Bath Bombs, Soaks & New Skills!
Thank you everyone that came to the Mother Earth News Fair in Topeka, KS this October. It was my first time to Kansas and I will be back! I loved the area — Topeka is the capital city. The fair was amazing with so many great speakers and hands-on workshops. The fairs are the perfect place to connect and learn new skills or up the ones you already have.
I spoke on my favorite topics DIY beauty and Garden Beauty. My hands on workshop sold out! We made clay masks using Rhaussoul mud an herbal bath soak and bath bombs.
Here are the recipes if you missed out. Also the dates are now up for next year's fairs. I hope to see you in 2019 as I am working on some new info and another great "hands-on" workshop.
“DIY Bath Bombs, Soaks, & Natural Face Masks”
Janice Cox – Natural Beauty From The Garden (Ogden)
Soaking in a bath or “Hydrotherapy” has been used for centuries to refresh overworked muscles, treat skin conditions and soothe tired minds. New scientific evidence proves that a good soak does indeed benefit your body and mind. Recipes to try at home:
Basic Clay Facial Mask
Clay or mud masks are some of the oldest natural beauty treatments still used today. They help deep cleanse and balance your skin and can be customized to meet individual needs. There are several natural clays available today Fuller’s Earth, Kaolin , French Green, Bentonite, and Rhassoul mud. Each one is a bit different in mineral content but the recipe is the same.
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons natural clay
1-2 Tablespoons pure water
Directions:
Mix the clay and water until you have a smooth creamy mixture. To use: Spread on clean skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes, rinse well with warm water and follow with a cool water rinse, pat your skin dry.
Yield: 1 ounce
Variations:
Try using an herbal tea or tea blend in place of the water
Add a bit of honey, aloe vera gel, or avocado to your mixture
Recipe can be doubled and used as a body mask
Herbal “Tub Tea”
Nothing could be easier than creating a bath out of your favorite herbs or herbal blends. Simply fill a muslin bag with a few chosen herbs, hang it under your bath spout as you fill your tub and relax.
Here are some suggested blends:
Stimulating – rosemary, lavender, peppermint
Relaxing – chamomile, elderflower, angelica
Refreshing – basil, lemon balm, mint
Invigorating – raspberry leaves, bay leaves, mugwort
Cleansing – sage, thyme, lemon verbena
Directions:
Mix together the desired herbs. You may also use herbs individually. To use: Fill a large muslin sack, or square of cotton fabric with the dried herbs. Tie up and Hang under your bath spout as you run your bath, letting the water flow through it. Gently squeeze your “tub tea” bag or allow to float in your bath as you bathe. After bathing discard the herbs and rinse your bag which can be reused.
Yield: 2-4 ounces
Super Muscle Soothing Salts
This is a good bath after a day of strenuous physical activity. You can feel your muscles relaxing while you bathe. It can be a bit drying to your skin so remember to use a natural oil or body lotion after bathing.
Ingredients:
1 cup Epsom salt
1 cup sea salt
1 cup baking soda
Directions: Mix together all ingredients and pour into a clean container. To use: Start filling your bath and pour the salts under the running water. Allow the salts to dissolve. Step into the bath and relax for 15 to 20 minutes.
Yield: 24 ounces
Basic Bath Bomb
Bath Bombs are fun to create and give as gifts as people will delight in the fizzy effects and skin soothing benefits when dropped in their bath. Have fun experimenting with shapes, scents, and different herbs in creating your own unique bath bombs. For molds you can use muffin tins, candy molds or plastic molds. Ingredients:
1 cup citric acid powder
1 cup baking soda
1 /2 cup cornstarch
1 /4 cup tablespoons Epsom salts
1 /2 cup hop infused coconut oil melted (or plain coconut oil)
2-3 drops essential oil (optional)
dried herbs and spices (optional)
Directions:
In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients. If you want a color you can add to the dry ingredients and stir slowly. You may also add a tablespoon of dried herbs. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave or on the stovetop. You may add some essential oils to the melted oil for scent. Slowly add to the dry ingredients and mix well you will have a mixture that looks like wet sand. I use my hands but a small spoon or fork works. Then pack the mixture tightly in a mold — I use a plastic ball mold that comes apart in two halves, but you can use anything muffin tins, silicon molds, cookie cutters. I un-mold after about 10 minutes and place my bombs on a cotton dish cloth on a tray and let them dry overnight. You could also leave in the mold overnight. To use: Drop in a tub full of warm water and enjoy!
Tips:
Grease molds with coconut oil
Do not use any water and make sure all our equipment is dry
You can spray the mixture with alcohol or witch hazel to rewet.
Yield: 16 ounces, about 6 bombs
