paint_chips, baking soda is a water softener. tina, jasmine essential oil most certainly does exist, but it's one of the most expensive ones there is. That's one of the few products, along with rose and orange-blossom (neroli), where I relax my strictness and purchase diluted versions (must be diluted in jojoba or fractionated coconut oil and nothing else). Often it's available as an "absolute" rather than an "essential oil" and that is fine. It's just a difference in the way the end product is obtained. Just make sure you're not getting fragrance oil which is fake. And thank you for the compliment but I've never sold anything I've written (you could wallpaper igloochic's giant new house with the rejection letters), and when I've attempted to write to spec, it - to put it plainly - sucks. The funky phrases and things like that just come when they want to, not when I want them. mitch, you got your hands on an unusual one if you've got Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora) essential oil. Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) is much more common. Camphoraceous fragrances are a BEAST to work with because they stomp all over other scents like an olfactory Godzilla, but I'd try Chamomile, citrus, or woodsy-ish fragrances like bay laurel, sandalwood or cedarwood. Lavender can be a good addition depending on the subtype - head for the sweeter varieties. cooperbailey, you actually made a "bath tea" rather than bath salts. Bath teas are fabulous, and a very good way to do oatmeal baths without gunking up the drains. I buy those iron-closed empty tea bags (the big ones, 4x5) in bulk packages of 50 or 100 - they're quite inexpensive - and package the filled tea-bags up in bags of 10 or so for a gift. I love the muslin bags but have personally found that herbs and other plant materials mold quickly in them if repeatedly wetted and dried and so were only usable a couple of times - so I use the muslin bags for things that would stay dry like stinky-shoe-savers, lavender dryer bags, sachets, etc. (Here's where I get that stuff, as well as herbs I use in large amounts like lavender. It's a wholesaler that sells to anyone as long as you can cobble up a $30 minimum, and with the range of things they have that's not difficult IMO!)

It is very hard to distill your own oils. You really are better off just buying the essential oils you like.

You can use either Epsom Salts or Sea Salts in your bath salt recipes. Here in the U.S., Epsom Salt is very cheap and easy to come by, which is why it is so popular. Here is a recipe from another board I belong to that you may find useful. As for what each ingredient does, I can't answer that one. I have never made bath salts although I have toyed with the idea (just haven't gotten around to it yet). Susan Bath Salts Sea salt, Epsom salts, or borax (one or a combination of all three) Essential oil in desired fragrance Food coloring Dried herbs such as rose petals or rosemary (optional) Powdered milk to moisturize skin (optional) Glass bottles or jars Combine the salts and add the oil one drop at a time. Gradually add coloring until the desired color is achieved. Add the dried herbs and powdered milk. Transfer the salts to decorative bottles or jars, and apply labels. Sprinkle the salts into your bathwater as the tub fills to release the aroma from the essential oil. Note: if you're using dried herbs in the recipe, tie the salts in a small muslin bundle before adding to the bath water so that the botanical material won't cling to your skin or clog the drain. _________________ Bright blessings, Rachel - Board Moderator/Owner http://www.scentbyspirit.com

I don't use a recipe. I like several things in mine and the rest is up to my mood, or what's in the ingredient cupboard. I like sea salt and epsom salt. I also like to mix in a bit of collidial oatmeal. (Aveeno~but Walmart has a knock off that is much cheaper, and I use that.) Sometimes I'll grate in some "butter", or mix in a bit of good "skin" oil. Glycerin is a nice medium to mix in the scent and color. But if a person has trouble with yeast infections, then adding "sugar" to their bath is not a good idea. In that case just use a nice oil. Jojoba, rice bran, safflower. Stuff like that. Powdered milk is a nice touch, powdered goat milk too...Really the sky is the limit. Just play, have fun, and let everyone enjoy the good stuff!