Sore Muscles Soak

I had the chance to take a peek at the beginning herbal class at the Herbal Academy of New England (HANE) and it looks wonderful! (If you’re reading this before August 31, you can use the coupon code LAUNCHWEEK to get 10% off of enrollment.)

The first unit has some great recipes scattered throughout and with permission from HANE, I selected this one to share with you today.

I had all of these ingredients on hand, or growing in my yard and garden, but you can also find dried herbs at places such as Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store. I bought my juniper berries while visiting a Fresh Market store. It was a total impulse buy and I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with them, so was especially happy to find this terrific project! Epsom salts and baking soda can be found in most grocery or drug stores.

Sore Muscles Soak

The original recipe reads: “This bath helps relax tense, sore muscles yet doesn’t leave you smelling of a medicinal vapor rub. The aroma will soothe frayed nerves, but won’t lull you to sleep. This is not recommended for highly sensitive skin. It will relieve soreness and aches and pains.”

My note: This smells fantastic and seems like just the thing to use next time I’m feeling a little achy and have a stuffy nose from a cold.

To make this, you’ll need:

  • 2 cups Epsom salt
  • 3/4 cup baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
  • 1 tablespoon juniper berries
  • 2 tablespoons pine needles
  • 1 tablespoon sage leaves
  • 2 tablespoons peppermint leaves
  • 10 drops eucalyptus, peppermint, or juniper essential oil
  • one 12″ x 12″ square of muslin or cheesecloth, or toe of a stocking (or sock)
  • ribbon or string

The recipe says to place the dry ingredients in the center of the cloth and add drops of essential oil. Take up the corners of the cloth and tie with a ribbon or string. Tie your herb bag over the faucet to allow warm water to run through, releasing the medicinal properties and filling the air with aromatherapy.

I gathered, then air dried my herbs for two or three days, spread out on a clean dishcloth on my kitchen counter. Next I did an extra step and whirled the herbs together in my mini food processor with about 1/4 cup coarse sea salt until finely ground, then stirred the resulting fragrant mixture into the baking soda and Epsom salts. Even though the herbs are a finer texture, you still want to tie them up into a bag, so the herb specks won’t make a mess in your tub.