I love just about everything about summertime, except having sore, swollen feet at the end of the day. Unfortunately, the two seem to go hand in hand. But on the plus side…tired, aching feet are usually a sign of a day well spent!.
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If your busy summer is making your feet hurt, I have a great way to fix the problem, and it’s relaxing to boot!
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The fix for sore and swollen feet is actually quite simple – a foot soak! Specifically, a foot soak containing Epsom salt. Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate, and these minerals can be absorbed through your skin. Magnesium in particular can help reduce pain and inflammation. Combine Epsom salt with a little baking soda for exfoliating and odor control, and you have a simple and effective foot soak that’s a treat for feet!
Related: This Weird Foot Soak Is The Cure For Your Dry, Cracked Heels
Homemade Foot Soak
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 2 cups baking soda
- 25 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions:
Add the Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils to a large bowl or jar. Stir or shake thoroughly to combine. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container for storage.
How To Use
Fill your foot bath with hot water. (I don’t own a foot bath, but I found a cheap plastic dish pan at Walmart and it works just as well!) Add 1/4 cup of the foot soak mixture to the water and stir.
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Soak your feet in the water for about 20 minutes or so. (You need to soak for AT LEAST 15 minutes to get the full benefits of the Epsom salt!)
After your foot soak, rinse and dry your feet. Then follow up with a good, natural moisturizer (like aloe vera gel, shea butter, or coconut oil). Perform this foot soak once a week, or as needed for softer, happier feet!
Bonus Tips (From Readers Like You!)
I always say that I get some of the best ideas and feedback from the comments on my blog posts. Here are a few tips from readers that can help you take your foot soak to the next level.
- OGT reader Jamie has a suggestion for making your foot soak even more relaxing. She writes… “Add marbles into your foot bath and roll your feet over them for a massage. Works great!”
- OGT reader Charon has a tip for packing more benefits into the foot soak mix. She writes… “Try putting some basil and rosemary essential oils in as well. The basil is warming, and the rosemary is anti-viral/anti-fungal!”
I add peppermint oil and raw cocoa butter chunks along with the epsom salt (which melt in and are highly hydrating!) So the foot soak smells like mint chocolate chips cookies.
I gotta give this a try.
Love your blog
I’m soaking my feet right now! If you add marbles, they feel sooo good, add enough to cover the bottom of your pan. If you don’t they will spread when you put your feet in and you won’t getbrhw full effect. I’m on my feet most of the day, walking, with steel toe boots on and on concrete my feet have reaaly been bothering me lately could also be from the weight I have gained and I am now 52 thanks for the reminder about Epsom salt. This is the first time I have added it to my foot soak,… Read more »
Epson salt is not supposed to be used by Diabetics. This is even on the box of Epson Salt that I have. What is your opinion on this. I would love to soak my aching feet. Many thanks!
A foot soak with or without epsom salts is bad for diabetics – thanks for the reminder Jeanne! Here’s an article with some more information: http://jillee.co/2tqonxk
If you read the article it states that if you have neuropathy you my not sense the heat of the water and if you have open sores you should not soak. I have diabetes and I can feel the heat of the water just fine and I don’t have any open sores, so I would say that as long as you don’t have either of these problems you can soak your feet. Just be sure you don’t have these problems.
Goodness, I am a Diabetic and have neuropathy in both my feet. I use Epsom salts in my bath often to help with the pain in my feet. This foot bath idea would be great also. Especially with the peppermint, yummy! If you are a diabetic you should already be checking your feet and looking out for cracks or open sores daily. Are we not supposed to get our feet wet? Can not always believe all of those other articles, ask your Dr. if unsure, mine says it is fine. Love your posts, I look forward to it every day!
I like to draw a bath and soak my whole aching body in Epsom salts. While in the bath, I massage my feet and use a wash cloth to gently exfoliate my feet. Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil relaxes me and makes me ready for bed.
Thanks for all your wonderful ideas, I am so happy I came across you by chance on the net.
Hi Everyone! Thanks for sharing your great suggestions. I would also like to contribute an idea. My niece shared this with me.
Measure your Epsom salts into a glass jar. Add the essential oils of your choice. Then shake shake shake the jar to distribute the oils into the salts. By doing this, you eliminate the possibility of the precious oils floating to the top of the water!
Can you use Tea tree oil instead Of Peppermint oil?
Use a glass COKE Bottle to roll on bottom of feet for a great message in your foot soak. It easy to insert in tub & easy to remove. ;)
You can if you’d like! Tea tree is great for fungus, so if you have any funky foot issues then it will be perfect! I suggest peppermint because it provides a tingle that leaves your feet feeling so relaxed!
Can’t wait to try it, my feet seem to be so dry. I use the Jar of Salve on my feet. Thanks for all your tips.