An Easy DIY Foot Soak with Salt, Saro, Black Spruce, & Lavender

After a long day on your feet, there’s nothing quite as restorative as a warm, mineral-rich foot soak. It acts as an energetic reset, drawing stagnant energy down from a tired mind. Pair with a soothing herbal tea, like my favorite Orange Mint, and it’s the perfect way to end a day!

In this edition of our Spotlight on Saro Series, we’re combining the clearing, expansive energy of Saro (Cinnamosma fragrans) with a sweet conifer and a gentle floral to create a deeply relaxing, revitalizing foot bath.

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Making the Foot Soak

Best Natural Salts for a Foot Soak Blend

For centuries and across cultures around the world, salt baths have been used revive weary feet and soothe the body. When crafting your foot soak, here are some excellent natural salts to choose from. Choose just one, or make a blend:

• Dead Sea Salt: Mined from the mineral-dense waters of the Dead Sea, this salt is naturally rich in potassium, calcium, and sodium. Dead Sea salt that still contains some of the mud is exceptionally soothing for irritated or dry skin. (This is my personal favorite for soaking.)
• Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate): A classic favorite that dissolves quickly in water to soothe tired muscles, ease local physical tension, and soften calloused skin.
• Magnesium Chloride Flakes: Harvested from ancient underground seabeds, magnesium chloride flakes dissolve easily in warm water. They’re widely favored for sensitive skin and create a deeply soothing, skin-softening foot bath base.
• Pink Himalayan Salt: Rich in trace minerals that give it its signature pink hue, Himalayan salt creates a luxurious, comforting soak that relaxes the senses and supports skin softening.
• Sea Salt: Naturally evaporated ocean water salt that offers gentle, purifying properties to cleanse and refresh aching feet.

About the Other Foot Soak Ingredients

While a foot soak can be just the salt, if you like, but why not enhance the experience with a skin nourishing lipid carrier oil and some beautiful aromatics!

Carrier Oils: If you choose to include essential oils, a lipid carrier oil must be included as well. Essential oils do not dissolve in water; they just float on the surface. This means that your skin will be exposed to pure, undiluted (“neat”) essential oils, which can cause a reaction and over time sensitivity. A carrier oil helps support the skin barrier and safely dilutes essential oils. Some good options are Jojoba, Sunflower, Sweet Almond, Avocado, and Apricot Kernel oil.

Saro Essential Oil (Cinnamosma fragrans): Rich in the oxide 1,8-cineole (aka eucalyptol), Saro brings a crisp, refreshing note that clears sluggishness, revives weary feet, and creates an energetic shield around your physical body. (Learn more in the Saro Spotlight post.)

• Saro Substitute Suggestions: Because this is part of the Spotlight on Saro Series, I don’t recommend substituting. However, if you must, some options are Rosalina, Kunzea, or Red Myrtle.

Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana): Rich in the anti-inflammatory ester, bornyl acetate, Black Spruce contributes deeply grounding, forest-like aroma that offers comfort when you feel utterly exhausted.

• Black Spruce Substitute Suggestions: Use your favorite conifer! Try Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, or Scotch Pine for a similar woody, piney aroma.

Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia): Rich in calming linalool (monoterpenol) and linalyl acetate (ester), Lavender has a familiar, gentle floral note that eases nervous tension and prepares the body for rest. (Learn more in the Lavender Spotlight post.)

• Lavender Substitute Suggestions: Try Clary Sage or Roman Chamomile for a deeply calming alternative.

• 15g (about 1 tablespoon) Carrier Oil of choice
• 3 drops Saro (Cinnamosma fragrans)
• 3 drops Black Spruce (Picea mariana)
• 2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 115g (about 1 cup) Natural Salt of choice
• 8oz Jar with lid (repurposed, glass, or PET plastic)

🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below

Or see my Foot Care Favorites on Amazon.

📌Pin the Recipe

Make Your Foot Soak

1. Combine Oils: In a small glass bowl combine chosen carrier oil and Saro, Black Spruce, and Lavender essential oils. Stir well until fully incorporated.
2. Mix with Salts: Add 1 cup of chosen salt(s) to the oil mixture. Stir thoroughly until the salt crystals are evenly coated.
3. Store: Transfer the salt mixture to your jar of choice. Keep tightly sealed until ready to use.

Use Your Foot Soak

1. Collect Supplies: Foot basin, towels, a pitcher of warm water for rinsing, a book or journal, a cup of tea, foot oil or cream, and of course, your Sole-Full Soak blend.
2. Prepare the Basin: Fill the foot basin with very warm (not hot) water; enough to cover your ankles.
3. Dissolve: Pour 1/4-1/3 of the salt mixture into the warm water, agitating gently with your hand or a foot until the salt is fully dissolved.
4. Soak: Submerge your feet for 15-20 minutes. Relax. Close your eyes for a few minutes. Relax. Visualize stress, mental chatter, and stagnant energy moving down through your body and into the warm water. Sometimes imagining this energy as a color helps with visualization. Relax. Sip your tea. Relax. Journal or read, if you wish. Above all, relax!
5. After the Soak: When you’re done soaking, towel dry your feet. Then, while your skin is still warm and slightly damp, apply a nourishing foot massage oil (Sole-Full Serenity coming soon) or rich cream. Slip on a cozy pair of socks to help keep feet warm and encourage the oil or cream to moisturize the skin.
6. Enjoy this foot soak weekly.💚

🔶️Cautions & Safety Considerations

• Frequency: Frequent or prolonged soaking can dry the skin. Limit a foot soak to 15-20 minutes no more than twice a week. Always rinse feet with clean water after a salt soak and apply a nourishing oil or cream.
• Water Temperature: Avoid hot water if you have diabetes, neuropathy, poor circulation, or varicose veins. Warm water is safest and most effective for a foot soak for everyone.
• Slippery Surfaces: Even this small amount of carrier oil will make a foot basin or tub slightly slick. Use caution if standing.

Recommended Suppliers for Foot Soak Ingredients

Here’s a shortcut: You can find the foot bath I personally use and all of the ingredients to make this salt foot soak in my Foot Care Favorites on Amazon.

• Saro (Cinnamosma fragrans):
  • Aromatics International, wildcrafted (Direct and Amazon)
  • Edens Garden, sustainable (Amazon)

• Black Spruce essential oil (Picea mariana):
  • Nature Packaged, sustainably wildcrafted (Direct and Amazon)
    • Use code MOMAROMAS10 to save on every direct order and let them know I sent you!
  • Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
  • Aromatics International, organic (Direct and Amazon)

• Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia):
  • Nature Packaged (Direct and Amazon)
    • Nature Packaged has both Bulgarian and 40/42 Lavender, and a lovely Lavender hydrosol
    • Use code MOMAROMAS10 to save on every direct order and let them know I sent you!
  • Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
    • Plant Therapy’s Lavender hydrosol is lovely for skin care and general aromatherapy
  • Aromatics International, organic artisan (Direct and Amazon)
    • Aromatics’ preservative-free Lavender artisan hydrosol is beautiful for skin care

• Natural Salts
  • Dead Sea Salt, raw (from Aromasong on Amazon)
  • Epsom Salt/Magnesium Sulfate (from Sky Organics on Amazon)
  • Magnesium Chloride flakes (from Ancient Minerals on Amazon)
  • Mediterranean Sea Salt, fine (from Viva Doria on Amazon)
  • Pink Himalayan Salt, small & fine (from Aromatics International Direct and Amazon)
  • Pink Himalayan Salt, fine (from Viva Doria on Amazon)

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.