How to Make Ritual Bath Salts (+ Why Your Energy Will Thank You)
If your energy has felt heavy, foggy, overstimulated, or just plain off lately, this one's for you.
Ritual bath salts are one of the simplest, most accessible tools in a spiritual practice.
No elaborate altar, tools, or experience required.
Just you, a bathtub, + the intention to release what you've been carrying.
I've been making versions of this recipe for years, + there's almost always a jar sitting somewhere on my bathroom shelf. It's one of my favorite ways to reset when I feel emotionally drained, energetically cluttered, mentally overwhelmed, or disconnected from myself. + you might not be an essential oil pro (yet), but what’s beautiful about this practice is that I’m able t identify the exact oils I need in my bath salts based on what the energetic + spiritual needs I have.
Sometimes a hot shower isn't enough, but the ritual of creating the bath salts + visualizing with them does the trick.
What Are Ritual Bath Salts?
Ritual bath salts are simply bath salts infused with herbs an/or essential oils and/or botanicals, +, most importantly, intention. They combine the physical benefits of soaking in warm water with the symbolic practice of cleansing, releasing, grounding, receiving, or reconnecting with yourself.
The practice of ritual bathing isn't new + appears across countless cultures + spiritual traditions throughout history. From ancient Roman bathhouses to Jewish mikveh practices to cleansing baths used throughout Latin American spiritual traditions, water has long been viewed as a sacred tool for purification, healing, renewal, + transformation.
Salt carries its own rich history as well. For centuries, it has been associated with cleansing, protection, preservation, + the removal of stagnant energy. When water, salt, plants, + intention come together, they create a ritual that support you physically, emotionally, + spiritually.
The magic isn't necessarily in the ingredients themselves. The power comes from creating a moment of presence since the ritual bath salts invite you to slow down long enough to listen to yourself.
Why Make Your Own?
You can absolutely buy beautiful ritual bath products, but making your own allows you to infuse every step with your personal intention + ensure the quality of the ingredients you’re using. We don’t want to be throwing fragrance oils or oils made from exploitative practices that dishonor the earth or nearby cultures + communities.
When you choose the ingredients, cleanse the container, + blend everything with purpose, you're participating in the ritual before you ever step into the bath because the act of creating it becomes part of the practice.
It's also affordable, customizable, + honestly just really satisfying.
My Ritual Bath Salt Recipe
This is the standard blend I create or suggest to others when a basic energetic reset is needed. It's designed to support cleansing, grounding, spiritual connection, + renewal.
Ingredients
2 cups Epsom Salt
10 drops of Rosemary essential oil
10 drops Frankincense essential oil
10 drops Patchouli essential oil
Use code SHAREYL for a discount if you want any oils, bb.
Optional: a pinch of dried rose petals for beauty + self-love energy
Why These Ingredients?
Epsom Salt has long been used in cleansing + purification rituals. It’s associated with washing away stagnant energy while physically creating a soothing bath experience.
Rosemary is traditionally connected to protection, purification, remembrance, + energetic boundaries. It's one of my favorite herbs for creating clarity + helping a space or person feel refreshed.
Frankincense has been used in spiritual + ceremonial practices for thousands of years. It's often associated with prayer, mindfulness, spiritual connection, + elevating your perspective.
Patchouli brings grounding energy. When life feels chaotic, scattered, or overwhelming, Patchouli encourages presence, stability, + reconnection with your body. It also carries long-standing associations with abundance + prosperity which MIGHT be a shocker to ya.
How to Make Your Bath Salts
Start with a clean glass jar +, if you'd like, cleanse it energetically in whatever way feels meaningful to you. I often use palo santo, but you could also use prayer, sound, sunlight, moonlight, or simply set an intention for the space.
Add the Epsom salt to the jar. Add the Frankincense, Rosemary, + Patchouli essential oils + shake thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed. Add more oils or Epsom salts if necessary.
As you mix, focus on the intention you want this blend to carry. You might choose cleansing, renewal, protection, abundance, confidence, peace, or simply rest.
Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dry place until you're ready to use it.
How to Use Your Ritual Bath Salts
Add approximately ½ to 1 cup of bath salts to warm bathwater.
If you're calling something into your life, stir the water clockwise with your hand. If you're releasing something, stir counterclockwise.
You can place a water-safe crystal nearby OR in the tub itself, light a candle or other lowlighting, play meditation music, or put on a frequency playlist if that feels supportive. Many people enjoy using 963 Hz music, which is often associated with spiritual connection, higher consciousness, + the crown chakra.
As you settle into the bath, close your eyes and imagine the water gently pulling away anything you've been carrying that no longer belongs to you or is energetic residue from social situations: Stress, overwhelm, anxiety, fear, self-doubt, emotional heaviness, etc.
Visualize it leaving your body + dissolving into the water.
Stay in the bath until you feel complete (for my practical babes, aim for 15 minutes or until you start sweating, whichever comes LAST). If possible, remain present as the water drains. You are not just watching water disappear down the drain, you are consciously choosing to release what you're done carrying.
You might want to repeat this affirmation out loud or internally:
"I release what no longer serves me and step into my highest alignment."
Essential Oil Blends by Intention
One of my favorite things about ritual bath salts is how customizable they are. Once you understand the foundation, you can create blends for almost any intention.
For emotional healing + grief support, try Frankincense, Geranium, + the Forgiveness blend. This combo supports emotional release, heart healing, + creating space for compassion.
For stress, nervousness, + nervous system support, combine Lavender, Cedarwood, Vetiver, + Stress Away. The aroma is calming, grounding, + deeply restorative.
For confidence + self-worth, try Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, + Valor. This blend supports courage, authenticity, + showing up fully as yourself.
For abundance + manifestation work, combine Patchouli, Orange, + Abundance. The oils work together to create an atmosphere of expansion, prosperity, + possibility.
For protection + energetic cleansing, use Rosemary, Clove, Black Pepper, + Purification. This blend is wonderful after emotionally draining situations, crowded environments, or seasons when you feel energetically depleted.
For intuition + spiritual connection, combine Frankincense, Envision, + Clary Sage. This blend creates a beautiful environment for prayer, meditation, reflection, + inner guidance.
For self-love + heart healing, use Geranium, Ylang Ylang, + Joy. This blend feels nurturing, uplifting, + supportive when you're reconnecting with yourself.
A Few Notes Before You Soak
Essential oils are potent and should always be mixed into the salt before being added to bathwater. Adding undiluted oils directly to water can increase the risk of skin irritation because the oils remain concentrated on the surface.
If you're using citrus oils, be mindful of photosensitivity if you plan to spend significant time in direct sunlight afterward.
If you're using Cinnamon Bark, remember that a little goes a very long way. One or two drops is plenty.
The Bigger Picture
HUGE FAN of taking something simple, like a bath, into something powerful. But that’s the fun of ritual, right? Bringing awareness + intention into something mundane + making it a little more magical.
That's what accessible spirituality often looks like. Not complicated rituals, hours of meditation, or an altar that takes up half your living room.
Often, it's simply a jar on your bathroom shelf, a handful of salt, + the decision to be intentional about how you care for yourself.
The ingredients matter, but the real magic happens when you give yourself permission to slow down, listen inward, + consciously release what no longer belongs to you.
+ sometimes, that's all it takes to feel like yourself again.
Muah muah muah!
Love, Suzy
