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Using Essential Oils for Foot Bath Recipes

The potential benefits of a foot soak include relaxation, relieving tired, achy, and painful feet, softening callouses for removal, reducing foot odor, and helping get rid of fungus. Using essential oils for foot bath recipes you make at home can enhance these benefits.

Caution: Medical sources caution against foot soaks for people with diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or open wounds or cuts. Also use care if you have fungal problems, as fungus thrives in a wet, moist environment—make sure your feet are completely dry before putting on socks and shoes.

Soaking may dry out your feet, although all the essential oil foot soaks given here include a carrier oil, which helps moisturize. Moisturize your feet as needed.

Basic Recipe for Foot Soak

General instructions for a DIY foot bath with Epsom salt:

Add 1/2 to 1 cup of Epsom salt to a basin of warm water.
Dilute 5 to 10 drops of essential oils in a teaspoon of carrier oil.
Stir the blend into the water.
Soak your feet and ankles for at least ten minutes.

Some suggested essential oils for a foot bath:

To soothe tired, aching feet: 7 drops rosemary
To warm up your feet: 3 drops ginger
To refresh your feet: 5 drops peppermint
To soothe an injury: 8 drops lavender
To relax your feet: 4 drops roman chamomile

For a foot scrub to exfoliate and invigorate, blend a little olive oil, a tablespoon of sea salt, and a drop of your favorite essential oil. Scrub your lower leg and the bottom of your feet. See more homemade foot scrubs.

Lavender-Peppermint-Chamomile Soak

For a relaxing foot soak:

2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops roman chamomile essential oil
1 teaspoon carrier oil
1/4 cup Epsom salt

Combine the oils in a bowl.
Stir in salt and and mix thoroughly.
Stir mixture into warm water for a foot bath.
Soak feet for at least 10 minutes.

Another option is to use 6 drops of any one of the essential oils (blended in 1 teaspoon carrier oil). A few other suggestions:

If your feet or ankles are swollen, use cool water with 6 to 10 drops of lavender.

If you have varicose veins, use tepid water with 6 to 10 drops of lemon essential oil.

If you have sinusitis, soak your feet in warm water with 6 to 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.

Sources: Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions and Healing With Aromatherapy

Baking Soda Vinegar Foot Soak

Both baking soda and vinegar may help with foot odor. Experiment with one or the other or both.

1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup sea or Epsom salt (or a combo of the two)
1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon carrier oil
5 to 10 drops essential oils of choice

Combine the baking soda and salt.
Blend the essential oils with the carrier oil.
Stir the oil blend and apple cider vinegar into the dry ingredients.
Stir the mixture into a large foot basin filled with warm water.
Soak your feet for up to 20 minutes.
Remove feet and pat dry.

Antifungal Homemade Foot Soak Recipe

For athlete's foot, use a tea tree oil foot soak. Soak your feet for at least 15 minutes in a basin of hot water with the following essential oils diluted in 1 teaspoon carrier oil: