With winter already upon us, this is such a lovely herbal home recipe to keep us warm, to reduce any aches or pains and to help boost circulation and the immune system.
In Ayurvedic herbal medicine, mustard seed is considered to be a swedojanan herb, used to promote sweating of the body.
Therefore, if you have a cold or flu, this is a great way to assist the body in eliminating toxins through our largest organ of elimination, the skin.
The Epsom salts have a drawing quality. They enhance detoxification and promote relaxation.
You can also have a full body bath, in which case you will just need to triple the ingredients.
You can buy Epsom salts from your local health store. Mustard powder can be purchased from an Indian spice shop or you can ground your own mustard seeds.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts
- 2 teaspoons of mustard powder
- 3-4 litres of hot water
- Use about 5 drops of any essential oil of your choice, such as, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender.
Soak your feet for about 20 minutes in the mixture, topping up with hot water as needed.
You may also like drink to drink a pot of herbal tea such as lemon and ginger tea with a little honey.
After the foot bath, you may like to stimulate the sinuses on the reflexes of the feet using some reflexology.
This will help bring circulation to those areas and release any sinus congestion.
Simply rub firmly the area underneath the big toenail, and all toes on the fleshy part above the toenail. Pay particular attention to the areas that are tender.
Michelle – reflexologist & kinesiologist