Nicola is a student medical herbalist with a special interest in chronic illnesses. When not studying, she can usually be found tending to her garden or out in the woods with her dogs. Today, she shares a recipe for rose bath salts.

I love roses and luckily for me, they are blooming in my garden this year. Roses have many health benefits and have been used for thousands of years. Some health benefits include:

• Brings balance to hormones
• Reduces inflammation of the skin
• Promotes restful sleep
• Has antibacterial and antiseptic properties

Rose is used in many products, such as essential oils, rose water, rose petal jam, and rose tea.

As I collected rose petals to dry before the impending threat of thunderstorms, I decided I would make bath salts. I only discovered herbal baths a few years ago and haven’t looked back. Not only are bath salts 100% natural, but the healing properties in the herbs are also released by the water.

Rose Bath Salts Recipe

¼ cup of dried rose petals (I used organic)

1 cup of coarse salt (I used pink Himalayan)

½ cup of Epsom Salts

1 tablespoon of carrier oil (I used sweet almond oil)

20 drops of rose essential oil

In a bowl, mix the carrier oil with the essential oil. Add the Epsom salts, coarse salt and rose petals. Combine well and store in glass containers. Test tubes filled with bath salts make lovely presents.