For tired feet and aching leg muscles, particularly after vigorous
exercise or jogging, soak your feet for 10 minutes in a herbal footbath
before rinsing them in cold water. Adding sea salt or Epsom Salts to the water is also helpful.
10 fl oz (280 ml) strong infusion of one of the following:
lavender, lime flowers, rosemary, peppermint (for peppermint, avoid
prolonged use), thyme, yarrow, mugwort
2 tbsp (30 ml) sea salt
OR
1 tbsp (15 ml) Epsom Salts
Fill a large bowl with very hot water to which you have added the herbal infusion and the sea salt or Epsom salts. After soaking you feet, finish with a foot rub (follows); alternatively with a relaxing oil.
Basic Infusions:
To each 1 pint (1/2 litre) boiling water.
Dried Herbs:
1/2 oz (14 g) for weak infusion
1 oz (28 g) for normal infusion
2 oz (56 g) for strong infusion
Fresh Herbs:
1-1/2 handfuls for weak infusion
3 handfuls for normal infusion
6 handfuls for strong infusion
Soothing Foot Rub
As a final restorative for tired feet, massage with this lotion after
soaking in a foot bath. Alum hardens the skin, helping to prevent
blisters; the oils feed dry patches that tend to crack; and the lavender
soothes aching muscles. Dip a piece of rough toweling into the
Lotion and rub into the feet, giving special attention to the insteps,
arches, and ankles.
3 tbsp (45 ml) sunflower oil
1/2 tbsp (7.5 ml) cider vinegar
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) oil of lavender
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) alum powder
Put all the ingredients into a jam jar and stand the jar in a pan of hot
water. Heat gently and stir. Allow it to cool, then screw on the lid and
shake thoroughly. Remove the lid until completely cold. Shake again
before use.
Linament: To one pint of cider vinegar add one ounce of aconite root, and a teaspoon each tincture of myrrh, oil of cedar, peppermint, clove, wormwood and thyme. If you do not have the herbs in oil form, the whole herb may be warmed in the cider then strained for use. For a lineament whcih will be warm to the skin, add two teapsoons camphor, one teaspoon bayberry and one teaspoon cayenne pepper to increase circulation.
