I run a Facebook group for people with chronic pain. We discuss natural health tips, as well as drug-free strategies to relieve discomfort.

Epsom salt soaks are often suggested as a quick and easy remedy. Especially when you’re “flaring.”

If you have chronic pain, you’re familiar with the concept of “flares.”

This is when your pain becomes worse than usual. It can last a day or two. Sometimes longer.

Epsom salt soaks can also be helpful for pain triggered by overusing your muscles.

Soaking in a bath with Epsom salt may help with the pain. Epsom salt contains magnesium. This is a mineral most of us don’t get enough of. Epsom salt contains a form of magnesium, which is then absorbed through the skin. (Our skin is the largest organic in the body, and it absorbs about 60 percent of what we put on it.)

One of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency is muscle cramps. This may be one reason people feel relief from soaking in Epson salt. (The warm water may be another factor.)

Pain Relieving Bath Soak Recipe

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Some people like to add baking soda to the mix. I don’t know if this relieves pain. But it seems to soften the skin. It’s also widely believed that baking soda can help draw toxins from the body. This is the same principle behind putting baking soda in your refrigerator.

I don’t know if it’s actually true that baking soda pulls toxins from the body. I have no way to verify this at home. (My house doesn’t have a laboratory.) But I have used it along with Epsom salt (and essential oils) as a natural foot soak, for this purpose.

If you suffer from pain, essential oils can be immensely helpful. I use them instead of OTC pain relievers. In my opinion they work better than medication. Plus, they don’t the potentially serious side effects.

Sore Muscle Soak With Essential Oils

Essential oils appear to have naturally occurring analgesic compounds. (Analgesic means pain reliever and this is why OTC pain medications are often classified as “analgesics.” Plus, it’s thought that essential oils can help reduce inflammation. Pain is caused by inflammation. If you can reduce it, pain subsides.

Adding plant extracts to bath soaks is a time-honored practice. It was one of the favorite healing methods of Father Sebastian Kneipp, considered one of the founders of modern naturopathic medicine.

Father Kneipp lived in Germany during the 1800’s, but still has a following today. While alive, he created a product line, which is still available today. Among his natural remedies are mineral salts designed for the bath. These are made with mineral salts and plant extracts. You can read more about Father Kneipp here.

Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that soaking with minerals and plant extracts has a long history. Dr. Kneipp products can be ordered online. But they’re expensive. It’s so much easier to make your own bath soak, with Epsom salt, baking soda and a special essential oil blend.

Essential Oil Bath Soak for Sore Muscles

It’s really easy to make a sore muscle soak, with just three ingredients. Plus a clean glass jar to store it in. You’ll want to use a glass jar, instead of a plastic container. That’s because essential oils are very strong. They can eat away at plastic. So glass is the better choice.

Here’s a DIY recipe for an all natural sore muscle soak with essential oils.

One 16 ounce glass jar with lid

Epsom salt

Baking soda

20 drops of Natures Fusions Cooling Waters Anti-Inflammatory Blend. You can use other essential oils but this is a highly effective pain relief formula that works really well for me. I think you will like it too. You may not be able to find it at your local health food store. But it’s available online.

Even though I order other essential oils from different companies, this pain relief blend is superior to anything else I’ve tried.

Fill the jar 3/4 of the way with Epsom salt. Fill the rest with baking soda, and add 20 drops of Natures Fusions Cooling Waters Anti-Inflammatory Blend.

Then add 1/4 cup to a warm bath. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.

Natures Fusions Cooling Waters

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.