it hasn’t undergone industrial processes. If you add it to the bathwater it releases all its properties: it helps ease muscle tension, relieves skin irritation and puts you in a good mood by eliminating stress and anxieties. By combining a few drops of lavender essential oil your bath will be even more relaxing.

It’s been a long time since the beneficial properties of the Dead Sea salt for the skin are renowned worldwide. It is extracted from water with high salinity for its climatic and geological characteristics, which is only found in this region between Israel and Jordan where the average annual temperature is about 32 °C. The Dead Sea salt is rich in magnesium and potassium and for this reason it hydrates the skin, treats acne and psoriasis, soothes inflamed skin and balances the skin pH.

pink himalayan salt trace elements

The pink Himalayan salt is rich in trace elements © www.eklablog.com/

 

Another much appreciated variety of salt in Ayurvedic medicine is the pink Himalayan salt that owes its particular colour to iron. Its history dates back to more than 200 million years ago, when it formed. As a matter of fact, it is a so-called fossil salt and it is rich in trace elements: scientists found 84 including calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur oxide, manganese, fluorine, iodine, zinc and copper. It is not refined, actually it is pure: all its qualities are preserved. Besides being perfect for purifying baths and relaxing footbaths, the pink Himalayan salt is ideal for removing toxins and old skin cells. Here is an easy-to-prepare recipe to exfoliate the skin.

Ingredients: two spoonful of pink Himalayan salt; two spoonful of sweet almond oil; 3-4 drops of lemon essential oil that has antiseptic and stimulating and disinfecting properties. You should combine all the ingredients until smooth and then rub the mixture on the most commonly affected areas such as the feet; finally, rinse with lukewarm water.

exfoliating treatment bath salts

Bath salts are also useful to prepare exfoliating treatments for the skin

 

Being discovered by Henri Wicker following an analysis of the mineral spring of the English town they’re named after, Epsom salts are used since the seventeenth century in bathwater. They’re rich in magnesium sulphate and are excellent for footbaths, purifying baths and as ingredients of many cosmetic recipes, such as that for the preparation of facial cleansers. You just need to combine a natural cream and a teaspoonful of Epsom salts; stir well and gently apply the cleanser with circular movements on the skin; then rinse with warm water.

Salt is a versatile and beneficial product for our body. We suggested just a few ideas to know how to choose and use it, but it can be used in a variety of other ways in cosmetics. It can be customised by adding herbs or flowers, like rose petals or lavender flowers, for bathrooms or fragrant footbaths.

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