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.
Print
Warm Mustard Bath Powder
- Yield: 3 1x
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.
Cammie
I’ve never done a bath soak but my grandmother (her grandmother was a Scot) insisted on the mustard foot soak if one got very wet and chilled or at the first sign of a cold
Laurie
I’ve tried to get the recipe on 2 different browsers on my computer and the recipe part doesn’t show up. I have to use my phone. Any ideas why?
Tina
I have tried this mustard bath and it’s amazing.. It does not hurt the private area at all no hot stinking feeling. I soaked in it for 20 mins using hot water hot as your body can take and the mustard mixture..I then took a cold shower same cold as your body can take then dried with a towel rubbing a little rougher to simulate the circulation.. I did this hour before going to bed. When I woke the next morning I felt refreshed . This is such a easy soak to make and enjoy. SO than you for sharing this..
Jenn
I tried this last night because I’m coming down with something I was congested and have a fever. My skin was soft from the baking soda, the salt soothed my muscles and I was definitely less congested. I didn’t have the oils on hand so I left it out but I’ll be doing this again today for more relief. Thanks for the remedy!
mayashetty108
This is such a cool blog, Joy, learning so much each day, never heard of this before, yet intrigued with what mustard could do and the reader comments make it even more interesting.Thank you, for a touching on every subject, totally love that aspect of this blog :)
Jennifer H
My husband did these once a month a few days after chemo and he felt so much better after a bath.
Kate
Perfect timing! I am suffering from the worst allergy attack I’ve had in years, and am already a big fan of epsom baths.
Amy
We are currently in the middle of a bath plug crisis in our house. Apparently the builder didn’t leave us with the plug that came with the bath, and the hole isn’t a standard size carried by hardware stores. Or any store.
I will find a bath plug. And then I shall have a victory soak in this gorgeous bath powder.
writely2015
Condiments of the season I say.
sweetteasweetie (@SweetTSweetie)
I have never heard of these before! What a cool idea!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Nancy Carlson
I have tea tree oil (melaleuca) Could I replace the Eucalyptus with that??
Chris
Absolutely! Tea Tree is a variety of Eucalyptus anyway, and it has more therapeutic value than most other eucalyptus oils.
Nathalie
Just finished my 2hr bath (I treat myself to one 2 a month) and just having a relaxing evening and came across your post. This will make a great addition to my next bath in 2 weeks if the weather will still be so cold! Will be trying it out :) yey, looking forward to it.
Thank you for the ,recipe, and inspiration :)
https://potsofsmiles.blogspot.co.uk/
xxxxx
dessertfortwo
I am OBSESSED with baths! Now I can add something new to my bath routine–mustard! PS I’m going for a salt-water soak in the dark in STL. We’re doing this when you come ;)
meaganleanne
I take ginger baths using similar ingredients above and it gives the same warming effect. A really good detox bath!— 2C epsom, 1C baking soda, 2T ground ginger, 1/2C ACV, and an essential oil to match the mood.