DIY Warming Bath Soak

So I hadn’t planned on writing a post about a warming bath soak until it was full on winter. However, today in mid-October the weather decided it would be a wonderful idea to dump three inches of snow on Denver. So, with my not so pleased ‘what happened to autumn’ (lack of) pants on- I popped into a bath filled with goodies to warm me up after a day of being outside in 28 degrees!

As with all of my bath soak recipes- this warming bath soak is super customizable to your preferences- each of the herbs I’ve popped in here have warming properties so if you don’t like the scent or feel of an herb, or just don’t have it on hand you can leave it out! Though, I do have to say that the combination of all of these lovely scents makes you feel like you’d been sitting in a bathtub of chai- which is one of my favorite scents!

Warming Bath Soak Ingredients

Cinnamon

I love cinnamon for a number of different reasons! First, it smells fantastic, but it also has quite a few healing properties in herbalism! Cinnamon helps warm the body by stimulating blood vessels to bring blood up to the surface of the skin, creating warmth through circulation. It also has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and oxidant properties- perfect for helping to treat body acne!

Cardamom

Another herb that warms the body by using phytonutrients to stimulate blood flow, cardamom is another fun layer to add to your bath tea concoction. Cardamom is also an anti-inflammatory, that can help soothe skin irritation, and also has antibacterial properties.

Clove

Clove is one of my favorite ingredients in this warming bath soak- the scent reminds me of the winter holidays and it has a long list of benefits. Added to your bathwater, clove can help regulate oily skin with its astringent properties, and it is also an anti-fungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic (relieves muscle spasm), and analgesic (pain relief).

Star Anise

Aside from these little star-shaped beauties being Instagram gold, star anise is a wonderful antioxidant and can help promote better digestion.

Rosemary

Rosemary is one of my favorite circulatory stimulants, not only does it warm the body, but when you take a rosemary bath before bed it can help promote deeper and most restful sleep. Better sleep? Better skin, more energy, and a brighter outlook (okay, maybe that last one is just me!) (Psst.. if you’re pregnant skip this one, it is an emmenagogue that stimulates blood flow to the pelvic area- not the best for keeping baby in until they’re ready!)

Ginger

If you’ve ever had a piece of raw ginger, you know that it packs a bit of heat! But on top of that, it also has an incredible number of antioxidant properties, it can clear blemishes, can help with radiant skin by helping to slough off dead skin cells, and can increase circulation which will helps cells regenerate faster!

So, whether you’re playing with your pups outside in the snow, flying down the mountain on a polished plank of wood, or just chilly you can pop into this fragrant, beautiful, and wellness-promoting bath! I’d love to know- what are your favorite ways to warm up after a cold winter’s day? Pop over to my Instagram and comment on my warming bath soak photo! Stay cozy and don’t forget to take a peek at some of my other bath recipes!