Footbath: foot care and body relief

Wanderers around the world…our feet touch countless lands, allowing us to explore the places we desire. They represent the physical foundation of our body, the roots that anchor us to the earth, and for this reason, we must take care of them. Just as strong roots lead to towering and magnificent trees, healthy feet can take us anywhere. We often forget about them, perhaps because they are at the extremity of our body and our thoughts don’t pay them much attention, or maybe because they are confined within shoes.

We can make a macro distinction in the use of humanity’s feet: those who use them too much and those who use them too little.

The former spend entire days without giving them respite, except for a few moments, due to work or activities that force them to stand constantly, and the evening is the only time when they finally rest.

The latter, even if seated in comfortable chairs, reach the end of the day not feeling them anymore, tingling and almost atrophied due to the lack of movement.

The Latins said, in medio stat virtus (virtue stands in the middle), and it is precisely in the middle path that the secret lies. But if that balance is hard to achieve, a footbath is undoubtedly an excellent habit for relief.

By footbath, in Latin pediluvium, we mean “washing of the feet,” but the definition can extend to the immersion of the feet in water for therapeutic purposes.

And here lies the key: taking care of our feet to take care of our entire body.

Certainly, water alone provides relief, and by adding footbath salts, we can enjoy all the benefits of the essential oils used in their formulation. The salts absorb the essential oil molecules added to them on their crystals; all you need is a basin, salts to dissolve in water, and with the right essential oils, we’ll create a customized footbath for our needs.

Here is a list of essential oils that can be used to create footbath salts with specific characteristics and benefits:

• Fatigue Relief: Lavender, Marjoram, Lemon, Mint, Juniper
• Relaxation: Chamomile, Lavender, Bitter Orange, Swiss Pine
• Sweat Regulation: Sage, Myrtle, Bay
• Reducing Swelling: Mint, Eucalyptus, Juniper
• Circulation Improvement: Rosemary, Juniper, Yarrow, Coriander, Lemon, Pine, Rose, Thyme, Hyssop, Ginger
• Antimicrobial Action: Tea Tree, Oregano, Thyme, Mint, Marjoram

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller), in particular, is a highly versatile essential oil. It’s relaxing and sedative: a footbath with lavender salts is an excellent remedy for insomnia and to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress. It also has a fatigue-relieving effect, providing relief after a long day of work.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), on the other hand, has a balancing effect, improving the overall circulatory system. It is useful both in cases of hypertension and hypotension.

Mint (Mentha x piperita L.), besides its refreshing action, has a toning effect on capillaries. It’s excellent for swollen feet and ankles, and it also has antiseptic and antifungal properties.

Finally, balsamic essential oils like mint, eucalyptus, pine, rosemary, and savory, when combined, can create the perfect blend for footbath salts to use in the winter, combating cough and cold symptoms.

It’s worth noting that footbaths can be made using both warm and cold water: clearly, the benefits will vary based on the temperature.

– Warm footbaths: Dilate blood vessels, promote relaxation, and aid sleep. They are also recommended in case of nasal and respiratory congestion (cough and cold).

– Cold footbaths: Constrict blood vessels, have a soothing, anti-inflammatory, and refreshing effect. They are recommended for swollen ankles and fatigued legs.

For the formulation of footbath salts, one can use either whole sea salt or, alternatively, Dead Sea salts. The essential thing is to use coarse, whole, untreated, and unrefined salt. Whole sea salt has detoxifying power for the skin.

On the other hand, Dead Sea salts are rich in trace elements and have a relaxing effect. They are particularly suitable for fungal infections and irritations.

In general, to make footbath salts, the recipe is as follows:

– 250 grams coarse whole sea salt

– 20 drops of a selected essential oil blend

Preparation:

Place the salt in the jar, add the essential oils, and shake carefully. It is necessary to let it rest, stirring occasionally, for at least 4-5 days; this way, the essential oils will penetrate the salt crystals, and the formulation will be ready to use. To achieve an ideal formulation, let it rest for a week. The salts can be stored in airtight glass jars.

Here are two recipes to prepare useful salts: the first for circulation, muscles, and joints, and the second for a relaxing footbath after an intense day.

Recipe #1 – Circulation:

– 250 grams coarse whole sea salt

– 4 drops lemon essential oil (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck)

– 6 drops hyssop essential oil (Hyssopus officinalis L.)

– 6 drops rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)

– 5 drops juniper essential oil – berries, leaves, and twigs (Juniperus communis L.)

For this recipe, it is recommended to use cold water to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect and reactivate circulation.

Recipe #2 – Relaxation:

– 250 grams coarse whole sea salt

– 6 drops bitter orange essential oil (Citrus aurantium var. amara L.)

– 6 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia Miller)

– 4 drops chamomile essential oil (Matricaria recutita L.)

– 4 drops swiss pine essential oil (Pinus cembra L.)

For this recipe, it is advisable to use warm water to achieve maximum relaxation and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Use: Add 2/4 tablespoons of salts to a basin of warm or cold water. Soak your feet for about 15-20 minutes.

Caution: In both cases, the water should not be either icy or scalding. Extreme temperatures are not good for the body.

It is important to remember that essential oils are used in drops. They are highly concentrated substances with many active molecules, some of which, if used in large quantities, can have toxic effects. Therefore, it is necessary to use them with caution and, if in doubt, seek advice from experts.

FRANCESCA MILANI THOMAIN