Ever since the late second trimester of my pregnancy with Tessa (over two years ago now!), there has been an epic and ongoing battle between me and my feet.
With Tessa, I came down with a bad case of edema. The only way I can really describe the way my feet and ankles swelled up is: John Travolta in drag in the movie Hairspray. Yeah, that’s the best I can do.
So anyway, there I was, waddling around on overstuffed sausage feet with no discernible ankle to speak of, and none of my shoes would fit. At all. I couldn’t squeeze a single pair on. So I had to buy some stretchy slippers with hard soles as makeshift shoes. I bought two pairs and wore them from around Week 28 to delivery (and even a couple of weeks post pregnancy). But mostly, I just went barefoot whenever possible.
Which resulted in some horribly cracked heels and dry, icky feet. I am STILL in the process of fixing my feet that bear the battle scars of perpetual barefootedness. I am slowly winning this war I have declared on my cracked heels, and one of the biggest tools that I have found is foot soaks! I am having fun mixing up soaks with some of my favorite ingredients, so you guys KNEW it was only a matter of time before I made a red clover soak, hehe!
How to Make
1 Gallon ofFiltered Water
4 Tea Bags of Red Clover
1 Cup of Epsom Salts
5-10 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Bring your filtered water to a boil, and then steep the Red Clover tea bags in the water for 5 minutes. Add the Epsom Salts and Lavender Essential Oil, stirring till dissolved. When cool enough, immerse your feet in the soak for 20 to 30 minutes, then use a pumice stone to work away the dry areas. Cover your feet in foot lotion and put socks on to lock in the moisture. Simple, relaxing and easy!
Why These Ingredients
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt, named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Long known as a natural remedy for a number of ailments, epsom salt has numerous health benefits.
Studies have shown that magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin, making epsom salt baths and foot soaks an easy and ideal way to enjoy the health benefits. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function and helping to prevent artery hardening. The magnesium helps to produce serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. The sulfates in the epsom salt also help improve the absorption of nutrients and help flush toxins from the body.
Red Clover
Herbal infusions have been used for centuries long before the advent of over the counter skin products, and have been the go-to method since the dawn of time to naturally keep skin beautiful, healthy and glowing.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a wild, leguminous, perennial herb that is native to the meadows of Europe, Western Asia and Africa, and has now been naturalized here in the US of A. The entire plant, from the sweet tasting, tiny pink flowers to the leafy greens are edible and can be used to make sweet herbal tea for botanical rinses and therapeutic purposes.
Red Clover is a natural anti-inflammatory, and traditionally, red clover ointments have been applied to the skin to treat psoriasis, eczema, and other rashes. It is a storehouse of many vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, such as calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.
When steeped to make a tea or herbal infusion, Red Clover is rich in isoflavones. Red Clover is considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones, which are water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens (known collectively as phytoestrogens). These isoflavones work to make skin soft and help prevent skin irritations and inflammation. Red Clover also just smells GREAT!
Lavender Essential Oil
This ingredient is mostly thrown in for the pleasant smell (it pairs really well with Red Clover), but it hosts it’s own benefits for cleansing, beautifying skin and aromatherapy!
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. According to dermatologists and aromatherapists, lavender essential oil is one of the most beneficial oils in the treatment of acne.
Lavender Essential Oil inhibits the bacteria that cause the initial infection, helps to regulate some of the over-excretion of sebum by hormonal manipulation, and can reduce the signs of scarring after the acne has begun to heal.
As for aromatherapy benefits, Lavender is an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has balancing properties that can also boost stamina and energy.
The soak softened my feet enough to remove a good layer of dead skin, and my feet have a decidedly tingly feeling, even hours after the soak. I’m planning on doing a weekly soak, and moisturizing nightly till I get my feet back to presentable shape. This battle is almost won!! ^_^
These super- grear recipes.
thank you for sharing.
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Gingi, I made a promise to care for my feet more, esoecially while my leg is healing… my feet had become very dried and cracked with all the walking… I’m going to try this foot soak out at least once a week xox
I remember reading about your ‘battle with your cracked feet’ before, it is still ongoing, huh? Feet – we use and abuse them all the time, so we really should treat them more. Your soaking bath sounds fantastic. As someone who loves to walk around barefoot whenever and wherever I can, I know a bit about foot abuse. And then last year my foot injury… I think I am going to see if I can find some red clover tea now 🙂
I can’t relate to the edema, but I can relate to ugly feet. Mine look horrible in the winter because nobody sees them. 😉 Thanks for this awesome post, you’ve convinced me to take better care of my feet and I’m sure my husband will thank you-haha!
I do not know what I would do without Epsom Salt. I always keep some around. I’m going to try this foot soak after a long day. http://www.toyastales.blogspot.com
Sounds amazing – thanks for the recipe!
Happy new year 🙂
xoxox,
CC
<3 <3 Happy New Year! <3
These super- grear recipes.
thank you for sharing.
would you like to follow each other on Google Friend connect and google +?
let me know if you follow me and i will follow you back.
http://www.tomntins.com
Of course! Ill go follow you now! <3
Oooh, I have GOT to try this! And, I have all the ingredients. Score! 🙂
Does not surprise me you do!! Cuz youre AWESOME!!! <3
Gingi, I made a promise to care for my feet more, esoecially while my leg is healing… my feet had become very dried and cracked with all the walking… I’m going to try this foot soak out at least once a week xox
Happy New Year to you and your family ♡
Ohhh, we should hold each other accountable and see if we can tackle feet teamwork style!!
Great recipe!
Wishing you a very happy new year!
Kisses, Paola.
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I remember reading about your ‘battle with your cracked feet’ before, it is still ongoing, huh? Feet – we use and abuse them all the time, so we really should treat them more. Your soaking bath sounds fantastic. As someone who loves to walk around barefoot whenever and wherever I can, I know a bit about foot abuse. And then last year my foot injury… I think I am going to see if I can find some red clover tea now 🙂
Yup! It got better, then I just let them go with the second pregnancy.. but I really do mean war now! Serious!!!!
This sounds oh-so-good right about now for those winter-bound feet. Lavender revives, doesn’t it?
;-}
YES! Its one of my favorites!
I can’t relate to the edema, but I can relate to ugly feet. Mine look horrible in the winter because nobody sees them. 😉 Thanks for this awesome post, you’ve convinced me to take better care of my feet and I’m sure my husband will thank you-haha!
Feet are often neglected.. I think everyone could stand to take better care of their feet!
I have never used red clover before, but I think I probably should start. This looks fabulous. Feet are so important 🙂
You need to!!!
great,great post 🙂 i hope you’re having an amazing day!
mfashionfreak♥blog
You too sweetie! Happy New Year!
Great post ! 🙂
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very interesting post
HAPPY NEW YEAR
fashion blogger
kiss
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Happy New Year darling! This sounds great <3
<3
Yes to this! Many times, my feet go by the wayside in the winter. No more! I’ll be going to Florida soon and I need some TLC.
Ohhhh, didnt you go to Florida earlier this year? I remember seeing some amazing photos from you…
I’m not familiar with red clover, but I need a foot soak badly right now. Awesome post! Happy 2016, dear! xoxo
Happy New Year!! <3
Thanks for the ‘recipe’. I really should try a foot soak more often because I have bad feet and really dry/cracked heels.
For some reason, feet soaks work WAY better for me than a simple shower.. no idea why…
Hope your battle with your feet is over soon, Gingi. Happy 2016!!
xox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
Me too!! haha!! Happy 2016!!
This soak sounds wonderful! I need to try this 🙂
Please do, and let me know what you think!! <3
This sounds wonderful, perfect for winter which is so tough on my feet. Thanks!
Yeah, winter is NOT kind to my feet!
I do not know what I would do without Epsom Salt. I always keep some around. I’m going to try this foot soak after a long day.
http://www.toyastales.blogspot.com
Yeah, that stuff is magical!
I love lavender! This sounds perfect for this cold weather. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the informative information…. definitely I will try this 🙂
The recipe sounds really good. I would definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing!