Summer Solstice Self Care
Here in the midwest we are shifting into summer. June is here. The signs are all around. living seasonally, when the outside world shifts, we can sense it in our bodies. Just like robins herald the beginning of spring, when our rose bush blooms, I know we are nearing the summer solstice. in the heat of summer, I turn to the plants for nourishment.
After a long year of social isolation, our world is slowly opening up, and with it, our daily routine is shifting and changing too. More playdates, riding lessons, barbecues at the neighbors house, gardens to weed and tend to. I have quite made the adjustment to more, but in all the shuffle, i’m trying to remain cognizant of creating sacred space for myself.
These Simple Rose Bath Salts are a nourishing way to work with the energetics of rose as well as a portal to a little summer self care. Rose, one of the most well know members of the family, Rosaceae, is a cooling plant, used to nourish the nervous systems as well as a flower that tends to the heart, moves the blood, balances, and helps us cultivate boundaries with an open heart. Rose is widely used in tea and body care products for its anti-inflammatory quality that helps tissues retain moisture. I like to powder my dried rose petals for this recipe to help the skin absorb.
In the summers, I love to harvest my rose petals on a dry morning, when they have just opened for the most fragrant petals. In the evening, after a long, hot days work in the garden a love a cooling + relaxing bath, a moment to come back into my body. I’m even dreaming of an outdoor bath at the land when we build one day.
Simple Rose Bath Salts
Ingredients
2 cups epsom salts
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup dried rose petals
1/2 cup dried rose petals, powdered
optional : 5 drops essential oils
Directions
Start by drying organic, unsprayed rose petals (you can use store bought dried rose petals. you can also find them online, here.). Removing the petals from the stem and place them in a dehydrator, drying tray or on a baking tray in the oven at 180 degrees for 10-30 minutes, checking for crispness.
Blend half of your petals in a small grinder or mortar and pestle until finely powdered.
In a glass bowl, mix together Epsom salts, rose petals + powder, baking soda + essential oil. Store in an air tight container like the Ball® Storage Latch Jar. Use 4 heaping tablespoons per bath.
I hope you enjoy this simple little summer luxury.
xx, alyson.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post that is part of an ongoing partnership with the Fresh Preserving Division of Newell Brands. They have provided jars, equipment and monetary compensation. All thoughts and opinions expressed remain my own.