Chai it a new way || BATH CHAI

This unusual blend of warming ingredients soothes tired muscles, relieves aches and pains, softens the skin and re-energizes the spirit.  

“A woman is like a tea bag– you can’t tell how strong she is till you put her into hot water.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

“Bathing and sweating to remove impurities and promote healing are practiced in many forms by numerous cultures. Mineral springs, sweat lodges, saunas, foot baths, and hydrotherapy help to promote improved well-being. Soaking promotes circulation, the removal of dead skin cells that can block pores, increased perspiration and relaxation…. [A]dding baking soda to your bathwater leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth.” (Source)  

• Epsom Salt || Epsom salt, named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Magnesium regulates the activity of over 325 enzymes, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent artery hardening. Sulfates improve the absorption of nutrients and ease migraine headaches.
• Baking Soda || Adding baking soda to a bath helps neutralize skin acidity. It’s also a powerful deodorizer and gentle exfoliator. Because it rinses clean, baking soda leaves skin refreshed and soft. 
• Ginger || Ginger has a warm, spicy aroma. It has been used for its medicinal properties by the Chinese and Indians for thousands of years. Some of its healing properties include: analgesic, antiseptic, carminative, expectorant, stimulant, and tonic. Ginger calms the emotions, aids memory and is grounding.
• Cinnamon || Cinnamon is beneficial to the skin because it draws blood and nutrients to the surface while also helping to dry skin. It is great for those suffering from psoriasis or eczema. 
• Cardamom || Many of the vitamins, phytonutrients, and essential oils in cardamom are antioxidants, clearing free radicals and resisting cellular aging. Like ginger and turmeric, cardamom has some anti-inflammatory properties that limit pain and swelling.  
• Ginger Essential Oil ||Traditionally used to alleviate nausea and travel sickness, ginger essential oil is anti-inflammatory and stimulates circulation. 
• Coconut Milk || Coconut milk is comprised of copper, proteins and essential fatty acids. Coconut milk is soothing, naturally antibacterial and non-comedogenic (it won’t clog pores). Adding it to your bath can replace lost moisture and give your skin a suppler appearance.  

Ingredients  

• 4 cups epsom salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 Tbs finely ground ginger
• 1 tsp finely ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp finely ground cardamom
• ½ cup coconut milk (optional)
• 6 drops ginger essential oil (optional) 

Mix ingredients together in a bowl and add to a hot bath as it is being drawn. Swirl around with your hand to ensure everything is well mixed and melted.  Soak for 15 minutes, then gently towel off (don’t rinse). Immediately apply a body oil of your choice like Soapwalla's Luxurious Body Oil or Resilience Pregnancy Belly Oil. 

 

Warning || Always use common sense and ensure a comfortable water temperature to reduce the risk of burns, dizziness or fainting. Avoid taking a bath if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, to avoid risk of falling asleep and accidental drowning. This is not medical advice, please consult your physician if you have any medical concerns, including diabetes or high blood pressure.

Image Sources || Left @CuratedInterior, Right @designlovefest