Bath salt is really easy to make. In fact, you don't have to do anything if you want a basic therapeutic bath - just pour a cup or two of bath salt in your water!
Bath salt is one of the earliest forms of bath therapy. The virtues of bath salts were discovered as early as 1st century AD; Pliny the Elder, the Roman natural philosopher, wrote about the healing waters of the salty Dead Sea, referring to it as "Lake Asphaltites."
Not all bath salts have the same benefits, even though they may all look similar. Each type of salt has a different mineral composition. It's imporatant to know the basic differences between them so that you can choose the best bath salt for you.
The Three Popular Types of Bath Salt
Sea Bath Salt
This bath salt is popular in high-end spas. It is usually harvested from the Atlantic Orean or Mediterranean Sea by evaporating the sea water. Sea salt contains mostly sodium chloride (table salt), but also has traces of other minerals (such as calcium and magnesium) that table salt doesn't have. These minerals get absorbed through the skin and are said to help with a number of skin and body ailments.
I'm not a doctor so I can't make any scientific claims, but have you ever gone swimming in the ocean? I have, many times, and it makes skin and hair dry and very soft. I figure that sea salt baths must do something good for people's skin!
Sea salt in bulk (ordered online) is around $2.50 - $2.00 per pound.
Epsom Bath Salt
Epsom bath salt is not like table salt at all; it's not even salty! But it is a perfect bath salt for a therapeutic soak for strained muscles and sprains. Why is this? Because of its composition. Epsom bath salt is magnesium sulfate, which "flushes toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances," according to the SaltWorks website.
There has been a number of studies done on Epsom salts since it ties in with sports medicine. But my advice is just to try it yourself! It works for me - I might be imagining it, but I think it's even helped fade bruises on my shins. Yes, in case you're wondering, I'm a total klutz!
You can get Epsom salt at any grocery store or pharmacy, but it's expensive! Online in bulk, you can get it for $1.75 to $.89 per pound!
Dead Sea Bath Salt
Dead Sea bath salt is my favorite kind of salt to use! It comes from the Dead Sea, as you've probably guessed, and the salt has many healing properties that continue to be studied.
This bath salt has been used in hospitals for treating all kinds of skin problems from psoriasis to eczema, it helps restore joints, it increases circulation and metabolism, and all of this has been documented in medical research. Dead Sea salt contains many minerals, including sulfur, magnesium, iodine, potassium, calcium, and bromine, all of which are absorbed through the skin.
When I asked the staff at SaltWorks (they really know their stuff, there), they said that Dead Sea bath salts are the most beneficial and therapeutic for the skin of all their salts. They are also the most expensive - expect to pay $3 - $2 per pound in bulk.
A Money-Saving Tip: Buy Bulk Bath Salts
If you take a lot of baths, I suggest buying your bath salts in bulk. Since the optimal amount of bath salt is 1 - 2 cups for maximum therapeutic properties, you'll use it up very quickly! Even though it seems like you spend a lot on shipping if you order online, buying your bath salt 10 to 50 pounds at a time ends up saving you a lot of money.
Other things to make:
How To Make Popular Bath and Body Products includes a bonus chapter on Creative Bath Recipes. Make the same quality as The Thymes, Shi'Kai, and other high-end companies.
