How to Make Fizzing Bath Bombs with Herbs and Essential Oils
If you have been following my blog for awhile now, you probably already know that I really love the Christmas season. There are many reasons why, but one of them is that giving is one of my main love languages. I love giving thoughtful gifts. I do not make handmade gifts every year, but when I do, I have a lot of fun with it. I know that many of you like to make gifts too, so I am sharing a few gift-able DIY recipes here on the blog this month.
Have you ever tried using a bath bomb before? You add one to your bath water and it fizzes and bubbles away and makes the water smell lovely. I especially love using them as a treat when my muscles are feeling a bit tight or when I feel like my respiratory system could use a little boost. Soaking in a forest-scented tub feels almost as good as walking through the woods on a misty morning.
I also love how much opportunity for creativity bath bomb recipes bring. While the base recipe stays the same, the colors, mix-ins and aromas can be completely customized. Colored clay powders are a great natural way to add a pretty hue to your finished product. Here is one of my favorite recipes.
Ingredients and Supplies
2 cups of baking soda
1 cup of citric acid
2 TBSP organic corn starch (optional)
2 tbsp French green clay powder or purple Brazilian clay powder
4 tablespoons of jojoba oil
Witch hazel in a spray bottle
20 drops of pine needle essential oil (use whichever species you have on hand; I used white pine)
12 drops of spruce essential oil (again, use whichever species you have on hand; I used white spruce)
4 drops of vetiver essential oil
Rolled oats (optional - to decorate; you could also use dried, chopped pine needles or rose petals)
Mixing bowl and spoon
Bath bomb mold (you can use a round ball ornament from the craft store instead – look for the kind that splits into two halves
Note: You could substitute all of the essential oils here with any bath-friendly essential oils of your choice. Lavender makes a versatile choice on its own and can be combined with a number of other options if you would rather go for a floral, relaxing blend.
Instructions
Combine the baking soda, citric acid, corn starch and clay powder in a large bowl. Make sure they are thoroughly mixed together.
In a separate bowl, combine the jojoba oil and the essential oils.
Add the oils to the powders and mix together thoroughly. You may need to use your hands for this step. I recommend wearing a pair of gloves.
Spritz a bit of witch hazel into the mix (only the tiniest bit – one spray at a time) and continue to massage it into the mix.
When it starts to have the consistency of slightly wet sand, place the mixture into both halves of the mold. (Don’t use too much witch hazel or your mix will start fizzing and expanding too early and you will be left with a mess.) Press the two halves of the mold together firmly, then remove from the mold and allow to air dry overnight or until the bath fizz has hardened.
Package them up in little paper boxes or tins and they are ready to give away!
Tip: If you want to use some rolled oats or dried herbs to decorate the top of the bath bomb, you can sprinkle them into the bottom of one of the halves of the mold before adding your powdered mix to it.
About the Author
Hi there, I’m Erin! I am the main instructor here at Floranella. I am a clinical herbalist, aromatherapist, artisan distiller and organic gardener based in the Pacific Northwest. Here at Floranella, I teach people how to work with plants safely and effectively from the garden to the apothecary. Thanks for being here! I’m glad you stopped by.
