CHAPTER 15

BATHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

I’ve always been fascinated by ancient cultures and how they used natural elements for health and beauty. Now natural beauty is making a comeback, and much of it has been derived from cultures of the past.

There’s also something very enticing about scents that evoke a sense of place. Isn’t it amazing how you can travel across the world, and when you smell the scent of that destination at home, it brings you suddenly back?

The following bath salt recipes evoke time and place for a sensual bath that transports you from daily cares.

Ancient Egyptian Salt Soak

2 cups of Dead Sea salts

1 cup of coarse sea salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

1 cup of rhassoul clay

5 drops of frankincense essential oil

5 drops of myrrh essential oil

2 drops of lavender essential oil

Ancient Roman Salt Soak

2 cups of Dead Sea salts

1 cup of Epsom salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

5 drops of frankincense essential oil

5 drops of myrrh essential oil

Modern Roman Salt Soak

2 cups of Dead Sea salts

1 cup of Epsom salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

5 drops of bergamot essential oil

5 drops of sage essential oil

French Salt Soak

2 cups of Dead Sea salts

1 cup of coarse salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

1 cup of French green clay

5 drops of lavender essential oil

5 drops of clary sage essential oil

Moroccan Salt Soak

2 cups of Himalayan salts

1 cup of coarse sea salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

1 cup of rhassoul clay

handful of fresh rose petals

1/2 teaspoon of argan oil

10 drops of cedar essential oil

Himalayan Salt Soak

2 cups of Himalayan salts

1 cup of coarse sea salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

5 drops of jasmine essential oil

5 drops of spikenard essential oil

Hawaiian Salt Soak

2 cups of Himalayan salts

1 cup of coarse sea salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

10 drops of sandalwood essential oil

1 teaspoon of gardenia oil

1 teaspoon of kukui nut oil

African Salt Soak

2 cups of Dead Sea salts

1 cup of Epsom salts

1/2 cup of baking soda

5 drops of tea tree essential oil

5 drops of benzoin essential oil

1 teaspoon of baobab oil