Natural Remedies for Improving Foot Health

There are many types of common foot problems that can tend to plague us - dry and callused skin, foot odor, blisters, and Athlete's Foot just to name a few. While some more serious conditions should be looked at and treated by a doctor, most of the common problems can easily be prevented or treated with natural remedies. Compared to conventional methods of prevention or ending foot problems, natural remedies are generally cheaper and more gentle (less potential for harsh chemicals). Listed below are some of these natural methods in preventing or curing certain foot ailments.

- Wash your feet with soap and water regularly, preferably each day. This may be a simple treatment or preventative, but it helps for a number of issues, such as foot odor and prevention for a possible bout of Athlete's Foot. Make sure that, afterward, you dry your feet completely - especially in between the toes, as any wetness left behind provides a good environment for fungus.

- Soak your feet. There are many different types of foot soak recipes to be found around the internet, but my personal favorite type of foot soak is that of peppermint and lavender. The peppermint is great for softening the skin of feet (which is great in getting rid of dry skin), easing aches and pains, and combating foot odor. The lavender is known to be a natural stress reliever - not only is the wonderful smell relaxing, but it physically eases tension in sore muscles. To make this foot soak, just combine 1/2 a cup of epsom salt and a few drops each of peppermint essential oil and lavender essential oil. Just combine in a pan of water and soak you feet for about 10 minutes. This is a great way to ease constant foot pain or just relax with after a hard day.

- Wear the right shoes. A common source of achy feet and blister problems tends to lie in the shoes one might wear. If they don't fit properly, it can easily cause several different problems, possibly all at once. If it's noticeable that your shoes aren't fitting right, or they are just worn out, you should definitely invest in a new pair. You should also have different shoes for different occasions. Not only does alternating shoes each day help with foot odor and moisture problems (which, in turn, could lead to Athlete's Foot), but having the right shoes for the right occasion (such as athletic shoes for walking or running) will help keep the aches and pains away.

- Before running or walking a long distance, it may help prevent skin cracks and blisters if you either wrap your feet up with athletic tape, or cushion the toes with moleskin. You don't exactly need to tape or wrap up the entire foot, just areas that are prone to cracking and blisters - such as areas with curves, the heels and balls of the feet, and in between and on the sides of the toes. Moleskin adhesive is great not only for preventing painful blisters, but for cushioning blisters that have already formed so you can walk with comfort.

- Pamper your feet with a foot scrub. I also enjoy using a few drops each of lavender and peppermint essential oils with about 1/4 cup of almond oil or just plain water and about a cup and a half of sea salts. Mixing the salt and the almond oil or water provides the base, and adding the essential oils afterward creates a gentle foot scrub, but tough enough to help soften the skin and rub away dry or flaky skin.

The above remedies are good for common, minuscule foot problems, as well as working as natural ways to keep your feet healthy overall. But if you have ongoing foot pain you should definitely see a doctor. Also, take caution with home remedies if you have diabetes.