Soothe aches and pains, improve sleep and reduce stress with this simple magnesium bath salt recipe. Featuring magnesium flakes, mineral-rich sea salt, herbs and essential oils. Great to use in the bathtub or as a foot soak.

bowl filled with magnesium bath salt recipe surrounded by dried flowers and a bottle of essential oil

My journey to understanding the benefits of topical magnesium started when I was pregnant with our daughter. Little did a know at the time how important magnesium was to people of all ages but especially throughout pregnancy.

During the second trimester big hormonal shifts caused my digestive system to become upset. To combat this, I began taking epsom salt baths. As I entered into the third trimester, I started getting leg cramps in my calves. I did some digging and found using a magnesium lotion helped fix the cramping.

Today every member of my family focuses on being sure their body has plenty of magnesium. Much of the time we concentrate on getting our magnesium through the food we eat however we do routinely use magnesium topically either within a magnesium bath salt recipe, a lotion or a magnesium spray.

If you’re looking to improve your magnesium levels or get a better nights rest, you may want to try homemade bath salts with magnesium. Fill your tub with water or a basin to soak your feet, add the magnesium bath salt and begin to unwind. Afterwards throw on your pjs and cuddle up in your bed to enjoy a restful nights sleep!

white bowl filled with flakes of magnesium sitting on table covered in petals

Magnesium Bath Salt Benefits

Sometimes people have trouble absorbing magnesium internally or it can upset the digestive system. Using topical magnesium in something like this magnesium bath salt recipe bypasses the digestive system. Instead the benefits of the magnesium are absorbed through the skin. Used topically the benefits include:

Improvement of magnesium deficiency
To soothe sore muscles and joints
Helps aid in a better nights sleep
Reduces stress
Promotes relaxation
May help to relieve constipation

For more information on the benefits of magnesium check out this article from Dr. Axe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Homemade Bath Salt Recipe – No complicated instructions here! Simply mix together the ingredients and use right away.

Customizable – This magnesium bath salt recipe allows you to customize it by using the ingredients you have on hand and what your preferences or goal is for the bath soak. For example, if you’re feeling stressed or need a good nights rest, add in some calming herbs such as chamomile or lavender. Do you need a bit of a magnesium boost? Simply add only the magnesium flakes, baking soda and salt to warm water.

Relaxing – a mix of magnesium flakes and real salt create a soothing, tranquil bath or foot soak experience.

Homemade Bath Salt Ingredients

Magnesium flakes – I love the magnesium bath flakes from Ancient Minerals but there are other nice brands that sell pure magnesium as well.

Salt – use a high quality Himalayan pink salt or sea salt. The addition of this type of salt helps soothe skin and adds extra minerals to your bath water or foot soak.

Baking soda – helps to soften the water.

Dried herbs – various herbs help with all sorts of skin conditions. Jump below for a list of recommended herbs to add to your homemade bath salt recipe.

Oil – a bit of sweet almond oil or jojoba oil acts as a carrier to mix the essential oils into and helps to equally spread them throughout the homemade bath salt.

Essential oil – optional ingredient but some oils have health benefits while also adding a lovely scent to the bath soak.

pinterest graphic showing a photograph of diy bath salt recipe

Tools You May Need

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. In any case, I only link to products we actually use on our homestead and that I believe can truly benefit to you. See my full disclosure here.

Pint size jar

Mixing bowl

Magnesium flakes

Spatula or spoon

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Sweet almond or jojoba oil

Essential oils

gold bowl sitting beside bath supplies and dried flowers and herbs

How to Make Your Own Magnesium Bath Salts

Makes: enough for 4 baths

Ingredients

3/4 cup magnesium flakes
1/4 cup Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons dried herbs, optional (see below for recommendations)
1/4 teaspoon sweet almond or jojoba oil
3-4 drops essential oil, optional (see below for recommendations)

Directions

In a bowl combine the magnesium flakes, Himalayan pink salt and baking soda.

Using a spice or coffee grinder, grind dried herbs until finely ground. Add powdered herbs to other ingredients. Mix essential oils with sweet almond oil. Add to salt mixture.

Store magnesium bath salt in a tightly sealed container away from moisture.

To use, add heaping 1/4 cup of salt mixture to tub as it fills with warm water. To make cleanup easier, you can add the bath salts to a muslin tea bag.

bowl filled with diy bath salt recipe for sore muscles sitting on a marble countertop beside dried herbs

Herbs to Use

Each of these dried herbs have a variety of benefits, making them a great addition to this magnesium bath salt recipe.

Calendula
Lavender
Chamomile
Ginger root
Rose petals
Mint leaves
Plantain
Violet leaves
Lemon balm

Essential Oils to Use

Lavender essential oil
Clove essential oil
Orange essential oil
Lemon essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Chamomile essential oil
Vanilla extract
Rose essential oil

Magnesium Bath Salt Variations

Calming Magnesium Bath Salt

3/4 cup magnesium flakes
1/4 cup Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 tablespoon rolled oats
1 tablespoon dried lavender
1 tablespoon dried chamomile
1/4 teaspoon sweet almond or jojoba oil
3 drops lavender essential oil

homemade bath salt surrounded by dried botanicals

Seasonal Spiced Magnesium Bath Salt

3/4 cup magnesium flakes
1/4 cup Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons dried calendula
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sweet almond or jojoba oil
2 drops clove essential oil
2 drops orange essential oil

Summer Lemonade Magnesium Bath Salt

3/4 cup magnesium flakes
1/4 cup Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons dried lemon balm
1 teaspoon dried lemon zest or peel
1 drop lemon essential oil

How Long Should You Soak in a Magnesium Salt Bath?

Sit, soak and relax in the bath for 20-30 minutes. The homemade magnesium bath soak can also be used to soak your feet.

More Natural Skincare Recipes

Chamomile Bath Salt

Calendula Lotion Bar

Achy Joint Balm

Homemade Itch Relief Spray

Comfrey Healing Salve

Calendula Lip Balm

The information in the article is not intended to treat or prevent any disease. All information is for entertainment or educational purposes only. Please see your physician for medical advice.

Yield: Enough for 4 baths