If you’re feeling the sneezing, watery eyes, and itchy nose of springtime allergies, you’re not alone! The bright, sunny days of summer are right around the corner, but if your allergies are killing you now, there’s no reason to wait until then to start feeling better. Not only are these DIY bath bombs easy to make with just three ingredients, they also treat allergy symptoms while you enjoy some relaxing time in the tub.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are naturally occurring compounds found in plants, tree leaves, flowers, roots, and bark. They often have a strong aroma and medicinal properties that can be used for cooking, skin care, meditation and aromatherapy.
These oils are very potent and should be diluted in a carrier oil before applying directly on skin or taken internally as they can have negative effects when used undiluted. Though they can have calming effects when used as a scent diffuser or bath bomb ingredient.
How do essential oils work?
Essential oils come from the seed, flower, root, or other parts of a plant. These oils can be used in aromatherapy and in medicinal applications as well. When you use essential oils on the skin they are absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream almost immediately. Lavender essential oil is calming and relaxing when inhaled from a bath bomb. How do I use essential oils at home? Purchasing an essential oil diffuser and burning a candle is the simplest way to infuse your space with fragrance and purify the air. Both methods can be used as complementary remedies for allergies, headaches, colds, flu, asthma and general wellness. You can diffuse essential oils or add a few drops into the tea light of your aromatherapy candle.
If you want something a little more intense than this you can opt for a luxury bath bomb made from all natural ingredients like coconut oil, Epsom salt, and finely ground coffee that will release fresh fragrances when it fizzes under running water.
Recipe for Homemade Bath Bombs with Essential Oils
There are all sorts of uses for homemade luxury bath bombs, but here's a recipe for allergy relief. You'll need: Epsom salt (1/2 cup), cornstarch (1/4 cup), baking soda (1 teaspoon), distilled water (2 tablespoons), rubbing alcohol (1 tablespoon).
If you want, add your favorite lavender essential oil, peppermint, or tea tree oil. First, mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir until they're combined and there are no clumps. Then whisk in the wet ingredients. Let it sit and then stir again to fully combine everything together. The mixture should look sticky and pasty now; moldable almost.