Bathe Like a Flower Fairy This Holiday: Herbal Candy Cane Salt Soak
Crafting for the holidays is such fun, and including a little something for self-care is important! Herbal bathing gives us a chance to slow down and rest for a bit. Plus, all of the goodness from the herbs steeps right into the water enhancing the wonderful effects of a simple bath.
Happily there are plenty of cozy wintertime books to enjoy in the tub too. We have listed some below to help you get reading.
Surely a flower fairy would take time for a bath and a reading session during this busy season, you can too!
Make A Candy Cane Bath Salt Soak
This recipe uses a gentle blend of two prominent herbs from fiction: roses and mint. In this blend rose petals and spearmint essential oil come together to bring delightful rosy-mint floral holiday cheer right to the tub. Both of these herbs help to quell an overwrought nervous system, with the spearmint offering a wonderfully refreshing aroma that is uplifting and happy! Roses are used in baths for their astringent, anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe and tone the skin.
You can learn more about roses including their use in body care in our free eBook: Find It Here.
This salt bath is fun to make with kids for gifting because of the pattern that appears when the kids layer the salts. They really enjoy watching the candy cane form!
Ingredients
3 cups Epsom salt
1 cup pink Himalayan salt
1 cup baking soda
¼ cup crushed, dried red rose petals
¼ cup beet powder
10 to 15 drops spearmint of essential oil
1 tablespoon carrier oil: jojoba, apricot kernel, almond, and olive oil are good options
Directions
Mix the Salts
The white layer:
In a bowl add: 2 cups Epsom salt and ½ cup baking soda.
Measure out the carrier oil into a smaller bowl or cup. Then add 10 to 15 drops of spearmint essential oil to the carrier oil. Mix well.
Note that I do not recommend substituting peppermint essential oil, as spearmint essential oil is much milder than peppermint, which can burn in the tub.
Add the carrier oil/essential oil mixture to the white salt blend and stir. You will want to break up any clumps that form to ensure the oils are mixed thoroughly into the salt.
The pink layer:
In a separate bowl add: 1 cup epsom salt, the pink Himalayan salt, and ½ cup baking soda. Stir well.
Next add enough crushed red rose petals and beet powder to make the salt pinkish red. You will likely need about ¼ cup each of crushed rose petals and beet powder. Add more for a deeper color and more contrast in your final product.
Creating the Candy Cane
Now for the fun part, layering the bath salts:
Take a bag or a jar (canning jars work wonderfully) and place one color of salt in the bottom. Make sure the salt is level and hold the jar or bag steady.
Then add the other color of salt to create a layer, or candy cane stripe.
Repeat until your container is full.
Add a ribbon and a label!
How to Use Your Bath
Full body bath:
Add ½ cup or more of the candy cane salt bath blend directly to the tub or put into a muslin bag before adding to the tub. The bag makes clean up easier and you can use the bag as a gentle scrub during your bath. Your tub may become slippery; use care getting in and out of the bath.
Foot bath:
Place a couple spoonfuls of the salt bath mixture in a basin of warm water. Soak your feet and enjoy!
Cautions & Warnings:
This recipe may make the bathtub slippery! Use caution when getting in or out of the tub.
For external use only. This bath is not meant for children under age 6. We are not medical professionals. Consult a physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have epilepsy, or other health needs. If you have sensitive skin perform a patch test before use.
Download a printable recipe card below:
Suggested Candy Cane Bath Salt Soak Reading List
Once you have created your bath blend, you may want to give it to a friend with one of the books below or take a holiday bath yourself!
Cozy Holiday and Wintry Books:
Christmas With The Elf King by Lenore Stutznegger
Holiday Cheese and Capers: A Cozy Fantasy Holiday Adventure with Found Family, Magic, Romance & Charcuterie by Ciara Blume
A Fellowship Of Games And Fables by J. Penner
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Winterfrost Market (Tales of Midwinter Haven) by Jenny Sandiford
The Solstice Swap (The Solstice Swap Duology) by Danielle Garrett
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne (which features rose & mint tea)
This list will always be evolving as we discover more books to add. Please reach out to us and share any of your suggestions as well, we would love to hear from you!
Happy Holiday Bathing!
previously posted on Mama Rosemary
The Herbal Academy is having their annual holiday sale!
If you are looking to learn more about herbs, the Herbal Academy is there to help! With some of the best herbal teachers working with the caring staff at the Academy, you will be in good hands!