Homemade Bath Remedies for Aching Muscles

You've had one of those days, or maybe one of those weeks, and your muscles are aching so badly that you can barely tolerate it. Short of heading off to some exclusive and expensive spa for some much needed R&R, there are techniques that will relieve aching muscles that you can do in your own bathtub. Start running the bath water ...

Essential Oils

• Toria Betson recommends making bath salts out of 2 cups Epsom salts, 6 drops rosemary essential oil, 6 drops German chamomile essential oil and 3 drops lavender essential oil to combat aching muscles. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and then toss the mixture into a tub of warm water. Betson explains that German Chamomile and lavender possess anti-inflammatory agents, and rosemary has a warming effect and promotes blood flow. However, don't use rosemary if you are en epileptic.

Epsom Salts

• Annie B. Bond of Care2.com explains that Epsom salts draw toxins from the body as well as promote muscle relaxation. The salts, which act as a sedative on the nervous system, are made out of a mineral called magnesium sulfate. Epsom salts are an emollient, an exfoliate and can help reduce swelling. Bathing in a tub of water filled with Epsom salts will ease your pain.

Quaker Oats

• Who would have thought that Quaker Oats could be used for something other than eating? According to Recipezaar.com, combine water and the oats, heat it up in the microwave and them let it cool slightly before applying the mixture to your achy body parts. Leave it on for a while and then jump into a warm tub of water, rinse it off and, hopefully, you will experience some relief from your aching muscles.

More Essential Oil Confections

• Opossum Sally's Goldenmean recommends making a mixture of 4 drops of bay, 4 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of eucalyptus and 3 drops of ylang ylang and 15 ml of a carrier oil, such as rose hips. Pour this concoction into your bath water or, once you get into the tub, lie back and massage these ingredients onto the areas of your body that are sore.

Buttermilk and Vinegar

• Further recommended by Opossum Sally is soaking in a bath full of hot water and buttermilk or vinegar, both of which reportedly relieve sore, aching muscles.

Queen Anne's Lace

• Queen Anne's Lace is one of those plants that seem to grow even when you don't want them to. However, this plant is good for relieving aches and pains, according to Opossum Sally. She suggests using the root (powdered or fresh) of Queen Anne's Lace, which is also known by the name of wild carrot, and adding it to bath water. Reportedly, this will reduce cramping and muscle swelling.

Sea Salts

• Combine coarse sea salts with eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint essential oils, and toss this mixture into some warm bath water. This combination will soothe your aching muscles, according to Svnaturally.com/shop.