If you like bath time as much as I do for its body- and soul-soothing benefits then you will appreciate these ten little-known remedies. Add the following ten home remedies to your bath water and help heal everything from haemorrhoids to sunburns, and more!
1. Milk
Do you have a sunburn? Got milk? The soothing attributes of milk will take the bite out of a nasty sunburn. In fact, New York based dermatologist, Dr. Francesca Fusco, suggests not only bathing in a cool milk bath, but also soaking a washcloth in cold milk blend of half milk and half water, and then pressing the cloth gently against areas where the sunburn is localized and inflamed for up to 10-minutes. The calming lactic acid in milk also helps exfoliate dry, flaky skin.
2. Lavender
Following a rather strenuous workout, essential oils, like lavender, added to your bath will do their part to lower muscle inflammation and soothe tender, aching muscles. Just add a small capful (about 6 drops) to warm bathwater and swirl it around to disperse the oils thoroughly.
3. Green Tea
Add roughly 6 green tea bags to your warm bath water and literally let them steep for 15 or 20 minutes before you submerge yourself into the anti-aging and detoxifying water.
4. Olive Oil
Many of Hollywood’s classic beauties (i.e., Sophia Loren) credit olive oil baths with protecting skin’s elasticity and creating a stunning natural glow. Infuse a warm bath with a ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil and your favorite essential oil for scent.
5. Lemon
Fresh lemon is a rejuvenating scent. Well, in the bath, a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice will tighten pores, smooth skin, and help restore skin luminosity after a day in the sun or swimming in a chlorinated pool.
6. Honey
Honey may be Mother Nature’s sweetest treat, but it’s also one of the most moisturizing. Add raw honey to your bath to help skin attract and retain moisture, which is why so many skin and hair products use honey. Mixing honey with an abrasive (i.e., sea salt) will gently slough off calluses and smooth flaky skin.
7. Epsom Salts
Epsom salts have been incorporated to baths for hundreds of years to soothe the body, mind, and soul. A few cups of Epsom salts added to warm to hot bathwater is a touted DIY cure for skin problems, relaxation, back and muscle pains and strains, healing cuts, rashes, inflammation, and with detoxifying the body.
8. Ginger
Raw ginger is a health-enhancing root that was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a detoxifying steam bath used to sweat (and you will sweat a lot) out all sorts of toxins. Just add a ½ cup of grated ginger to warm bathwater to relieve all types of digestive woes, banish flu symptoms, and rejuvenate the body.
9. Cinnamon
Cinnamon isn’t just a mental pick-me-up; it’s a skin pick-me-up as well. If you’ve had a case of athlete’s foot or a recent brush with poison ivy or poison oak, a few teaspoons of cinnamon mixed with carrier oil will banish rashes and also act as a warming agent to relieve muscle pain.
10. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural and safe way to refresh and soften dry, irritated skin and for eliminating toxins thanks to it’s ability to neutralize acidity. For instance, baking soda is often recommended by doctors to treat yeast infections, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rashes or sores in the areas around the genitals or behind.
