Do you have plans for the weekend?
It’s early yet. It’s only Thursday, but I love a plan.
On a recent trip to Asheville, my friend Ashley introduced me to the time-tested wonders of a mustard bath. Upon reviewing that last sentence in my head, it might sound as though my friend Ashley bathed me… which she did not because I am grown and fully capable.
Mustard baths are traditional in England (as the Internet tells me) and often used as a cold or flu creeps into your system. Typical Winter troubles. A mustard bath warms the insides and as the body warms, it sweats, creating a natural detox. I’ve added Epsom salt to soothe achy muscles, baking soda to soften the skin, and eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils to promote deep breathing and clear thoughts. Plus… the warm water of a bath is just soothing in general.
To enhance you weekend bath, might I also suggest the new Netflix series Love and a glass of wine? Oh. And while you’re at the drug store buying Epsom salts, please note that it is Easter season… which is the best candy season of the year. Ok good.
The baking soda might be lumpy. There’s two options here: leave it lumpy because it’s going into a big hot bath and will dissolve or break it down using your fingers.
A soak for heat and comfort and soothing and ease.
It’s Winter. Let’s warm.
PrintWarm Mustard Bath Powder
- Yield: 3
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Epsom salt
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup mustard powder
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil (optional)
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together salt, baking soda, mustard powder, and essential oils. Use your fingers to break up any baking soda lumps. Store in an airtight container.
- When ready to run a bath, add 1 heaping cup of mustard mixture to a hot running bath. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse off in warm water. Bundle in warm clothes and have a cup of tea. Stay warm and let your body sweat and relax as part of the detox bath process.
Sarah
My mother endured mustard plasters on her chest for bronchitis in the era before antibiotics. Rough on the skin but very effective for illness. Now where does one get mustard powder in such large quantities?
Janine
Hi Sarah, try any Indian spice store or go to bulkapothecary.com
christinalfrutiger
This does sound like it would be quite warming but I’m also wondering if it might be a little too warming on the umm lady parts? As in kind of stingy?? Someone please try this and let us know! :)
Yes, I think this bath accompanied by a hot dog and some fries would be perfect!! :)
joythebaker
totally not stingy! my lady parts tested it.
Katie
I used to work in a British import shop and an English customer once told me that if you have terrible period cramps, soaking your feet in a mustard bath helps draw the blood from your lady areas down to your feet. I’m not sure how effective it is but she and her daughters swore by it.
Considering The Radish
I am both slightly suspicious and very interested by this mustard bath. It’s been a warm winter here (32 degrees today! Woohoo!), but I may still have to try this.
Phillip || SouthernFATTY.com
I have neeeever heard of a mustard bath, but this makes me want to give it a go. It would be totally acceptable to eat some fries while in a mustard bath, right? ;)
Chris
It’s a British thing. Soaking your feet in hot mustard bath was a common old fashioned treatment for colds and also to help prevent a cold if you ‘got chilled’ or felt as if you might be coming down with something.
Patty
Hey Joy
Dad said Granddad took these when he wasn’t feeling well.
Kristin
Wow, sounds very interesting – I am definitely going to try this. And now I’ve got a hankering for a hot dog, for some reason.
Erin P
I guess there’s actually only one option… leave it lumpy :) Very interesting idea
lainecidlowski
Love it, and bring back the activated charcoal drink too! I like that the blog is and actual cross section of stuff you’re into and not just only food cause someone random on the internet feels like it should be a just a food blog. You’re not uni-dimensional. Sheesh. In other words, preach on mustard bath!
Debbie
I love Joy! great idea
Eline (Tuk's Kitchen)
Oh I love this idea! Also nice in bath: a little cheesecloth bag filled with oatmeal for a soft skin, now that we’re talking food in bath-tub. :)
DisplacedHousewife
I’ve never heard of such a thing. Completely intrigued…and also wondering if you smell afterwards…
Dana
How do you smell afterward………? Like a sandwich? How does the mustard smell with the essential oils? :) Very interesting. Thank you.
Beth
A mustard soak has no prepared mustard (which is made with vinegar). It has a light fragrance from the essential oils and that’s pretty much it.
cheeseandchinese
So cool, I’ve never heard of this before!
Nadia
My grandmother swore by these.