Our feet take a lot of punishment. Dry, cracked heels are often the norm, especially during summer, and it's not unusual for our feet and ankles to swell through the course of a normal day. That's why it's so important to fit shoes later in the day, not in the early morning. If you're looking for a way to soothe hurting, aching feet, consider treating yourself to a footbath that takes fewer than five minutes to set up or creating a foot salve that you can apply to help soothe and soften the skin on your feet.
Foot Soak
Step 1
Fill a large dishpan with enough warm water to cover your feet. Stir between 1 tbsp. and 1/2 cup of Epsom salts or sea salt into the water until it's well dissolved; you'll want to tend toward the low end of the range if you're using sea salt or the high end if you're using Epsom salts.
Step 2
Add up to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil, or a combination of oils. Eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, clove and lavender all make good choices. You can also, if you so desire, add up to 1 tbsp. of arnica tincture---renowned for its skin soothing and healing properties---to the mix.
Step 3
Soak your feet in the dishpan for up to 10 minutes or until the water is cool. Pat your feet dry.
Foot Salve
Step 1
Sterilize two 4 oz. containers or one 8 oz. container, all with tightly fitting tops, by running them through a normal wash cycle in the top rack of a dishwasher.
Step 2
Melt 1 oz. of grated or shaved beeswax (or beeswax pellets) in a double boiler. Mix in 3/4 cup of almond, jojoba or olive oil and stir until well blended, then remove the mixture from the heat.
Step 3
Add up to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, clove and lavender are good choices), if you so desire. Stir thoroughly.
Step 4
Pour the mixture into the containers you sterilized in Step 1. Allow the salve to cool. Store in a cool, dry place until needed.
Step 5
Apply the cream to your feet before bed or as needed, then slip on a pair of cotton socks until the cream is fully absorbed.
Things You'll Need
- Foot soak:
- Large dishpan
- Warm water
- 1 tablespoon to 1/2 cup Epsom salts or sea salt
- 10 drops essential oil (optional)
- 1 tbsp. arnica tincture (optional)
- Foot salve:
- Two 4 oz. containers with tight-fitting lids or one 8 oz. container with tight fitting lid
- 1 oz. grated or shaved beeswax
- Double boiler
- 3/4 cup almond, jojoba or olive oil
- 10 drops essential oil (optional)
- Cotton socks
References
- "Homemade"; Reader's Digest Books; 2007
- "Best Health": Remedies for Sore Feet
