Water

1. Water is the simplest ingredient, yet it can make a big difference in your foot spa. If you have trouble with circulation in your feet, use two dish tubs—one filled with water that is comfortably hot and the other cool. Soak your feet in the hot water for four or five minutes, then switch to the cold water, and repeat as desired. This hot and cold soak encourages the blood to rush to your feet as they heat up, and then rush away as they cool, increasing circulation.

Epsom Salt

2. Add Epsom salt to any foot soak for added benefits. It contains magnesium, which helps regulate bodily functions and remove toxins from the body, according to the Nutritional Magnesium Association. In this era of highly processed foods, many people are magnesium-deficient, says Dr. David M. Rekar of the Universal City Medical Wellness Group. The Epsom Salt Council found that soaking in a bath with Epsom salt, as opposed to ingesting magnesium, is more effective at boosting your body’s supply of the vital nutrient. It also may lower your blood pressure and counteract the excess adrenaline your body produces as a result of stress, the council says.

Herbal Soak

3. For a spa-like experience, add essential oils—such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil or lavender oil—to your footbath. You can get a similar benefit by simply making a foot soak “tea” using peppermint, lavender or chamomile. Brew the herbs of your choice in one cup of boiling water, and allow to cool. For best results, make the tea in the morning, and keep in the refrigerator. At the end of the day, fill your basin with water and add the crisp, cool herb tea.

Leave a Reply