Winter. The season where baths come into their own. If you’re a chilly mortal like me then you’ll know that sometimes a long soak in a hot bath feels like the only way to get warm to your very bones. But what if that soak could do more than warm you up? Add the right products to your tub and you could be reaping a whole host of extra benefits.
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes
We can’t talk about baths without talking about magnesium. Many of us are unknowingly magnesium-deficient and yet it is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and plays a key role in muscle relaxation and nerve signalling, energy production, blood-sugar regulation, stress resilience and sleep quality, and reducing inflammation. If you’re dealing with chronic pain or inflammation, poor sleep, muscle tension, stress, anxiety, and burnout, skin conditions like eczema/psoriasis, or if you have trouble switching off your mind at night, magnesium is a must.
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes are made from magnesium chloride (derived from the Zechstein seabed) – a form of magnesium that is particularly well suited to trans-dermal use because it dissolves very easily in water, has a relatively low molecular weight, and naturally dissociates into magnesium and chloride ions – all of which appear to support more efficient absorption through the skin via hair follicles and sweat glands. I certainly feel the effects quite quickly. It’s one of the simplest ways to support deep muscular relaxation and recovery, help reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation, improve sleep quality and nervous-system regulation, and feel noticeably calmer.
Once magnesium is inside the body, it is used in exactly the same way regardless of the form it came from – the body only cares about the magnesium ion itself – so magnesium absorbed as chloride can be taken up into cells, stored in tissues and bone, and retained just as effectively as magnesium from food or supplements. Hence, bathing in Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes is a great way to treat magnesium deficiencies too.
Flewd’s Insomnia Ending Bath Soak
Flewd’s Insomnia Ending Bath Soak is an absolute must if I’ve had a stressful day and want to be sure of a good night’s sleep. Again it’s a hefty dose of magnesium that’s packing the punch here, but this one also includes Vitamins A and E to support nervous-system recovery after long, overstimulating days and L-Carnitine to support overnight energy restoration, so you don’t feel drained the next morning. It’s recommended to soak for 15 minutes but that’s harder than it sounds as it really does make you sweat! Stick with it though because this soak really lives up to its name. I always go straight to bed after bathing to maximise the benefits and I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. And I sleep like a log. It just works.
HigherDOSE Seratonin Soak, as the name suggests, is intended to reduce stress and boost your mood. It’s another one that is rich in magnesium, meaning that it will relax the body, calm the mind and ease sore muscles – a perfect option for bedtime. This bath soak uses magnesium Zechstein flakes, named after their origin in the ancient Zechstein seabed beneath what is now the North Sea. According to the brand, this source provides a form of magnesium that is highly bioavailable and free from contaminants. HigherDOSE Seratonin Soak also contains French Green Clay, which is an excellent source of trace minerals and softens the skin, and Apple Cider Vinegar, which soothes irritated skin, restores your skin’s natural pH, and supports your skin’s protective barrier. Although the clay does make this bath soak a little messy, don’t let that put you off. This nutrient-dense soak feels seriously therapeutic and it even softens my really dry skin.
Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath is seriously therapeutic and is hands-down my favourite detox bath. It makes me sweat like crazy and it’s my soak of choice when I can feel a cold coming on. I’ve also found it to be super effective at relieving menstrual cramps – and coming from someone with endometriosis, that’s no mean feat. This stuff works!
This information is straight from the label:
Dr. Singha used this therapeutic, aromatic and alkaline formula clinically in England for 40 years with excellent results, helping people to eliminate acid waste and balance their pH.
Traditionally, Mustard is renowned for its stimulating, cleansing and rejuvenating qualities. The hot alkaline water together with the Mustard assists the largest organ of elimination, the skin, to release impurities.
Dr. Shyam Singha, well-known Master Acupuncturist, Osteopath, Naturopath and Ayurvedic Physician, recommended his Ayurvedic formula as an aid in relieving many ailments. These include Stress, Muscle and Joint Soreness, Congestion, Skin Conditions, Periodic Tensions and Sleeplessness.
Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath contains certified organic mustard seed powder, esssential oils (eucalyptus, rosemary, wintergreen & thyme) and gum benzoin in a base of sodium carbonate. And it smells really good.
To get the best results you really do have to follow the instructions. You add two scoops to a hot bath and relax for 20 minutes. Keep the bath hot and try to stay fully submerged up to your neck the whole time – which is harder than it sounds as it really does make you sweat. Finish with a cold shower – which is a real shock to the system and it can be tempting to skip this step, but don’t! Then dry yourself with a rough towel to exfoliate and boost your circulation. As an optional extra, massage with Dr. Singha’s Mustard Rub – a warming oil that will further assist in opening the pores and eliminating impurities. After your bath, rest and keep warm. You’ll continue to sweat!
Susanne Kaufmann’s Herbal Whey Bath
Susanne Kaufmann’s Herbal Whey Bath is pure luxury. The whey is a natural exfoliant which gently exfoliates your skin while you simply lie back and relax. I am literally obsessed with how soft, silky and smooth it leaves my skin. And it smells amazing too. If that’s not enough, this bath also claims therapeutic benefits. Lime blossom and chamomile extracts reduce irritation, calm inflammation, and enhance the skin’s elasticity.
Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath Oil
Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath Oil smells absolutely amazing and is a great choice after a workout. The essential oil blend combines aromatic rosemary, warming ginger and spicy black pepper – all intended to relieve tired and aching limbs and muscles. I massage this oil all over my body before stepping into the bath, and I will often add magnesium flakes to the bath too since they also work to ease sore muscles and reduce inflammation. And don’t worry – a light oil application does not meaningfully reduce trans-dermal magnesium uptake.
If you haven’t yet experienced the Kate McLeod Breathe Pebbles then you’re in for a treat! They are simply heaven for dry skin. One pebble is enough for even the largest bath tub and will melt to release a nutrient-rich blend of cocoa butter, luxurious plant-based oils, and natural exfoliants. It hydrates and exfoliates your skin as you soak and I can tell you that that little pebble really does pack a punch. My skin feels so soft and moisturised after bathing that I can skip the body lotion and hop straight into bed. The eucalyptus scent is amazing too and these pebbles are especially great if you are feeling congested with allergies or a cold.
Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak
Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak is super hydrating and leaves even my very dry skin feeling silky smooth and soft. The coconut milk powder has anti-inflammatory properties too, so it’s really soothing for inflamed areas skin. It certainly makes for a luxurious and indulgent bath, and I love the faint coconut and vanilla scent too.
