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Of all the natural remedies you’ve heard of, but aren’t quite sure where or how you’ve heard of them, mustard baths probably top the list. Made under-the-radar famous thanks to Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath, this Ayurvedic remedy has been touted by celebrities and splashed all over the pages of fashion magazines—without a lick of advertising or a single social media sponsorship. It’s the ultimate word-of-mouth success story.
And like most natural remedies, it’s easier to make your own DIY mustard bath at home than buy it at the store, which is good for your peace of mind (no icky ingredients here) and even better for your bank account.
What Is a Mustard Bath
Mustard powder has been used medicinally as far back as ancient Greece and India, and it still has a prominent place in modern Ayurveda. When eaten or applied topically, mustard warms the body and is said to help boost circulation, relax tired muscles and release toxins stored in the body.
Like the name suggests, a mustard bath is simply a mixture of mustard powder, sodium carbonate and other botanicals, that’s dissolved in bath water. While not as popular today as they were a century ago, mustard baths are often used to alleviate stress, soothe aches and pains and lower inflammation. And Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath, in particular, is combined with targeted essential oils, like rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, and wintergreen, to help stimulate and rejuvenate the body.
But you don’t need to spend the money ($$$) on Dr. Singha’s formula to reap the benefits of mustard baths. By combining mustard powder with sodium carbonate and essential oils, you can easily make your own mustard bath soak at home in bulk.
DIY Mustard Bath Recipe
Before we get started, just note that sodium carbonate, also known as washing soda, is not the same as sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. While sodium carbonate is mostly used in the laundry room to boost the effectiveness of your detergent, it can be added to hot tubs, pools, and baths to raise the pH. By softening the water, sodium carbonate helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
If you can’t get your hands on sodium carbonate, or you’d just prefer to save the money, you can use baking soda instead. While it may not make your skin as soft as Dr. Singha’s, it’ll do the job well enough.
As for the essential oils, use as many as you have on hand. If you’re missing some oils, feel free to toss in a few fresh herb sprigs or a handful of dried herbs (to make cleanup a breeze, wrap them in cheesecloth or a cloth teabag to keep them from clogging the drain). Or simply swap in oils you’ve already got.
Mustard Bath Ingredients
—1/2 cup sodium carbonate
—1/2 cup pink sea salt, finely ground
—1/4 cup organic mustard powder (use more for a stronger warming sensation)
—4 drops peppermint essential oil
—3 drops rosemary essential oil
—3 drops thyme essential oil
—6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Step 1 | Combine powders
Start by combing the sodium carbonate, sea salt and mustard powder in a small bowl. Stir well.
Step 2 | Add oils
Add the essential oils and stir again, making sure to break up any clumps as best you can.
Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
How to Take a Mustard Bath
Mustard powder has been known to cause severe skin burns, on occasion. Before climbing in the tub, dissolve some of the mustard bath mixture in water and test it out on a small patch of skin to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction.
For a full bath, turn the tap on hot and pour 1/4 cup mustard soak under running water. Use your hands to swirl the water and dissolve the mustard bath before climbing in.
Soak for 20 minutes, replenishing the water as needed to keep the temperature up and your body sweating (but not so hot you feel as if you might pass out!)
Finish with a cool shower.
Dry off with a towel and apply a healthy dose of moisturizer.
Alternately: If you don’t want a full bath, you can reap many of the same benefits with a foot bath. Simply spoon 1 tablespoon mustard soak into a large bowl. Fill the bowl 3/4 of the way with warm water and stir to dissolve. Soak feet for 20 minutes. Finish with a short cold soak before patting feet dry.
Mustard Bath FAQ
Will mustard stain my tub?
If left to sit for long periods of time, mustard may discolor a white or light-colored tub. Immediately after taking a mustard bath, clean the bottom of the tub and get rid of any lingering mustard powder that may stain the plastic or tile.
Is mustard bath good for arthritis?
While there aren’t any studies on the subject, the warming effects of mustard may help lessen the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Is mustard safe for sensitive skin?
Since mustard causes skin to feel warm or flushed, it may not be suitable for sensitive skin. Like with other bath and body products, it’s best to test it first.
Dissolve a little mustard bath in water and apply a small amount to an inconspicuous patch of skin. If all goes well and you don’t notice any redness or irritation, it should be safe to use it in the bath tub.
