How to Make Bath & Body Stuff

Homemade baths salts from Martha Stewart

The ancient Greeks soaked in bath salts to reduce muscle tension and heal various ailments. Put a signature spin on a civilized tradition by whipping up a personalized batch yourself. If salts aren't your thing, consider scented bath water. It will add all the benefits of aromatherapy without drying your skin like some soaps can.

Things You'll Need

• Sea salt
• Aromatic bath oil
• Dried herbs
• Spice sachet
• Decorative glass container
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Spoon four cups of sea salt into a bowl along with several drops of an aromatic bath oil. Tea tree, lavender or eucalyptus oils make nice additions and are readily available at Kmart, Wal-Mart and bath and beauty retailers.

   Mix the salts and oils together thoroughly.

2. Add pinches of aromatic herbs, such as lavender or chamomile, to the salts and stir. If you would prefer the herbs not float in the bath water, gather small quantities into spice sachets and cinch them closed with a knot. Spice sachets or fabric tea bags can be found at most grocery stores and gourmet cooking shops.

3. Pour salts into a decorative jar, along with one or two sachets. Canning jars or vintage glass containers work nicely. Seal the lid tightly.

4. To make scented bath water, add a few drops of aromatic oil or baking extracts, like orange, almond or lemon essences, to water. Concentrated rose water, often used in Indian cooking, is nice if you prefer floral scents. It can often be found in the ethnic food aisles at many grocery stores and Indian markets.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have trouble finding sea salt, epsom or kosher salts are good alternatives and can be found at most supermarkets. A ribbon tied around the jar's neck and attached with a decorative card or hang-tag penned with an ingredient list is an easy way to spruce up scented bath salts if you're giving them as a gift.

Resources

• Martha Stewart Homemade Bath Salts