Chamomile Foot Soak - Bath Blend of the month

Botanical bath and shower products inspired by the garden were not my first creations when I started Backyard Patch Herbs.  In fact I expected not to make many at all.  When I began I had Italian Dressing & Marinade, Marcy's Dill Dip, 6 herbal tea blends and one bath salt recipe and that was my entire catalog in 1997.  

Somehow that has changed and I now make a large number of Bath Products.  They are fun and simple to create.  I have formulated more recipes than I can ever put into my catalog of products so I have decided that I will share some of my favorite bath formulations each month.  Come back around the beginning of each month for another special body treatment.

One way to soothe and pamper tired, achy tootsies that rarely see the light of day in the winter is to soak them in a hot foot bath. 

Water temperature is a personal preference, but I find the hottest my feet will comfortably tolerate gives the most relief, and then you have warmed up your feet from the outside when the temps did down.

Chamomile Tea Foot Soak

You can make this with tea bags or loose tea in a tea infuser.  (I recommend BYP Nerve Soothing Tea if you have it on hand - you will get the benefits of Chamomile as well as the bacteria and fungi fighting qualities of sage and thyme with the pain reduction qualities of marjoram)

4 tea bags of 4 to 6 tsp loose tea in a tea infuser
1/8 cup dried parsley
4 drops Essential oil of choice (lemon or apple for scent, cinnamon for warming, thyme for germ fighting are all good)

Place all ingredients in a foot tub or shallow bucket and pour 1 gallon of boiling water over the ingredients.  Allow to steep in hot water for 10 minutes before slipping your feet into the water for a soak.

After a good long soak, dry your feet thoroughly and apply a moisturizing lotion before slipping on socks or slippers!

Multi Herb Foot Soak - Bath Blend of the Month

This rejuvenating and therapeutic recipe is good for summer when you want to soak those tired “dogs” with  herbs fresh from your garden, or in winter when the chill makes warm feet a rare occurrence.  In winter used dried herbs and in summer use fresh.

Multi-Herb Foot Soak

1/2 cup Epsom Salt
1 tsp Olive Oil

Sprigs of fresh Chamomile flowers, Eucalyptus leaves, Lavender flowers, Peppermint leaves, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, and Italian Oregano (in any combination). If fresh herbs are unavailable, substitute 1 tsp each of dried herbs.

Boil enough water to fill a foot pan or dish pan.  Place herbs in bottom of pan and pour boiling water over herbs.  Stir in Epsom salt and olive oil. Once the water has cooled to a comfortable temperature, soak feet for as long as desired. For an even more luxurious experience, place a few smooth stones into the bottom and gently roll your feet over the stones to naturally massage and relax them.

Monthly Bath item - Foot Freshener Bath Salts

It has been a long winter and I am tired of wearing my boots and so are my feet.  So to give them a pick-me-up, I formulated this foot soak, here is a treat for your feet!

Whether you're suffering from athlete's foot, or a long day on your feet, soaking your feet in a basin or tub of salt and essential oil filled water is a wonderful treat.

This blend of essential oils is strong and the tea-tree is pretty medicinal smelling - but is known for its anti-fungal qualities. Just taking the time to soak your feet in the warm, salty water is marvelous, refreshing and will get you ready for foot freedom weather!

Foot Freshener Bath Salts

• 2 cups of epsom salt
• 2 cups of sea salt
• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1/4 ounce of lavender essential oil
• 1/4 ounce of tea tree essential oil
• 40 drops of peppermint essential oil

Directions:

1. Measure out the salts and mix them together well, making sure to break up any clumps. I find that a large, wide, stainless steel bowl works best for blending the salts.
2. Add the essential oils.
3. Mix everything together well.