FOOTBATH FIXIN’S
Many of the ingredients listed below are available in multiple forms: as herbs, flowers, spices, or essential oils.
aloe
soothing, healing; use gel or plant juice
arnica
relief from muscle aches, bruises, sprains
calendula
catnip
chamomile
cider vinegar
soothes dry skin; antifungal, antiseptic
soothes the nervous system, reduces acute pain
restful, balancing tension-tamer; also good for headaches and insomnia; used topically for skin in ammations
softening, soothing, antifungal
clove
warming, antiviral
eucalyptus
decongestant, antiviral, bactericidal, immune-stimulating; not for use with epileptics
Epsom salts
(magnesium sulfate, MgSO H O) relaxes muscles,
reduces swelling
ginger
warming, stimulates circulation
honeysuckle
sweet-smelling, cooling
lavender
relaxing, balancing; aids healing of cuts, burns, stings
mints
invigorating, can be cooling
orange
uplifting; use only peels—essential oil is too strong
rosemary
stimulating, aids concentration
roses, rose oil antidepressant
tea tree oil
antifungal (good for athlete’s foot), disinfectant; good for cuts, warts, sores
violets
for color
witch hazel
astringent, cleansing
—Angela Cannon-Crothers
| May–June 2009
cover them. (Inevitably, some of that water will spill, so place the bowl on a thirsty towel.) Place the herbs in the bowl, add boiling water, and let the herbs steep a few minutes. (You could use this time to select books or give a foot rub.) en add enough cold water to bring the footbath down to a pleasing temperature.
For children’s baths, aromatherapists and makers of pure essential oils suggest cutting by half the amount of oil used. If you usually use ve drops of a favorite oil for your own footbath, try just one or two drops for your child. Alternatively, you can dilute essential oils in a good-quality massage or body oil and add that to the bath. Remember to use smaller quantities when adding whole herbs and owers to a bath as well. And always check with your health provider before using anything on a child who has a preexisting health condition, such as diabetes or an open wound. Epsom salts are not recommended for anyone who su ers from kidney or heart ailments or high blood pressure.
Herbalist Andrea Reisen, of Healing Spirits Herb Farm and Education Center, in Avoca, New York, says that “catnip is a fabulous herb to use for footbaths.” Because skin is the body’s largest membrane, footbaths work well as a means of transferring the healing bene ts of herbs into the body. “Catnip is a bit of a sedative for most people, and because it’s so nice and gentle, it’s safe to use with children,” says Reisen.
you can try scents such as lavender and rose, which can also be combined with healing owers such as arnica
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