Bathing rituals have evolved since those of past civilizations. However, we can learn a few things from the practices of years ago to enhance the experience. For example, embracing the benefits of bath salts in our bathing routines. 

A Brief History of Bathing

Then

We take the activity of bathing for granted today. But did you know that not everyone enjoyed the luxury of bathing in ancient times? Taking a bath didn’t become a common practice until the 19th century, when plumbing and water treatment advancements occurred. Before then, throughout history, it was often an indulgence reserved for wealthy people, religious leaders, and political figures. Exceptions were the Romans and Greeks around 300 B.C., who made bathing accessible to rich and poor alike. In fact, baths were not only a way to cleanse the body but also an important part of social life. People bathed publicly in buildings specially created for the purposes of getting clean and socializing.  

Now

These days, most of us prefer to bathe alone in the privacy of our own homes. But we can still take the lead from ancient civilizations and enjoy the relaxation and wellness benefits of soaking in a warm bath with salts known for their rejuvenating and therapeutic properties. Doctors and healers have used salt since as far back as around 1600 B.C. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others mention it in their medical writings. 

Types of Bath Salts

The three mineral bath salts we feature in our bath infusions with essential oils are:

• Epsom salt – Epsom salt is a compound of magnesium and sulfate (unlike many other salts, it does not contain sodium). Its name comes from the town Epsom, near London, England, where it was discovered nearly four centuries ago. 
• Israeli Dead Sea salt – This salt comes from the landlocked salt lake bordered on the west by Israel and Palestine and the east by Jordan.
• Pink Himalayan salt – This pink-colored salt is extracted from mines found near the Himalayan Mountain range in Pakistan.

Salt Bath Benefits

Epsom Salt Bath Benefits

Soaking in a warm bath with magnesium-rich Epsom salts can help relax muscle tension and relieve pain.  Epsom salt is also known for its natural detoxification, anti-inflammatory, and serotonin-boosting properties. Some of the symptoms and conditions people find Epsom salt baths beneficial for include:

• Relieving muscle soreness after workouts or manual labor
• Decreasing arthritis swelling and pain
• Soothing tired or swelling feet
• Reducing the Itchiness and redness of psoriasis and eczema
• Alleviating sunburn pain and redness
• Calming feelings of stress 

Dead Sea Salt Bath Benefits

Sourced directly from the Dead Sea in the Mediterranean, Israeli Dead Sea salt contains a relatively low amount of sodium, giving it a higher ratio of other minerals. Its nutrient-rich composition features magnesium, calcium, zinc, sulfur, and potassium. As you can imagine, that gives it some remarkable therapeutic properties (e.g., anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, hydrating, antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial). It is known to help with:

• Cleansing pores, removing impurities
• Easing inflammation and soothing sore muscles and joints
• Fighting free radicals and helping skin look younger
• Restoring skin’s moisture
• Calming the redness, itchiness, and pain of skin allergies and conditions like eczema and psoriasis

Pink Himalayan Salt Bath Benefits

Pink Himalayan salt, with nearly 80 trace minerals (among them: magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, and sodium), has become a staple in the holistic wellness community. Featured in lamps, added as a cooking spice, incorporated into cosmetics, and even crafted into serving dishes, this pretty and powerfully beneficial salt has made quite a name for itself. Fortunately, it lives up to the hype. Because it comes from salt beds preserved under ice, snow, and lava for millions of years, Pink Himalayan salt has largely remained pollutant-free. 

People find the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and detoxifying properties of Pink Himalayan salt to help alleviate:

• Tightness and tension in muscles
• Pain from arthritis
• Inflammation and pain of fibromyalgia
• Acne breakouts
• Redness and irritation of psoriasis and eczema
• Reduce bloating

Elevating Salt Baths with Essential Oils and Other Natural Ingredients

While soaking in a warm tub with therapeutic bath salts facilitates healthy skin and overall wellness, adding essential oils to the equation amps up the advantages. Pure essential oils contain terpenes (naturally occurring plant compounds) that offer various health benefits to complement and build upon the therapeutic properties of bath salts. In a salt bath, essential oils’ terpenes have an opportunity to work their magic as they are absorbed topically and their aromas are inhaled (aromatherapy).

At Makes Scents Natural Spa Line, two of our Bath Infusions combine therapeutic bath salts and carefully selected pure essential oils. 

1. Energizing Bath Infusion

Energizing, a rejuvenating formulation, features pure Pink Himalayan salt, and it is infused with various citrus oils.

• Pink grapefruit essential oil – Antiseptic, detoxifying, immunity-boosting, anti-microbial, mood-balancing, and antifungal properties
• Orange essential oil – Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and mood-elevating properties
• Lemon essential oil – Circulation-boosting, skin cell-generating, immunity-boosting, mood-elevating, anti-fungal, skin-toning properties
• Lime essential oil – Rejuvenating, antiseptic, astringent, mood-elevating, and antiviral properties

2. Herbal Bath Infusion

Pure Israeli Dead Sea salt is paired with the herbal essential oils in our Herbal Bath Infusion.

• Rosemary essential oil – Antimicrobial, Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, cell-regenerating, and moisturizing properties
• Cajeput essential oil – Antiseptic, skin-toning, pain-relieving, decongestant, and disinfectant properties
• Lavender Essential oil – Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, pain-relieving, and sedative properties
• Clary sage essential oil – Skin-toning, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antidepressant, circulation-boosting, and stress-relieving properties

3. Soothing Bath Infusion

Vanilla and oatmeal also pair exceptionally well with Dead Sea salt in a warm bath. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help relieve dry, itchy skin. It also hydrates and helps skin retain its moisture. Vanilla has antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and fight skin damage — and of course, it smells divine. Our Soothing Bath Infusion contains the skin-satiating trio of natural oatmeal, organic vanilla, and Israeli Dead Sea salt. 

Why Make a Bath Infusion Part of Your Bath Ritual?

Bath infusion products from a reputable spa or bath and body manufacturer will have the optimal combination of bath salts and other ingredients to give you the very best results. They provide a simple approach to creating a wellness-enhancing bathing experience. Generally, all you have to do is dissolve the recommended amount of the infusion into a tub with warm water. It can’t get much easier than that!

If you have questions about Makes Scents Natural Spa Line’s bath infusions or other bath and body products, contact us! We’re always happy to answer as you decide on the spa and skincare products to help you look and feel your best.