Jewel of the Sea - DIY Winter Bath Soak
Posted by Stephaney Abilon on
"There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them." — Sylvia Plath
Water Magic: Sink into a bathtub full of healing. Here is a Do It Yourself recipe and a few tips on how to creatively blend your own bath soak. Take a long soak in the tub to warm the winter bones.
For this particular soak I've created a blend filled with ingredients I gathered on Sullivan's Island this winter. This soak smells 'heavenly'' and is named in honor of the Stella Maris Cathedral on the point of the island. Stella Maris refers to Star of the Sea.
This combination creates a heady dip for a winter mermaid when the beaches are isolated, the surf roars, and the fog rolls in.
This special bath blend contains crisp Bay Leaves (easily found in most kitchen cupboards) Cedar bits,(from trees in your yard or neighborhood) and Roses (dried or fresh, organic is good). I added essential oils of Rose Absolute, a hint of Vetiver and additional Bay Leaf. These items are stirred into a bowl of epsom salts, inexpensive and easily found at your grocery or pharmacy. I like white salts for this blend as they are reminiscent of snow and the background looks beautiful against the green and red. I also add Honey or Coconut Powder as I find it really softens the skin, but that isn't necessary, you will also want to stir in a little oil.
Ingredients (enough for one bath)
1 cup Epsom Salt.
Add Powder (if available)
2-3 Bay Leaves
Handful of roses, dried or fresh
1 Tbspn Jojoba, Sesame or Olive Oil
2 drops rose
4 drops vetiver
2 drops bay leaf
(or choose whichever essential oils you love and have on hand, but beware that certain oils, like orange oil, can cause sensitivity in the bath)
1. Gather your ingredients,, depending on where you live, you can forage the neighborhood, your kitchen cupboard or order online.
Hint: I find a good source for the powders is Starwest Botanicals, they have a variety of different powders to choose from, you can also get organic rose petals and buds from them, and your bath salts if you want to do that all under one roof.
2. In a large bowl, blend together the salt and the powder.
3. Tear up the bay leaves and add them to the mix, stirring everything in a large bowl or mortar and pestle if the salt needs breaking up. I love working with a mortar and pestle, they are essential and powerful tools to have in your apothecary. In this recipe, grinding will open up the fragrance of the bay leaves as well, as give you a deeper connection into creating the soak.
4. Add just a slight amount of oil, 1 tablespoon is good. I like Sesame in the cooler months as it is warming, Jojoba is another good choice. If you don't have either oil, you can always use olive oil which is a basic staple. I source carrier oils from a lot of different places, but these oils, in particular, I buy from Amrita or Mountain Rose Herbs. Both Organic. This adds additional moisture to the bath and body so be certain not to skip this step
5. Now complete your recipe by adding a few drops of essential oils to your ingredients. Blend and add to a warm bath.
You can blend with a variety of flowers, herbs and essential oils, choose your favorites. This particular blend just happens to be in honor of the island in the winter.
Photo of Doris Day on the phone in Pillow Talk