The main reason many take a bath is to relax. Adding salts to your bath can be therapeutic to the skin and mentally healing. It really depends on the salt used to get certain types of benefits. In this recipe, we are going to be using Epsom salt.
But first! I want to showcase this photo in my blog. My friend Peggy took this picture and I thought, "I HAVE to find a recipe so I can use this picture for my next blog post". This is when I decided to blog about my Warming Milk Bath recipe since we still have some winter left.
I am thankful my friend was so sweet to let me use it for this blog post, and I gave her the well-deserved photo credit. She is an amazing photographer! So here it is without the blend in its view. 😊 Great picture, right?
Let’s get to this recipe!
Ingredients
1 cup Epsom salts
1 cup powdered milk (or 2 cups liquid milk)
2 drops each of the following essential oils
1 teaspoon carrier oil
- I prefer avocado (Persea americana)
Directions
Blend the powdered milk and Epsom salts together.
Combine essential oil(s) and carrier oil first, then stir into dry ingredients.
Add the mixture to the tub when it is the point where you are about to shut off the water. Pour the mixture under the running water. Basically, it is around the time your tub is just about finished filling and you want the Epsom salt dissolved right before you are about to step in.
Soak in this magical goodness for 20-30 minutes. This is around the time your tub starts cooling off as well.
Why these ingredients?
Epsom salt is made from the mineral magnesium sulfate.
Epsom salts are popular in supporting the body's ability to soothe aching joints and muscles.
This is my go-to place for Epsom salt.
Powdered milk is one of my favorites to use in place of liquid milk due to having a longer shelf life. I like how the powdered milk mixes evenly throughout the salts.
Milk in a bath doesn't cure or treat any skin conditions but can help provide support and relief for many skin conditions such as dry skin or sunburns. If you do plan on using liquid milk, get the full fat or whole milk.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil has a heavy, sweet rose-like floral scent.
This essential oil has many uses and why it is perfect for this bath recipe. Geranium is helpful for balancing all skin types, such as those prone to redness and irritation.
This essential oil has a sedative effect but can also aid in the release of blocked emotional energy.
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) essential oil has a spicy, warm, and sweet scent. Historically cardamom has been used for digestive support.
This essential oil provides soothing and balancing actions.
Cardamom essential oil is also stimulating to the body which makes it a great addition for cold-weather blends such as this recipe.
Avocado (Persea americana) oil is easily absorbed by the skin. A wonderful emollient for the skin.
This oil can be used for all skin types, especially for those with dry, fragile, or mature skin. It is also great for the scalp if you feel like dunking your head in the bathwater.
Now for the recipe adjustments!
If you don’t have Epsom salt, or don’t like the feel of Epsom salt on your skin, check out my All About the Salts section to find one that fits your needs.
My daughter doesn’t like the feel of Epsom salt on her skin. She likes Himalayan salt.
If you are not using powdered milk, and prefer liquid milk, blend it with carrier oil and essential oils step. There are so many kinds of liquid milk to choose from, such as nut or coconut milk. Buttermilk, which comes in a powder is another option to use in this recipe.
If you do not want to use or have avocado oil, you can use other carrier oils such as; coconut, almond, jojoba, or olive oil.
Cautions
If you have a milk allergy, avoid it unless you opt for a plant-based milk alternative in this recipe.
If you plan on using a milk bath for your children, do not use this recipe for children under the age of 10 due to one of the essential oils. Instead, just use the warm water and milk or keep reading for the kiddo’s adjustments.
Since there is oil in this recipe, be careful! The tub may be slippery when you try to exit the bathtub.
Now for the kiddos!
Remove the cardamon essential oil from this recipe. It is not suggested for kids under 10 years old based on high 1,8-cineole content which can cause slowed respiration or breathing problems in some children. Essential oils in a bath can intensify their effects, so it is best to avoid them.
The geranium essential oil is fine to use on kids ages 2 and older in this milk bath recipe.
First and foremost, talk to your kid’s pediatrician before you plan on using an Epsom salt bath. There could be a reason why your pediatrician may not recommend it or recommend a different measurement to put into your child’s bath.
I tried looking for a good resource on the right amount to use on kids down to babies. I couldn’t find one that made me feel comfortable recommending for this blog post. It looks like the common denominator on the maximum amount of Epsom salt used in a bath for kids down to babies is 2 cups in a full bath. I can tell you, 2 cups for me as an adult is way too much. I don’t like the way I feel after or how it feels on my skin.
So, I am going to tell you what I did for my kids regardless of what is out on the internet. I also discussed with my kid’s pediatrician at the time, just to get her medical opinion. She liked the approach I used, so this I something you can try as well.
I started using Epsom salt baths on my twins at age 4 months when they started teething to give them extra support. I started with footbaths using ½ tablespoon of Epsom salt. They just loved kicking the water all over mommy! Then at 6 months, when they were able to sit up themselves, I did a tablespoon of Epsom salt in the bath. I didn’t want to do too much since kids love to lick the bathwater. Then by age 2, I did 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt. Lastly by age 4, they were up to 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of Epsom salt. I did this amount for a few more years, and only did these types of baths once a week.
The reason I went this slow, is that I wanted to see if they would react or if they felt icky due to it being too much for their bodies. Like I mentioned above, I didn’t like the feel of 2 cups, so I felt at some point they wouldn’t like it. I wanted to find their sweet spot! For my kids, now age 9, their sweet spot is ½ cup of Epsom salt.
If you tried this recipe, leave a comment. I would love to know what you thought of this milk bath ❤️
Thank you for reading!
Love and Nature,
Nicole
Remember: The contents of this blog post are intended for educational and informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. Click here to read more about my medical/FDA disclaimers.
References:
DerSarkissian, C. MD. (2021, July 26). Medical Review. [Review of the article Why Take an Epsom Salts Bath?, by L. Rath]. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/epsom-salt-bath
Cobb, C. DNP. (2019, February 26). Medical Review. [Review of the article What Are the Benefits of a Milk Bath, How Do You Take One, and Is It Safe?, by J. Chertoff]. Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/milk-bath#benefits
My studies through Aromahead Institute and ACHS clinical aromatherapy certification programs.
Aromahead Institute. (n.d.). Aromatherapy Certification Program. [Courses]. Aromahead Institute. https://courses.aromahead.com/aromatherapy-certification-program
American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). (n.d.). Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy [Courses]. ACHS. https://achs.edu/programs/online-graduate-certificate-aromatherapy/
Petersen, D. (2016). Aromatherapy Materia Medica. American College of Healthcare Sciences.
Parker, S. (2014). Power of the Seed. Process Media.
Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety. (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.
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