Whether you exercise frequently or spend your days hunched over at a computer, you’re bound to experience muscle soreness. The shoulders tend to be the first places where people experience tension. If you fail to address the stiffness, it’s very common to experience headaches, neck pain, and potentially migraines. Massages can be greatly beneficial, but it can be difficult to massage shoulders by yourself. You can, however, soak in a bath with ingredients that aim to relieve muscle pain.
Some people don’t want to take the natural route, opting for over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. If you don’t want to use medications to get rid of muscle pain, then you clicked on the right article. The sore muscle soak recipe contains lavender leaves, lavender essential oil, and Epsom salt. Together, these ingredients work to relax your muscles and decrease inflammation. Let’s explore those ingredients and how they benefit your body below.
Lavender Essential Oil
Within the past several years, there has been a growing interest in the use of essential oils to benefit overall health. These oils exhibit therapeutic properties, some of which include reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, and accelerating wound healing. In the case of lavender essential oil, it offers both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it effective for reducing general pain and tension. According to researchers, lavender essential oil works to reduce swelling and may provide better blood flow to muscles. That makes it beneficial for relieving muscle spasms, especially if they result from stress or anxiety.
Speaking of stress and anxiety, researchers have studied lavender essential oil for its ability to suppress anxiety. Researchers attribute the stress-relieving properties to lavender’s scent, which may also promote sounder sleep. Additionally, lavender essential oil may work to relieve menstrual pain, especially when combined with gentle massage.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It originated in the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, where it is found in natural springs. When it enters the water, Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate. The theory is that the body absorbs these minerals when you soak in an Epsom salt bath. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence that supports these claims, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that these baths help relieve muscle pain.
Epsom salt may help to relieve general muscle pain, especially in the shoulders, back, neck, and skull. When you are able to relax the muscles that surround the head and neck, you have an easier time getting over a headache. By absorbing the minerals in Epsom salt, the overall health of your skin may also improve. In fact, many people with skin conditions like eczema benefit from soaking in Epsom salt baths. Like lavender essential oil, Epsom salt may also promote better sleep by reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. Finally, the magnesium in Epsom salt works to increase serotonin levels, which may help relieve stress and anxiety. Plus, you’ll be in a better mood!
DIY Sore Muscle Soak
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Epsom salt
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 tablespoons dried lavender
Instructions:
- Add the Epsom salt to a glass jar and then add in the lavender essential oil.
- Pour the dried lavender into the jar and mix everything up with a spoon.
- Draw a bath with warm water and pour half cup of the mixture into the bath. Stir and allow it to infuse into the water.
- It’s beneficial to soak for about 30 minutes for the soak to help you relieve muscle pain.
