To get the foot spa or treatment, it is not necessary to go to a spa for professional treatment. You can easily do it at home. A foot spa or foot massage gives you a lot of health benefits. A foot bath preparation at home needs a little number of ingredients and it is not even as expensive as spas. The foot baths can circulate the blood, heal different diseases, and powerful impact on your mind and body.
You can change the concentration of ingredients according to your requirements. The foot bath at home gives you more health benefits than getting it in a spa. It reduces the risk of skin irritation caused due to use of chemicals.
Why You Should Get a Foot Bath?
There are different factors that you need to consider before getting a foot bath. The world has become a busy place where people are working day and night. They do not get leisure time to luxuriate in an old-fashioned foot bath or the modern one. There are plenty of reasons that require a foot bath or foot spa.
Taking a foot bath is a form of biosecurity that helps to prevent the potential spread of disease. The microscopic organism can survive for several days and weeks. They survive because of the dirt stuck to the bottom of your shoes. These organisms can be eliminated by having a foot bath.
Relieve Stress
If you are having stress due to any reason, then you can get stress to relieve a foot bath that will make you feel calmer and more relaxed. Add some soothing Epsom salts in warm water. Add 10 to 12 drops of eucalyptus oil. Now soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes and the stress will be gone.
Reduce stiffness
The home treatment of reducing the stiffness and swollen feet can be done using the cucumber soaked in the water. It gives a super refreshing to your feet. Cut thin slices of one cucumber. You can put the slices on your feet or cover them with a loose bandage. Remove it after 20 to 30 minutes.
You can also extract the juice of cucumber and add it to the foot bath water. Another way is to apple the mixture to your feet. You will get the same super refreshing results.
Foot Swelling
The hot and cold water works great for the blood circulation in the feet. Take 2 buckets and fill one with hot water and another with cold water. Now soak your feet in hot water for 10 minutes and then soak them in cold water for 10 to 12 minutes. Now switch back to the hot water for 5 minutes. By doing so, the blood circulates through the feet and removes the swelling.
Foot Odor
The foot bath battles the bad smells and sweat. It also helps to reduce the aching feet. You have to add a lemon, orange, and lime into a foot bath with warm water. Now add 4 drops of peppermint oil, 3 tbsp of baking soda, and 4 drops of tea tree oil. Soak your feet for half an hour in the mixture and it will help you to reduce the foot odor.
Soothe foot sore muscles
Lavender is best known as a pain reliever. The foot bath you take with lavender soothes the sore joints and brings relief to the muscles with a beautiful aroma. It helps to keep your mind calm. For this foot bath, add ½ cup of Epsom salts, 6 drops of lavender, and 2 tbsp of baking soda. Soak your feet for 15 to 30 minutes to soothe sore muscles.
Yellow toenails
The yellow toenails can be cured using the lemon juice foot bath. If you rub the sliced lemon on the problem areas directly, then it can cure it. Taking a lemon juice foot bath can give you more benefits than just rubbing the sliced lemon on yellow toenails. Add a tbsp of fresh lemon juice into the water soak your toes in the mixture.
Relieve Muscle Aches and Pain Due to Arthritis
Adding essential oils to your foot bath heals your feet and gives you a good foot treatment. You use cypress oil as an antiseptic and natural deodorant. It removes the foot odor and heals the blisters. If you are suffering from an athlete’s foot then you can use cedarwood oil. For arthritis pain and muscle aches, you can use juniper berry oil.
Wintergreen oil gives you a cooling sensation if your feet are tired and have a burning effect. It is a natural aspirin for your foot. Add a tsp of whole milk or vegetable oil into the water. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Dry them properly to remove the oil residue and moisturize them properly with foot cream or lotion.
Reduce Inflammation
Epsom salt has a good effect on pain and inflammation. It improves your concentration and gives you more relaxation. Put 2 to 3 tbsp of salt in a bath of warm water. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes. The salt makes the skin dry, so it is recommended to moisture your feet well after the procedure.
Dry Skin
If you want to remove the dead skin from your feet then get a warm baking soda foot bath. Baking soda remedy is not for everyone because in some cases, it dries the skin. It is also not recommended to those who have sensitive skin and have allergies. They should avoid this foot spa.
Add 2 to tbsp of baking soda in warm water and soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes. Moisture your feet well after the procedure.
Vinegar Soak
Apple cider vinegar helps to relieve the swollen ankles and feet. It also soothes cracked and dry feet. Apple cider vinegar treats callouses. Taking an apple cider vinegar bath reduces the foot odor and it is having a good antifungal property. if you are having a toenail fungus, you must give it a try.
Add 1 part of vinegar with 2 parts of water in the cool water. Using cold water does not dry out the skin. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes. After that, you can use essential oils to make the strong scent of vinegar a pleasant one.
Herbal Soak
After a long hard day, you can have an herbal soak. It will help the body to function properly. After spending hours in front of the screen, walking, or sitting, you can have an herbal foot bath that gives you detoxification and healthier foot skin. If you want to use fragrant herbs, then they will boost your mood and relax you.
Make a foot bath with warm water and add 1 tsp of baking soda, 2 tbsp of Epsom or sea salt, tsp of extra virgin olive oil, and the herb you prefer. You can use Rosemary, Parsley, Mint, or any other herb. To keep your foot bathtub clean, you can tie the herbs in the cheesecloth.
Verdict
Foot baths work well in a wide range and it is important to note that these foot baths are not substitutes for medicine. Those, who are having allergies, lung conditions, heart conditions, diabetes, and low blood pressure should consult the doctor before getting a foot bath.