A salt foot bath is a great way to relax and pamper your feet after a long day. It can also be used to promote foot health and treat certain medical conditions, such as eczema and athlete's foot.
Below, learn more about the benefits of salt foot baths and how to make your own.
Benefits of a Salt Foot Bath
What are the health benefits of a salt foot bath? A foot bath with high quality salt can help soften and exfoliate your skin, relieve stress, and help you feel relaxed. Other health benefits include:
- Reduces bacteria and fungal growth that may cause skin conditions
- Treats or reduces symptoms of eczema and athlete's foot
- Eases muscle soreness and cramps
- Soothes pain and inflammation associated with injuries, arthritis and gout
- Improves circulation to prevent blood clots
- Softens skin to remove splinters
- Reduces foot odor
- Improves sleep
In addition, foot baths are also believed to help with detox by drawing toxins out of the body.
Popular Types of Salt Foot Baths
Many people use Epsom salts in their bath or foot soak. Epsom salt is a natural substance that contains magnesium sulfate and has a crystallized structure.
Bamboo salt is another popular salt used in foot baths. Considered the highest quality and healthiest salt on the planet, bamboo salt is made by roasting sea salt in bamboo stalks over a fire to remove toxins and increase the therapeutic properties of sea salt. Unlike regular Epsom salt, bamboo salt contains 70+ beneficial minerals and has been proven to have numerous medicinal benefits, positively impacting your oral health, digestion, immunity, skin, and more.
How to Make a Salt Foot Bath
Here's a recipe to make your own salt foot bath:
- Fill a basin with a gallon or filtered water
- Add three teaspoons of bamboo salt or a half cup of Epsom salt to the gallon of water and mix thoroughly
- Soak your feet in this mixture for about 20 minutes
- Afterward, rinse your feet well and dry them with a clean towel
If you suffer from a fungal infection, consider adding a few drops of eucalyptus, tea tree, or antimicrobial essential oil to your foot bath. This can help kill the fungus and prevent further growth, which can cause additional irritation.
Foot baths have a variety of health benefits, but should only be used on occasion. Frequent foot baths may dry out the skin. If you have diabetes, you should also consult your doctor before trying a foot bath or detox.