If you’ve caught me on Facebook or Instagram this week, you’ve been hearing all about how I hurt my back this past Monday. While normally I pride myself on being able to lug around 20kg boxes of carrots during our vegie delivery at work… I’m apparently notsuperwoman. An accidental nudge from a coworker at an inopportune moment is all it took to render me of action for a few days and I’m still muttering under my breath today any time I have to kneel, lift or bend over. Yowch!
As well as some flat-out bed rest and a marvelous remedial massage this morning, I’ve been enjoying some very gentle yoga and stretching and eating lots of anti-inflammatory foods (including my Banish Back Pain Smoothie). This has also been the best excuse ever to indulge in nightly baths, made all the more relaxing with an handful of these Back Pain Bath Salts thrown in.
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath is the king of remedies for sore muscles, as the magnesium sulphate content of Epsom salts is readily absorbed through the skin for fast relief of inflammation. While you can simply throw a cup of plain Epsom salts into the tub, a selection of anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic essential oils makes it a doubly brilliant home remedy for back pain, cramping or tired, sore muscles.
With uplifting (yet relaxing) peppermint, rosemary and lavender essential oils, you don’t even have to wait until you have muscle pain to indulge. It’s also the perfect remedy for general tension and stress. Simply mix up all the ingredients, add a 1 cup bath salts to a running bath, adjust the temperature to liking and jump in with a good book (or a glass of red). Relaxation and relief from back pain and muscle soreness guaranteed!
- 2 cups Epsom salts
- 1 cup bi-carb soda
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 2 tbsp dried lavender flowers
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary sprigs
- Mix together Epsom salts and bi-carb soda in a large bowl. Add essential oils and stir well to distribute evenly through salts. Gently stir through dried lavender flowers and rosemary sprigs.
- Transfer salts into glass jar/s. Use 1 cup of bath salts per bath and soak for at least 15 minutes.
Comments 36
I have never heard of a back pain smoothie but that sure sounds like a great idea. Could you work on some recipies for ice cream and chocolate too?
Seriously though thank you for the recipe and I love the photography
Rory K
http://backpainfixed.net/
Author
My pleasure Rory, thank you so much for the wonderful comment 😀 I’ll be onto the ice cream in particular soon, I put my mixer bowl in the freezer last night to chill!
I’m currently sick with a fever and muscle ache and this soak is the on,y thing that’s given me relief. Thank you for posting this.
Author
I hope by the time you read this you’ve been feeling a lot better (sorry for the delay, I’ve just returned from a holiday). Thanks so much for the feedback and I’m so happy the bath salts were giving you relief. Hope you’re back to 100% now!
I just made a bunch as gifts – it not only smells SO good, but they are beautiful too. Thank you for sharing!
Author
My pleasure Kimberly! Thanks for the comment and I hope your gift recipients all enjoy their new bath salts 🙂
My 4 year old daughter has a lot of migraines, and foot and leg cramps. This soak is a god send on rough days. She loves to help stir it up and put it in pretty containers. I think i have a diy’er in the making. We love your photos too. Thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes!
Author
I’m so glad it’s been helping Molly 😀 It’s always great to get the kids involved in their own healthcare like this and I’m really glad the soak has been helping!
I’ve replied to your email too, please let me know if you need anything 🙂
Haven’t tried this yet but will. How long will the salts last if you are going to give to someone say in a few weeks?
Thanks for your time.
Author
Great question Carol – the salts will last several months in a closed container. If the container is open then you run the risk of the essential oils evaporating over time. I very much doubt you wouldn’t seal the jars though so you’ll be fine 🙂
Thank you so much for the recipe!! I can not wait to try it out on my husband. He has a bulging disc in his lower back that causes him a lot of pain. He also just had a neck fusion surgery that is causing his shoulder and neck to spasm as it heals. I’ve been on the hunt for a natural remedy to try and help him as he already takes too many meds for his pain. I knew epsom salts were supposed to help so I went searching and found your recipe to try…. yay!
Author
I hope they give your husband some relief Trina! That sounds very painful indeed 🙁 Luckily these bath salts are great for sore and spasming muscles and I hope his pain improves overall soon!
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Thank you so much for the recipe Alison! I have to sit in a chair for 40 hours/week for work and often get lower back pain that does not seem to go away. I just tried this recipe and my back already feels much better. Yoga is the only other solution I have found that works.
Author
Sorry for the late reply Tony, I’m so happy that the bath salts and yoga have been helping with the lower back pain 🙂 Forgive me for taking so long to reply and thank you for the comment 🙂
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I wanted to get the back pain smoothie recipe and it has been removed. Please send it to me
Author
Hi Sharon, the recipe is now right here: Banish Back Pain Smoothie. Enjoy!
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