The footbath, also called a foot soak, reduces the feet and ankles from exhaustion, but also the impacts of certain dysfunctions. First of all, it is crucial to determine the origin of the pain.
Indeed, venous, inflammatory, or osteoarthritis problems require cool to care, while rheumatological trauma needs heat. The perfect foot bath lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and never drops below 17°. It should always bring a sense of comfort.
Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is the perfect component of these footbaths. In addition to the various benefits that we present to you, it is economical and natural, and its anti-odor action is a plus.
Here are 5 cases where baking soda in your foot bath is advisable.
1. A BAKING SODA FOOT BATH TO RELIEVE PAIN
For your foot bath, you will need:
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda;
- 4 to 5 liters of hot or cold water depending on your case;
- A few drops of essential oil are optional.
- Soak your feet between 10 and 20 minutes. Remove them when the hot water has cooled or after 20 minutes if you are taking a cold bath.
Take advantage of these few moments of calm to perform a small massage in circles to promote blood and lymphatic circulation.
Dry your feet very carefully with a towel, especially between the toes.
As a reminder :
- Hot water (37°) in case of rheumatological problems.
- Coldwater (minimum 17°) against poor circulation and inflammatory problems. Namely that all “itis” names such as tendinitis mean that it is an inflammation.
- Alternating hot/cold water for swollen feet and ankles.
Also Read: How to Treat Dehydrated, Cracked Skin on Your Feet
2. BAKING SODA FOOT BATH IS RECOMMENDED IN CASE OF BLISTERS
To prepare this foot bath, you will need:
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda;
- 4 to 5 liters of lukewarm water.
This treatment requires doing it every day until the blisters go away.
Thoroughly dry your feet.
3. BAKING SODA FOR ECZEMA AND ITCHING
These conditions cause itching that can be soothed with baking soda.
Just prepare:
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda;
- 4 to 5 liters of freshwater.
Soak your feet for 15 minutes in this cold water.
4. BAKING SODA IS ALSO A COMFORT AND BEAUTY PEDICURE TREATMENT
Badly treated feet in winter? Dried up in summer? Indeed, wrapped in socks or exposed on the beaches, the feet are subjected to all kinds of constraints.
Pedicure treatments are necessary and even essential in all seasons. To take care of your feet simply and naturally, prepare:
- 5 tablespoons of baking soda;
- Your usual shower gel or soap;
- A few drops of essential oil (true lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, or lemon);
- A moisturizer of your choice;
- Possibly a pumice stone.
Start by soaking your feet in a basin of hot water for 5 minutes to soften the flesh and promote the dilation of pores.
Mix baking soda and shower gel or soap.
Moderate the amount of your soap to get a slightly grainy paste.
Finally, add drops of essential oil.
Massage your feet, the granules will exfoliate and eliminate dead skin.
If necessary, remove the callus with the pumice stone by rubbing gently on the thick calluses.
Rinse.
Apply moisturizer. Instead of this cream, you can take:
- Shea butter;
- Argan oil;
- Coconut oil;
- Sweet almond oil.
Do this treatment once a week. A perfect exfoliant, the baking soda footbath ensures softness and comfort all year round.
Trick
This simple and economical treatment also works very well to keep beautiful hands.
5. IN CASE OF FATIGUE, BAKING SODA
If you’ve been walking, stomping all day, or enjoying your best high heels, your feet hurt and your legs feel heavy. Prepare yourself a foot bath with this:
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda;
- 4 to 5 liters of hot water.
Keep your feet in the water for 20 minutes. While the heat of the water relaxes the muscles, the bicarbonate helps eliminate accumulated toxins.
Finish with a cold rinse to stimulate blood circulation.
You can, if you wish, add a drop of essential oil to enhance the effect of your foot bath. We remind you of the importance of always checking the precautions for use and taking advice from your pharmacist when buying an essential oil.
- Bergamot, antiseptic and deodorant;
- Relaxing chamomile;
- Lemon for lymphatic drainage and an antiseptic effect;
- Cypress improves blood circulation;
- Juniper and Scots pine fight against rheumatism;
- Marjoram relieves muscle pain;
- Patchouli and sandalwood energize the venous system.
TO KNOW
In case of edema, alternate hot and cold to relieve swollen feet and ankles.
In rheumatology, the temperature of the footbath does not exceed 38°.
The ideal duration of a foot bath is between 10 and 15 minutes.
In any case, it must be comfortable.
In the presence of nail fungus, special attention is paid to drying the feet, especially between the toes.
Certain situations require the advice of the doctor, in particular:
- Heart failure ;
- Surgical intervention less than a month old;
- Ulcer of the lower limbs;
- Obesity ;
- Diabetes.
6. BICARBONATE AND LEMON FOOT BATH TO FIGHT YELLOW NAILS
Do you dream of a pedicure? You can already treat yourself to this relaxing foot bath which is also a beauty treatment aimed at improving the condition of your nails.
Here is what you need:
- A liter of lukewarm water in a basin
- A quarter cup of baking soda
- A squeezed lemon
Start by rubbing your nails with the rest of the lemon from which you have extracted the juice. Then, soak your feet in the preparation for a quarter of an hour.
Baking soda has many virtues in the kitchen as well as in care or beauty. It eliminates bad odors and has a soothing and relaxing effect on your tired feet.
You can use baking soda in the shower for an exfoliating effect by mixing it with a dab of shower gel and rubbing your feet with it.
Photo: Pexels/Cottonbro
