While most of our posts are about pets, we like to post helpful information for humans too. This post from Dr. Mary Jo Ruggieri, PhD, gives some quick and easy formulas for natural foot soothers. These formulas are particularly helpful if your feet are tired from standing in long holiday checkout lines or to sooth your nerves during the busy holiday season. After all, if your feet hurt, you won’t feel much like walking the dog! Give yourself a treat and soak your feet!
Mary Jo’s Foot Soak
- Add 1 Tbsp wet yellow mustard and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper to hot water.
- Soak (up to ankles) for 20-30 minutes.
- Tumeric is anti-inflammatory, cayenne opens pores.
- Good for general detoxification, as well as migraines and headaches.
Peppermint Tea Soak
- Brew a large amount of peppermint tea, making it very strong.
- Pour into foot bath when comfortably warm (not too hot).
- Soak 15-20 minutes.
Anti-inflammatory Foot Soak
- Using cheesecloth or an old towel, make a sachet pocket.
- Fill with 2 mint tea bags (or 2 tsp loose tea), 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp basil, 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Tie off sachet with yarn or rubber band.
- Fill pan with water as hot as can be tolerated.
- Add sachet and squeeze a few times.
- Soak 20 minutes or until water gets cool.
- Great in the winter for colds and flu.
Foaming Honey Foot Bath
- Combine 1 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp liquid soap, 1 Tbsp vanilla extract, 2 Tbsp sweet almond oil and place in foot bath.
- Add warm water up to ankles.
- Soak 10-15 minutes.
- This soak naturally forms hydrogen peroxide; it is anti-bacterial.
Homemade Foot Powder
- Add 2 drops tea tree oil , 7 drops peppermint essential oil and 3 drops lavender essential oil to 1 cup baking soda and mix thoroughly.
- Store in a shaker container, such as an old baby powder container.
- Dust on bare feet before putting on socks and shoes.
Castor Oil Pack
- Dip 3 layers of flannel in castor oil.
- Wrap around feet.
- Cover with plastic wrap or plastic bag.
- Place heating pad or hot water bottle on top.
- Leave on for 15-20 minutes.
Ginger Pack
- Grate fresh ginger root.
- Place between two layers of flannel which has been dipped in hot water and wrung.
- Wrap feet and leave on for 20 minutes.
- Can also be placed directly on abdomen to relieve digestive disturbances.
Mary Jo Ruggieri PhD, RPP
Institute of Holistic Health Careers
Director, Columbus Center for Integrative Health and Wellness
Satnam170@aol.com
www.holistichealthcareers.com
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