If you suffer from a lot of pain and inflammation, then you aren’t alone. There are countless millions of people around the globe that consistently suffer from various ailments that result in a great deal of inflammation and pain. Of course, treating the underlying cause is always the best course of action, but this isn’t always possible.
The unfortunate reality is that many of us have to live with persistent and chronic pain and inflammation, but there are fortunately some good ways to help relieve these issues. No, here we aren’t talking about dangerous and expensive prescription medications, but rather totally natural and safe remedies.
As you might know, taking Epsom salt baths can go a long way in relieving some of these issues, but there are other solutions as well, ones that you might not know about. In terms of soothing inflammation, one of the best naturally occurring things out there is willow bark.
As you’ll see further below, willow bark contains substances that have the power to reduce both inflammation and pain. What we’re here to do today is to actually combine both willow bark and bath salts to create what is effectively one of the best natural pain and inflammation relievers out there, a willow bark Epsom salt bath.
All About Willow Bark
Willow bark, as the name implies, is the bark of the willow tree. In fact, there are many different species of shrubs and trees in the willow family that are native to North America, Asia, and Europe. Some of the more common types include the weeping willow, the crack willow, the purple willow, the pussy willow, and the white or European willow.
The willow bark that is generally sold in North America and Europe is a combination of crack willow, purple willow, and white willow.
One of the reasons why willow bark is often used to help treat pain, inflammation, and other ailments is because it contains a substance known as salicin. Salicin, a substance found in great abundance in willow bark, particularly in white willow, is a chemical that is very similar to acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin.
In fact, depending on the time of year, willow bark can contain up to 12.6% salicin. Salicin has the ability to reduce the amount of pain-inducing chemicals in your nerves, therefore effectively reducing the amount of perceived pain.
It’s a very effective painkiller, and is also known as being an anti-inflammatory. Willow bark also contains other anti-inflammatory compounds, particularly flavonoids.
The flavonoids, as well as the polyphenols contained in willow bark, have antiseptic, immune-boosting, antioxidant, and fever-reducing properties.
Historically, willow bark has been used to treat a variety of painful ailments, such as headaches, lower back pain, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, flu, fever, bursitis, tendonitis, and more.
It’s actually been used in many forms of traditional medicine for thousands of years, and there are some pieces of evidence that indicate that willow bark is indeed effective at relieving pain and inflammation.
The Benefits of Epsom Salts
To provide you with all of the information that you need about making your own Epsom salt willow bark bath, you first also need to know what Epsom salts are. Epsom salts are a very special type of salt, and no, you don’t want to put it on food.
When put into water, Epsom salts break down into sulfate and magnesium. The pervading theory is that when you soak in Epsom salt baths, these substances permeate your skin and help with a variety of ailments.
It is thought that both sulfate and magnesium have pain and inflammation-relieving properties, which is why many professional athletes use Epsom salt baths after grueling training sessions. People who regularly suffer from issues such as swelling, arthritis pain, sprains, bruises, fibromyalgia, sore muscles, and much more often take Epsom salt baths.
Combining Willow Bark with Epsom Salts
So, if willow bark and Epsom salts individually have the ability to relieve pain and inflammation, then it only serves to reason that combining the two together will provide you with additional pain and inflammation relief benefits.
Let’s move on and take a closer look at exactly how to combine the willow bark with Epsom salts to create your own willow bark Epsom salt bath.
How to Make Your Own Willow Bark Epsom Salt Bath
In order to create a willow bark Epsom salt bath, you’ll need one cup of Epsom salt, 1/4 cup of finely ground willow bark, about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil, a glass jar, and a muslin bag. Follow the instructions listed below to create the willow bark bath.
- If you haven’t already bought it in powder format, measure out about 1/4 cup of willow bark, place it in a blender or spice grinder, and pulse for about 30 seconds. You want to ensure that it is a fine powder before mixing with the Epsom salts.
- Take the 1/4 cup of ground willow bark and mix it with a full cup of Epsom salt. Make sure to mix everything thoroughly.
- Add up to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil into the mixture and combine.
- Put your newly made willow bark Epsom salt bath mixture into a sealed glass jar to ensure that its scent and freshness are preserved.
How to Use the Willow Bark Epsom Salt Bath
OK, you might be wondering why we said that you need a muslin bag in the above section. The reason for this is because when you’re taking an Epsom salt willow bark bath, you take your newly made mixture and put it in the muslin bag.
You then hang the muslin bag below the faucet and allow the warm or hot running water to flow over and through the bag. This will allow the salts to dissolve, therefore releasing their healing properties into the water. Stay in the bath for anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make your own willow bark Epsom salt bath, you can start relieving pain and inflammation from the comfort of your own home.
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