Homemade foot baths are an ancient technique widely used for relaxation, pain relief and stress relief. Learn how to make yours.
After a long day and many tasks, the body needs rest and relief to be prepared for the next day. A great way to take care of yourself and your body is the ancient foot bath technique. It has been used for thousands of years as a form of purification and connection with the body and soul. But also to relieve pain, stress and other ailments.
Our feet keep us moving, and they end up becoming overworked after a long routine. Furthermore, the feet are able to absorb all the nervous tension from activities carried out during the day. Therefore, the foot bath ends up being a great way to relieve pain and various illnesses, especially because the feet contain several nerve points. So, beyond relaxing your feet, this practice also aims to bring relief to the entire body.
Therefore, today we will learn more about this ancient practice and its benefits. In addition, of course, recipes on how to prepare your perfect homemade foot bath to relax at the end of the day.
Homemade foot bath
First of all, we need to explain what a foot bath is. It is literally a foot bath. It is made by immersing the feet in a container of warm or room temperature water with the addition of salts, herbs, flowers, essential and therapeutic oils, among other ingredients that provide relief and relaxation to the feet.
In order to contextualize this practice, it has been done for thousands of years, since Ancient Greece and Rome. At that time, foot baths were performed as a ritual of purification and connection with the essence of the body and soul, in addition to eliminating toxins through the skin.
Nowadays, homemade foot baths are recommended for the treatment of various illnesses, such as stress, leg pain, tiredness, circulation problems, as well as mycoses, calluses, colds, among others. In fact, the biggest difference of the practice is that it brings relief and relaxation not only to the feet, but to the entire body.
So, in addition to ingredients with therapeutic properties, it is possible to add friction elements to the homemade foot bath, such as stones, crystals and even marbles, which have a massage effect on the points with the most tension.
The pressure and heating of the nerve endings present in the feet result in an instantaneous effect on the energy balance of the entire body. It is no coincidence that the technique is so often used by racing athletes, for example. Finally, in addition to the immediate feeling of well-being, the foot bath provides benefits for the body and mind.
Benefits of the practice
As we have seen, the foot bath goes far beyond a simple “foot bath”. This ancient practice brings a series of benefits that go far beyond special foot care.
Relaxation and stress reduction
This is one of the main benefits of the practice, and also one of the best known. This is because immersion in water is one of the main means of regulating blood circulation, consequently providing relaxation.
But, in addition, another therapeutic benefit of foot baths is the ability to improve the body’s bioelectricity through immersion in a salt solution. In this way, the energetic movement of the elements provides a considerable reduction in stress levels.
Relief for the whole body
As previously stated, the feet are capable of absorbing all nervous tension, this is because they have around 70,000 nerve endings. In other words, relaxation can have an effect on general well-being, in addition to treating and relieving pain and injuries, not only in the feet, but also throughout the body.
Reduces swelling in the legs
Swelling in the feet and legs is quite common. This swelling is a result of the accumulation of fluid in the body, which can be caused by several reasons. So, the foot bath becomes a great option to alleviate this condition, as it activates circulation and reduces the accumulation of liquids.
What do you need to make a foot bath
To make a homemade foot bath you will need a few things, namely:
- Large basin or bucket;
- Warm or room temperature water;
- Essencial oils;
- Flowers or herbs;
- Bath salts;
- Friction elements.
In fact, to make the ritual even more relaxing, the ideal is to do it in a peaceful environment. In fact, if you prefer, you can put on some calm music and choose a comfortable place.
As for the ingredients, there are several options to use in your homemade foot bath, the most common are:
- Salt, which helps drain excess fluid and reduce swelling.
- Eucalyptus, mint and mint, which help combat tiredness, relieving the feet and legs of the feeling of heaviness.
- Arnica, which reduces body pain.
- Calendula that has antiseptic and antibacterial action.
- Rue, which helps activate blood circulation.
- Clove, cinnamon and rosemary, which are very powerful natural stimulants and invigorators.
- Lavender, lemon balm, fennel, lemongrass and chamomile, all of which have relaxing effects and help improve sleep.
6 homemade foot bath recipes
Finally, now that we know the benefits of homemade foot baths, it’s time to learn some recipes on how to prepare a foot bath. The preparation method is basically the same, what changes are the ingredients used in the recipe, each one with a specific purpose.
1 – Lavender foot bath
Ingredients
- Warm water (enough to cover your feet)
- 3 orange slices
- 5 Likes Lavender Essential Oil
- 1 cup coarse salt
- Marbles (optional)
Preparation mode
Start by heating the water, when it is warm add it to a large basin or bucket. Then add the orange slices, drops of oil, salt and marbles. Finally, place your feet in the container, so that they are submerged up to the ankles and rest for 10 to 15 minutes, using the marbles to gently massage your feet.
2 – Lavender foot bath
Ingredients
- Warm water (enough to cover your feet)
- 4 spoons of coarse salt
- 8 drops of lavender oil
Preparation mode
First, add the warm water to the bucket and then add the rest of the ingredients. Stir until the salt dissolves completely and then place your feet. Leave your feet in the bath for 30 minutes. Finally, dry your feet and apply a moisturizer of your choice.
3 – Chamomile foot bath
Ingredients
- 8 cups of chamomile tea
Preparation mode
Add the warm tea to a bucket or basin and place your feet in it for 30 minutes. As chamomile has relaxing properties, this recipe is perfect to make at the end of a long busy day.
4 – Refreshing foot bath
Ingredients
- Room temperature water
- 5 drops of mint essential oil or mint leaves crushed with sea salt
Preparation mode
First add water to a bucket or basin and then add the oil or mint leaves. So, place your feet in the mixture and let it rest for 15 minutes, feeling the freshness of the mint. Finally, give your feet a foot massage with your favorite moisturizing cream.
5 – Foot bath for pain
Ingredients
- Warm water (enough to cover your feet)
- 1/2 cup refined salt
- Rose petals
- 3 drops of geranium essential oil
- 1 drop of ripener essential oil
Preparation mode
First, boil the water and add it to a large basin. Then add the salt, rose petals and oils and mix well. Finally, put your feet in the water and let them rest for 15 minutes. These oils help combat fluid retention and bloating, while the salt and petals provide relaxation.
6 – Exfoliant
Ingredients
- 4 spoons of brown sugar
- 8 spoons of almond oil
- Warm water
Preparation mode
Start by mixing the sugar and oil. Then, apply the exfoliating mixture to your feet, making circular movements all over the foot. Once done, remove the entire mixture with a damp towel and then place your feet in a container of water for a few minutes. Dry your feet and apply a moisturizing cream, then wrap your feet in a plastic bag and let it act for 15 minutes. Finally, remove the bag and massage your feet gently.
