Ayurvedic Bath Ritual

Human life begins in the womb, cocooned in water and therefore it is the most natural place to find comfort. Water is not only vital in our bodies but also around it.  Immersing the body in water helps calm the mind, soothe skin, improve lymphatic drainage, relieve muscle ache and induce a good night’s sleep. In Ayurveda, bathing is considered a form of therapy. A daily bath, where you give yourself a moment to ease the day away can be a profoundly healing ritual to add to your daily life, especially in modern day society.

Ayurvedic medical texts report many benefits from the healing bath. The simple act of taking a bath provides a full complement of mind-body rewards without any effort on your part. It can help relax tense muscles, open clogged pores and contributes to a calmer mind and more balanced emotions. ⁠For those  living in a big polluted city is, it’s also great at removing sweat, dirt, and environmental toxins from the skin.

Salts and Botanicals Soak

The beauty rituals of India are all about layering with sensual oils, healing herbs, mineral rich salts and fragrant flowers and all these are centred around water.  Water purifies physically and emotionally and is who we are.

Immersing the body in water helps to calm the mind, soothe skin, improve lymphatic draining, relieve muscle ache and induce a good night’s sleep. After a long and stressful day, I often look forward to a long soak in the tub. A good soak can:

• Helps with insomnia – there’s a reason a nice soak in the bath will make you sleepy. Epsom salt has magnesium, which can help your body produce melatonin naturally. Combine that with the relaxing effect of soaking in hot water, and you’ll sleep more soundly.
• Reduces pain and inflammation – for those who have inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia, the magnesium in Epsom salt can improve symptoms and reduce pain.
• Help with sore muscles – athletes are often advised to soak in a tub of Epsom salt after tough workouts. There’s no reason the same benefits can’t be applied to those of us with lesser athletic endeavours!

Homemade Bath Salt

It is super easy to make a bath salt. As long as you have all the ingredients at home, you can whip one up in a matter of minutes. Below is a list of things you will need and why…

Epsom Salts

The two main ingredients of Epsom salt are magnesium and sulphate. Magnesium is a natural substance that aids a variety of bodily functions, including the removal of toxins. Sulphate is believed to strengthen the walls of the digestive tract and make releasing toxins easier.

• Soothe the skin Epsom salt bathwater can soften rough, dry skin, and exfoliate dead skin cells. It may also soothe skin affected by skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
• Reduce soreness and pain Epsom salt bath may provide pain relief and reduce swelling in people living with certain types of inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.
• Reduce stress Healthy magnesium levels can boost brain neurotransmitters that are responsible for inducing sleep and reducing stress. Magnesium may also promote melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. People feeling stressed and overwhelmed may benefit from taking an Epsom salt bath. Some research has found that people who are suffering from mental and physical stress benefit when their magnesium levels are managed.

We all know that milk does a body good—from the inside. But it’s just as amazing for the outside of our bodies, aka our skin and hair. Milk nurtures skin because it’s an incredibly unique combination of water-based hydration, natural lipids, proteins, and gently exfoliating acids. Queen Cleopatra famously bathed in milk as part of her beauty routine for radiant, glowing skin. But why is milk such an incredible nurturing ingredient for the skin?

Milk

• Rich in skin-nourishing lipids are the naturally occurring fats found in milk. They’re useful for replenishing any lost moisture back to the skin, keeping it hydrated, healthy, and glowing. These lipids also help to soothe irritated skin. Thanks to its high lipid content, whole milk is also rich in fat-soluble vitamins (specifically A, D, E, and K) and essential fatty acids that help to nourish and heal the skin.
• Gently exfoliates with lactic acid Milk is a natural source of lactic acid (the word ‘lactic’ derived from ‘lactose’), and the levels found in milk provide a perfect source of gentle yet effective exfoliation. Exfoliation is key for healthy skin—gently removing dead skin cells to reveal glowing new skin underneath! It promises baby-smooth skin and unplugs blocked pores totally naturally.
• High levels of proteins and amino acids Alongside the many amino acids, enzymes, and proteins in milk, the main protein found in it is called casein. Casein is another wonder-ingredient of milk, thanks to its ability to provide a complete source of amino acids to the skin. Milk proteins are effective at repairing, restructuring, and healing the skin by providing moisture and protecting skin from dryness. Perfect for soothing skin if you have a sunburn.

Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt is a powerful detoxifier This ionic salt solution helps to extract the toxins out of your skin and tissues. The Himalayan pink salt penetrates your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and nourished.

• Relaxing & energising at once As your body organs resonate with the natural frequency of the minerals in the salt bath, your body is being recharged, boosting metabolism, and triggering its self-healing powers. The salt helps to relax and provide relief to cramped muscles and muscle aches, due to the presence of calcium and other trace minerals. It can also help strengthen bones, skin, and connective tissues that may contribute to body soreness.
• Skin Hydration The salt gets stored in the upper layer of the skin, which plumps up your skin and creates a natural protective film on the skin and prevents the skin from dryness. It helps to heal and bring relief to irritating and painful skin conditionssuch as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, as it helps to promote better skin hydration. It is also effective against insect bites and blisters.

Roses

Adding rose petals to your bath creates a relaxing, soothing environment—but roses do more than just smell beautiful! The petals themselves are rich in antioxidants, and the concentrated essential oil nurtures and soothes skin. Almost all parts of the rose bloom—petals, bud, and oils—are rich in skincare benefits, some of which are:

• Soothes irritated, red skin Rose petals and rose essential oil are skin calming and contain hero skincare ingredients that nurture overworked and irritated skin. This is what makes rosewater such a soothing toner. And these same comforting abilities can be harnessed when you add dried rose petals to a hot, steaming bath.
• Hydrates and refreshes dry skin Along with milk, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt also used rose petals in her bath and in her beauty rituals for glowing, moisturized skin. Moisturized skin is healthy skin—totally revitalized and ready for the day. Rose petals leave your skin super soft to the touch.
• High levels of antioxidants Rose petals are packed with antioxidants like vitamin C that protect and nourish the skin. Vitamin C helps to kick-start collagen production for healthy, youthful-looking skin. Antioxidants also help to brighten skin and fade any uneven skin tone, whether that’s a farmer’s tan or marks left behind by acne and irritation.
• Purifies and tones the skin Rose petals and rosewater have mildly astringent properties—meaning, rose petals help to cleanse the skin and remove any lingering impurities. They help to ensure that pores are free of any skin-clogging sebum for clear, blemish-free skin. Rose petals have been shown to have antimicrobial effects, protecting your skin from harmful bacteria.
• Aromatherapeutic While this isn’t strictly skin care, we can’t overlook just how good roses smell! They provide an amazing aromatherapeutic benefit—rose scent, especially from the essential oil, helps to relieve anxiety and relax the mind and helps alleviate stress, tension, and even pain in the body.

Lavender

Lavender has healing and cleansing properties, making it the perfect addition to a jar of bath salts. Some benefits of using lavender, whether dried or in essential oil form, include:

• Reduces anxiety – there’s something immediately soothing about the scent of lavender. A recent study showed that science backs this up too!
• Helps with sleep problems – the same study also showed that lavender was superior to a placebo when used for insomnia, disturbed sleep, or restlessness.
• Stabilizes mood – whether you are in a season or stress, or dealing with depression, lavender is beneficial aromatherapy to employ.
• You can grow it at home –perhaps the most fun thing about lavender is that you can grow it right in your own backyard! It also happens to be an excellent way to attract beneficial pollinators to your yard, too.

Making fragrant jars of homemade bath salts couldn’t be easier. In vintage mason jars, bath salts look beautiful on display and make wonderful gifts. Here is a recipe to make your own in just a few simple steps.

Ingredients

• 2 cups Epsom salt
• 1 cup Himalayan Salt
• 3 tablespoons Full cream Milk Powder
• ½ cup of dried Rose petals or powder
• ½ cup Lavender petals

Method

Mix all ingredients in a large glass bowl. Store in a dark cold spot. To use, fill bath with warm water and add 2-3 tablespoons of the salt and soak for 15-20 minutes! You will be amazed at how easy it is to feel so relaxed!