This homemade herbal bath salts recipe is a great way to unwind, soothe sore muscles, and infuse a bit of nature’s comfort into your bath products. All using simple ingredients you may already have at home.
After a long day tending the garden, chasing animals, or simply managing the daily hustle of homestead life, there’s nothing quite like a good soak in a hot bath.
If you have children, it’s a fun way to get your kids involved in the process. Teach kids how to pick the fresh herbs or flowers straight from your garden.
Whether you’re new to natural products or already growing your own medicinal herbs, this DIY bath salt recipe is the perfect addition to your homemade gifts, bath tea, or self-care routine.
What Are Herbal Bath Salts?
Herbal bath salts are a blend of natural salts, dried herbs, and essential oils designed to be added to warm bath water. The salts (like Epsom salt, coarse sea salt, or pink Himalayan salt) help to relax sore muscles, soften skin, and draw out impurities.
The addition of herbs and essential oils brings the added benefits of herbal remedies, aromatherapy, and skin-soothing properties, turning an ordinary hot bath into a calming, natural product experience for both body and mind.
Why Make Your Own Herbal Bath Salts?
Creating your own homemade bath salts is not only cost-effective but a great way to control the main ingredients.
There are so many different combinations of essential oils, plants, herbs, and flowers that help support skin conditions, muscle relaxation, and even joint pain.
Simple Herbal Bath Salts for a Spa Day at Home
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Materials
- 2 Cups Epsom Salts also labeled as magnesium sulfate
- 1 Cup Coarse Sea Salt Dead Sea salt, or pink Himalayan salt
- ½ Cup Baking Soda sodium bicarbonate
- ¼ Cup Dried Herbs choose lavender buds, rose petals, lemon balm, calendula, or other great herbs you grow or forage
- 10-15 Drops Essential Oils try lavender essential oil or sweet orange essential oil
- 2 Tablespoons Carrier Oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the Epsom salts, sea salt, and baking soda.2 Cups Epsom Salts, 1 Cup Coarse Sea Salt, ½ Cup Baking Soda
- Add your dried flowers or herbs and mix gently.¼ Cup Dried Herbs
- In a small bowl, combine the carrier oil and essential oils. Pour this mixture into the salt blend and stir well to evenly distribute the scent and moisture.10-15 Drops Essential Oils, 2 Tablespoons Carrier Oil
- Transfer your fragrant bath salts to a mason jar, glass jar, or another airtight container.
- Store in a cool dark place. These salts have a shelf life of about 6 months if kept dry.
Notes
How to Use Herbal Bath Salts
Add ½ to 1 cup of your homemade herbal bath salts to warm bath water and soak for at least 20 minutes. The salts mixture helps ease muscle tension, while the herbal bath infusion can soothe skin irritations and promote relaxation. If you don’t want loose herbs floating around, scoop the salts into a drawstring cotton muslin bag, nylon sock, or even tea bags for a tidy herbal bath experience. You can also use a handful of salts for a facial steam or a foot soak.
Why These Herbs and Essential Oils Work So Well Together
We chose this blend of herbs and essential oils for their skin-loving properties, anti-inflammatory benefits, and aromatherapy synergy. Each one plays a special role:
- Lavender buds and lavender essential oil. Known for their calming scent, lavender helps reduce stress, ease tension headaches, and soothe irritated skin. It’s the perfect ingredient for a bedtime bath salt recipe.
- Rose petals. Gentle and luxurious, rose petals bring a soft, floral fragrance and are rich in antioxidants. They help soften skin and elevate your bath products with a touch of elegance.
- Lemon balm. This cheerful herb (also called Melissa officinalis) has mood-lifting properties and can help with mild anxiety. It’s a great herb to grow and dry for both herbal bath salts and teas.
- Calendula. With natural healing properties, calendula is especially helpful for skin irritations, dryness, and inflammation. It adds a golden glow and gentle, herbal scent.
- Sweet orange essential oil. Adds a bright, citrusy top note that blends beautifully with lavender. It brings a refreshing twist to the blend and helps boost mood—an added bonus for a post-long day soak.
Together, these ingredients support muscle relaxation, healthy skin, and mental calm. Making this herbal bath recipe more than just a soak. It’s a natural, spa-like experience right in your own bathroom.
Growing or Foraging Your Own Herbs
One of the best ways to make your DIY bath salts even more special is to incorporate fresh herbs or dried flowers you’ve harvested from your own yard or garden.
Herbs like lavender, lemon balm, rose, and mint are easy to grow and have anti-inflammatory properties that make them perfect for bath salt recipes.
Harvest herbs at the right time of year. Usually when they’re most fragrant. And dry them thoroughly before use to avoid mold in your bath products.
Variations and Add-Ins
Here are some different things you can add to personalize your herbal bath recipe:
🟢 Green Clay (for detoxifying baths)
- Amount: 1 to 2 tablespoons
- Why: Green clay is excellent for drawing out toxins and impurities from the skin. It’s rich in minerals and pairs well with magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) in a detoxifying bath milk potion.
- Tip: Avoid using metal utensils when measuring or mixing clay—it can reduce the clay’s effectiveness.
🌾 Ground Oats (for soothing skin)
- Amount: 2 to 4 tablespoons (finely ground)
- Why: Ground oats (like colloidal oatmeal) help relieve skin conditions such as eczema, itching, or dryness. They’re a great addition if your bath salts are intended for sensitive or irritated skin.
- Tip: Blend rolled oats into a fine powder using a clean small bowl and coffee grinder or blender before adding them to the mix.
🍊 Dried Citrus Peel (for fresh scent and skin tone)
- Amount: 1 to 2 tablespoons, finely chopped or ground
- Why: Citrus peel (orange or lemon) adds a fresh, uplifting scent and contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids that can brighten and tone skin.
- Tip: Use sweet orange essential oil alongside dried orange peel for a layered citrus scent.
These ingredients are optional, but they’re a great way to tailor your homemade bath salt recipe for specific needs like detox, soothing skin irritations, or lifting your mood after a long day.
Experiment with different herbs and essential oils to find your favorite combination of herbs and scents.
How to Package Bath Salts
To store or gift your homemade herbal bath salts, scoop them into a clean, dry mason jar, glass jar, or another airtight container.
This helps preserve their scent and extend their shelf life.
Add a handmade label with directions for use (e.g., “Add ½ cup to a hot bath and enjoy a relaxing soak.”), and consider decorating with ribbon or twine for homemade gifts.
For individual-use options or mess-free baths, spoon 1–2 tablespoons into drawstring cotton muslin bags or even tea bags.
These are especially handy for bath tea infusions and prevent loose herbs from clogging drains. Perfect if you’re concerned about septic tanks.
At Home SPA
Making your own homemade bath salt recipe is a great way to enjoy a hot bath, use up garden herbs, and create homemade gifts that smell and feel luxurious.
Whether you’re making a small batch for your next bath or preparing holiday jars for friends, this easy recipe brings the soothing powers of nature right into your warm water routine.
Give your body the break it deserves after a hard day. Light a candle, pour in your salts, and enjoy a relaxing soak with these herbal bath salts.
Thanks for this information.