How to Make Bath Salts with Fragrance Oil

Bath salts are more than a fancy frill – they have many health benefits. Most bath salts begin with Epsom salt, which is rich in magnesium.

It’s easy and inexpensive to make your own bath salts at home. All you need are Epsom salts, baking soda, and the fragrance oil of your choice:

• Put 2 cups of Epsom salts and ¼ cup of baking soda into a glass mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly.
• Add 15 drops of your favorite Africa Imports fragrance oil. Stir again.
• Store in a jar with a tight lid until you’re ready for your bath.

When you’re ready to take your bath, stir in one cup of your new bath salts.

Some people like to add sea salt to the mix. If you want to try this, you’ll use 1 ½ cups of Epsom salts plus ½ cup of sea salts.

You might also want to add 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil like jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. This will help the fragrance blend with the salts.

Caution!

Just as too much medicine can hurt you, too much exposure to Epsom salts is not a good idea. Follow these guidelines to use your bath salts safely:

• Do a skin patch test the day before you take your first bath with salts. Moisten some bath salts with a few drops of water, rub on the inside of your arm, and let it stay there for 24 hours. If there’s any irritation, do not use the bath salts.
• Never use bath salts if you have open wounds or rashes.
• Begin slowly. Your first bath should be no more than 15 minutes long. Work your way up to 30 or 40 minutes—not longer.
• Make sure you rinse thoroughly with clean water after your bath.
• Don’t’ use bath salts more than 2 or 3 times each week.

If you have diabetes, stay away from Epsom salts. Mix this milk bath soak instead:

• Combine ¼ cup of cornstarch with ½ cup of milk powder.
• Add 2 cups of warm water and whisk until smooth.
• Add 6 drops of your favorite Africa Imports fragrance oil.
• Use right away.

Enjoy your bath!