Simple to make at home recipes and treatments for making your tired and achy feet feel better. These make great homemade gifts and pampering presents for Christmas, birthdays, or other special occasions for friends and relatives as well.

Herbal Footsoak Recipe

2 c boiling water
1/2 c dried herbs

Choose from:
Peppermint — good for tired feet to increase circulation
Passion Flower and Lemon Balm — great stress reliever
California Poppy — pain reliever for aching feet
Lavender and Rose — promotes relaxation and restful sleep

Add in some oatmeal to soften the skin, if you wish.

Health food stores have nice cotton muslin bags and teabags that can be purchased along with the herbs. You can also opt to make your bags from cheesecloth or cloth. Place herb choice(s) in a bag. (If giving as a gift, add ribbon to the bag for decoration. Can place in a pretty, decorative box along with other “feel good” items. A great idea is to include a colorful plastic tub that they can use for a footbath. They don’t need to have an expensive footbath for this… Be sure to label the herbal bag as “Foot Bath” and include directions for using (see below).)

Directions: Allow bag of herbs to steep in hot water, then add cold water to bring foot bath down in temperature. Soak feet and enjoy!

Foot Soak Recipe

1 c Epsom salt
2 drops each german chamomile essential oil, lavender essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and tea tree oil

Use 1 tablespoon in warm foot bath, once a week. (Can use dead sea salts instead of Epsom salt. Alternatively, can skip the salt and just add the oils directly to the water. A good rule of thumb is 8 to 10 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons of water. Also can substitute other oils. Tea tree and peppermint are a great combination for feet. Rosemary, lavender, and lemon are also good and are especially refreshing. A combination of tea tree, patchouli, and lavender (or lemongrass) is especially anti-fungal. For refreshing and antiseptic oils, try using geranium or lemongrass. Clary sage is also one to try. Using lavender and myrrh together has also been recommended.)

Homemade Foot Powder

1 cup baking soda
2 drops tea tree oil
7 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil

Add the oils to the powder and mix thoroughly. Store in a shaker container, such as an old talcum powder container. Dust on bare feet before putting on socks and in shoes. (Can use clay and/or arrowroot in place of, or as a substitute for part of, the baking soda if you wish. Can also substitute other essential oils, such as the combinations listed under the foot soak recipe. I would keep to around 12-16 drops of essential oil.)

Healing Foot Oil

Use on dry, itchy, irritated, cracked, peeling feet.

3 1/2 Tablespoons sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon wheat germ oil
9 drops german chamomile essential oil
7 drops tea tree oil
6 drops lavender essential oil

Mix well and store in glass bottle. Shake well before use and rub on feet before putting on socks. Good to use before going to bed. (I didn’t have wheat germ oil the last time I made this, so I used 6 1000IU vitamin E softgel capsules…which is about 2 teaspoons vitamin E.)

Healing Foot Oil Recipe 2

Add to 2 oz almond oil
3 drops wheatgerm oil
8 drops lemongrass essential oil

Follow directions as above.

Also see recipes for Anti-Fungal Foot Spray and recipe for Refreshing and Freshening Foot Spray and Foot Treatments, Remedies, and Care for Your Feet.

Recommended reading:
Natural Foot Care: Herbal Treatments, Massage, and Exercises for Healthy Feet
The Herbal Home Spa: Naturally Refreshing Wraps, Rubs, Lotions, Masks, Oils, and Scrubs (Herbal Body)

The use of essential oils is not recommended for the very young or aged, or pregnant/nursing women. It is the belief of this site that essential oils should not be used internally, only externally and topically. A skin test should always be done before using an essential oil, especially important for those more sensitive or vulnerable. Consult a reputable and experienced aromatherapist for guidance. If you are under the care of a physician, it is recommended that you contact them before using essential oils.

[tags]herbal, herbs, feet, foot, foot care[/tags]