A Tea Party for Your Feet

Have you ever had a tea party for your feet? It might sound silly, but there really is nothing nicer! My mother started the tradition of foot baths in our family when I was a young girl. They were considered a soothing treat and were often followed by a nice foot massage. It was something our family enjoyed on Friday nights after a long, busy week. A hot foot bath, a foot massage, and cups of warm tisane were a great way to unwind and relax. Mother also used foot baths therapeutically when someone in the family was sick. Hot and cold foot baths were alternated to relieve head and chest congestion. It was thought that the additional circulation sped up the healing process. A hot and cold foot bath involved a large basin or bucket that was placed on a towel on the floor. The water level started low in the bucket with comfortably warm water.  A tea kettle simmered on the stove top and as the water in the bucket cooled, hot water from the kettle replenished the water supply in the bucket. Over time, as the feet adjusted to the hot water, more tolerance could be endured and the water in the bucket went from warm to hot. Sometimes Epsom salts or essential oils were added to the hot water to enhance the experience. More often dried herbs, dried petals, powdered milk, or baking soda was added in a little muslin bag, creating a foot bath tea that was milky and soothing. The longer the soak, the greater the benefit. River rocks or marbles added to the bottom of the bucket added texture and an easy massage as the feet were rubbed back and forth against them. After 20 or 30 minutes, mother would insist that it was healthiest if we cooled our feet down quickly by a brisk, cold dash in another basin of water. Often it contained ice! Sister and I thought it was torture, but it did feel wonderful afterwards. Once done, a dry, fluffy towel was used to dry the entire foot, including spaces between the toes. Then, a fragrant, botanical lotion massaged on the feet created a little bit of heaven! There's nothing like a foot bath tea party for your feet!

Nowadays the foot bath is a rare occurrence. Maybe life is too busy? Or maybe it's that I've discovered how easy and pleasant it is to get a pedicure in town, complete with jets, hot water, and gentle massage. The principle is the same.

Would you like a recipe for a stimulating foot bath tea? Here's one that I enjoy that I call Minty Foot Soak.

A basin or bucket of very warm water

12 drops of peppermint pure essential oils

1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves from the garden (or 1/8 cup dried peppermint tea, bulk)

1/4 cup Epsom salts

1 cup brewed green tea

The mint leaves can be placed in a tea sac or muslin bag if you wish, although I don't mind if they float around in the bath. The peppermint is stimulating and aids the circulation. And the menthol in the mint reduces muscle pain. Green tea has antioxidant qualities that absorb through the skin.

Soak for 20 - 30 minutes, adding hot water as needed.

Follow with a quick dash of ice cold water and dry feet well.

Bath Salts

Salts added to baths have therapeutic benefits.  Salts help to mineralize the water and to add buoyancy.   Recently Kelly Rippa shared her simple recipe for a therapeutic bath that she claims helps eliminate symptoms of a cold.  She fills a tub with hot water and adds 2 cups of Epsom salts and 1 bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Although she didn't mention it, adding 8 - 10 drops of eucalyptus oil would make it even better! Having a cupboard filled with these raw ingredients makes taking a mineral salt bath simple, but sometimes it's nice to have a pre-measured container of salts in a pretty container nearby. Here's a simple recipe for homemade bath salts:


4 cups of sea salt
2 tsp. vegetable oil
10 - 14 drops of essential oil of your choice
food coloring (I prefer to use dry, powdered food coloring because it doesn't add moisture)


Place all the ingredients in a gallon zip-lock bag and shake well. Then pour into a pretty glass jar and lid. Add a scoop and enjoy in a hot bath!

Selecting Herbs for Tea

Herbs for bath TEA can be found in many places. Check your kitchen cupboard, your garden, or the shelf at your local health food store. Here are some examples of herbs that can be added to your bath TEA.

Basil, Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Strawberry Leaves, Sage, Catnip, Comfrey, Spearmint, Chervil, Rose, Rosemary, Calendula, Savory, Horsetail, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Marjoram, Jasmine, Orange Peel, Lemon Verbena, Eucalyptus, Violets, Bay Leaf, Hops, Valerian Root


If you don't have time to make an infusion or decoction, simple place your choice of herbs into a heat-sealable tea bag or a draw-string muslin bag and float in a tub of hot water.

Bath Tea

With cooler temperatures, soaking in a hot bath can be warming and relaxing. Make it into a bath TEA and the essence of luxury is achieved! Not only are they therapeutic for the skin, but they are soothing for the soul. Add a pot filled with hot tea beside your favorite teacup at tubs edge, and you'll feel like you are living in the lap of luxury!


The first ingredient for a bath TEA is water. Just as water for tea (the beverage) is to be treated just so (pure and heated to exactly 212 degrees F), water for a bath TEA is just as particular. It should be at 97 - 98 degrees F., a temperature that closely matches that of the human body. This allows for a bath that promotes circulation and healthy detoxification.


Once the water has been drawn and is at the proper temperature, it is time to add the TEA herbs. There are two methods by which to do this. They are infusion and decoction.


To make an infusion bath TEA:  boil a teakettle of water, then pour over selected herbs.  Steep for 10 - 15 minutes, then strain through a cheesecloth. Gently pour the infused tea into hot bath water. Infusions work very well for herbal leaves, flowers, and buds.


To make a decoction bath TEA:  fill a saucepan with water and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Add herbs and simmer for 30 minutes. Then, strain thorugh a cheesecloth. Gently pour the infused tea into hot bath water.  Decoctions work especially well for roots and bark.

All parts of herbal plants can be used to create a bath TEA. Try making a decoction of roots and bark, then pour the decoction over a selection of fragrant leaves and flowers. Let this steep for 15 minutes and then pour into a hot bath. 


Immerse yourself in luxury! Allow the herbal essences to ease away aches and pains, to moisturize your skin, aid your circulation, and renew your spirit.

Relaxation Body Salt Scrub

 

There's nothing nicer after a busy week than spending some time in quiet reflection and rest.  I love these words from Isaiah which remind us to take some time away from a hectic pace.  "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."  [Isaiah 30:15].  With the spinning activities of the holiday season, this is an especially good reminder.

A little recipe to help you soak into some quiet reflection and relaxation can be mixed up quickly at your kitchen sink.  Using the shower gel and lotion from your favorite fragrance combo, create this easy body scrub:

Relaxation Body Salt Scrub

2 cups sea salt

3 Tbsp. sesame oil

2 1/2 Tbsp. favorite bath & shower gel

4 1/2 Tbsp. favorite lotion (in same fragrance as shower gel)

Stir the ingredients together and place in a pretty little dish or jar.  Place by bathtub.  Relax with a bubble bath --- and scrub with these fragrant salts!  There's something about your favorite fragrance that can help sooth frazzled nerves and tired feet and legs.  Enjoy!

A Spa for Your Feet

A Spa for Your Feet

A soothing food bath enhances body circulation and boosts drainage of the lymphatic system. This benefits overall health and is helpful in the treatment and prevention of colds, flu, and headaches. Although alternating the treatment of feet by soaking first in hot and then cold tubs of water, the addition of warming and cooling oil blends augment the experience. Recipes using pure essential oils may vary, but two that are especially soothing are:

The Warming Blend

1 drop ginger essential oil
2 drops clove essential oil
1 drop peppermint essential oil
1 Tbsp. almond or olive oil

The Cooling Blend

1 drop Mandarin essential oil
1 drop lemon grass essential oil
1 Tbsp. almond or olive oil

Instructions for foot bath:

Gather two large basins. Fill one with hot water and another with cold water. Ice cubes can be added to the cold water if desired. Add the warming oil blend to the hot water and the cooling blend to the cold water. Sit comfortably and submerge your feet in the hot tub for one minute. Then plunge your feet quickly into the cool basin and hold there for one minute. Repeat this process at least 2 to 3 more times. Remove your feet from the cool basin last and pat try with a dry towel. Moisturize feet with lotion and put on warm socks to keep feet warm. Relax and enjoy the benefits of the spa treatment. Repeat the process several times; morning and night if necessary.