Herbal Foot Soaks

So I have some blisters on the bottom of two of my toes, and I need to soak them in some epsom salts. We’ve begun walking eight miles again after only doing five for the last couple of months, and I’m back to issues with my feet. But first I’m going to decoct some herbs to help heal the blisters. When it’s done I’ll add it to the hot water I’ll use to soak my foot in.

I dug some comfrey root yesterday to use for an oil infusion so I used some I had drying in the dehydrator. To that, I added some dried yellow dock root and some sage. I simmered it for 20 minutes and then strained the mixture. I added some to the hot water in the container I’m using for the foot soak and soaked my foot for a while, adding more to the water as it cooled.

After the herbal foot soak, I soaked my foot in some cool water with epsom salts dissolved in it. Foot soaks are wonderful for tired, achy feet, to removing splinters, or cleaning out wounds. They’re useful when we feel stressed or have a headache as they draw energy down and out of the body. Besides, they’re relaxing after a long day and great for folks like me who walk eight miles a day in the summer.

Comfrey and yellow dock roots are mucilaginous and soothing for wounds and other skin issues. Sage has astringent properties, helping the blister to dry out sooner. Epsom salts draws out impurities and infection. So this is a great. And roots can be decocted more than once, so when they cool, I’ll freeze them for future use.

A variety of herbs can be used for herbal foot soaks in addition to the herbs used in this situation. Hops, oatstraw,  chamomile, and yarrow, oatmeal as well, can be used as can any other relaxing herb. Essential oils such as tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus can also be added to the water. Half the fun is the creativity involved.

So that’s my foot, soaking away in the herbs and epsom salts. I love epsom salts. You can use them for anything, but I love them for drawing out anything as well as to add as a soil amendment. Epsom salts dissolved into water can also be used as a foliar feed to add magnesium to control blossom end rot, or just to give plants a pick me up.

And that’s all there is to it. Simmer some herbs and soak your feet in them. Sip a cup of tea while you’re at it, and enjoy!

~Blessings!