Make a Pain-Relieving Bath Additive with Ginger, Rosemary, Peppermint, Olive Oil

Aches, pains and clogged sinuses are a common complaint during winter. Commercial cold remedies and pain relievers are expensive and contain many unpleasant chemicals. These commercial products also do nothing to combat the dry skin caused by winter weather.

I developed this bath additive recipe to clear nasal passageways and relieve aches and pains. The bath additive recipe will also moisturize and soothe skin that is red, chapped, dry or irritated. The bath additive recipe calls for inexpensive and natural ingredients.

You will need these containers and utensils to prepare the bath additive recipe: medium sized saucepan; large wooden spoon for stirring; strainer; medium sized mixing bowl; plastic bottle with tight fitting or screw on lid.

You will also need these ingredients to make the bath additive recipe: six tablespoons ground ginger root; four tablespoons of crushed rosemary; one peppermint tea bag and three cups of olive oil.

Begin preparing the bath additive recipe by pouring the three cups of olive oil into the sauce pan and heating the oil over very low heat. Make sure that the heat is very low and stir the olive oil frequently while preparing the bath additive recipe or you could scorch the oil.

Olive oil is moisturizing because it is a natural source of Vitamin E and other antioxidants. Olive oil penetrates deeply into skin and hair cells helping to nourish and strengthen them. This quality also makes olive oil an excellent choice for a bath additive base because it will help other ingredients penetrate the skin.

Once you have begun heating the olive oil, add four tablespoons of crushed or ground rosemary to the olive oil and stir the bath additive blend carefully. Rosemary is stimulating, helps improve circulation and eases tension. Rosemary's presence in the bath additive recipe blend will help nourish skin and relieve aches and pains.

After you have added the Rosemary to the olive oil, stir in 6 tablespoons of ground ginger root. You can find ginger root pre-ground in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. Ginger root is warming, soothing and invigorating. It will help reduce body aches and ease muscle tension. The presence of ginger in the bath additive recipe will also help warm you up, if you have a persistent chill during winter.

Now that you have added the ginger root, place a peppermint tea bag in the bath additive blend on the stove. Stir the bath additive blend carefully making sure that the peppermint tea bag is completely submerged.

Peppermint has a high menthol content and is a source of vitamin C and vitamin A. peppermint's presence in the bath additive recipe will cleanses your pores, soothe inflamed skin while removing excess oil, open sinuses and ease muscle tension.

After combining the ingredients in the bath additive recipe cover the saucepan and heat the bath additive over very low heat for 15 minutes to allow the rosemary, ginger and peppermint to infuse with olive oil. Stir the bath additive blend every two or three minutes.

After simmering the bath additive for 15 minutes place the strainer over the small mixing bowl, and strain the bath additive blend into the bowl. After straining the bath additive blend allow it to cool and then funnel it into the plastic bottle and screw the cap on tightly.

Shake the bath additive blend well before using. To use the bath additive blend add 3/4 to 1 cup of the bath additive to very warm running bath water. I recommend that you get in the tub while the water is still running and sit close to the faucet while taking deep breaths of the steam. This will help clear out your sinuses while also soothing your skin and opening your pores. Soak in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes for best results.

Store any unused bath additive blend in the refrigerator; it will stay fresh for one week.