I love the Ayishu inspired Bain de Pied, it is something really quite special to commence Massage Time with this feet treat ritual I have developed for my clients. I have explained more about the Ayishu Inspired Bain de Pied in a separate article, you can access easily by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page.
Some of these benefits of a Bain de Pied, include mental relaxation, release of muscle tension, better sleep, reduced stress, increased circulation, and replenishment of the body’s minerals. On an energetic level, foot soaks disperse stagnant energy and will move it to different regions of the body.
Using the principles of the Onsen and using a foot soak to increase your overall body temperature, which can relieve muscle and mental tension, alleviate stress and increase white blood cell activity.
The combination of salt, water, and soaking sanitizes feet because bacteria can’t thrive in salty environments, so these footbaths can help inhibit the growth of nasty microorganisms. Any solution that contains salt will help reduce joint inflammation.
In addition I use a variety of herbs, citrus peels and a “secret ingredient or two” that leave the feet feeling soft and supple!
I think it is important to know what I am using for the Bain de Pied, this is the same as knowing which Essential Oils are good for the variety of uses in the TREATment Room and beyond!
As with Essential Oils, the various herbs, spices and peels have benefits that we may not think about at the time our feet are soaking, and then being tended to with the feet treat scrub.
To complete the Bain de Pied I gently dry the feet with a Japanese towel – tenugui (手拭い), literally “hand-wiper” which are traditional Japanese cotton towels that have been a staple of the Japanese home since the 9th century.
I love the feel of the Tenugui, and maybe it is only a minor detail but I find that it is worth that little extra treat for the feet. Whilst they are available they are not the most affordable of “towels” eventually I would hope to have a couple more in The TR but that comes with time and available budget! I have other lovely soft cloths too as I find they are more practical and easier to dry the feet than a standard towel.
What’s in the Ayishu inspired Bain de Pied?
Where possible I use as much as I can from the garden, which are mainly herbs and flowers. Spices are bought especially for the Bain de Pied and as the seasonal changes come along, there will be some change in these ingredients.
I also add Essential Oils and a lovely base oil to add to the already softening ingredients in the water.
So, what are the herbs, spices and peels that are mainly used within the foot soak and what are the benefits?
CITRUS
The Citrus choices include:
GRAPEFRUIT:
Grapefruit contains various different acids – from citric to tartaric – which can play an essential role in your skin’s health by helping with exfoliation. They’re thought to be able to aid with breaking down dead skin cells and smoothing out the surface of the skin. Grapefruit peels are high in vitamin C and antioxidants that can help wash away bacteria, reduce redness and inflammation, and tighten your skin.
LEMON:
Lemon peel is a great exfoliator as it helps to cleanse your skin and also pulls out the dirt and dust from the skin. Using lemon peel can help to get rid of the dead skin cells easily and also gives you a soft and smooth skin.
If you are suffering from foot odour, lemon peel is extremely beneficial for you! Lemon works to stimulate the toxin elimination process. This natural solution harnesses the antibacterial power of a lemon to relieve the pain and tenderness associated with aching feet. Pain relief aside, a lemon juice foot soak will also work as an exfoliator
LIME:
Tired Feet? After a long day on your feet, soak them in warm water containing lime and enjoy the cooling, astringent sensation. This will also help promote deep sleep due to the relaxing action on the foot nerves. Lime Oil helps to fight and protect against viral infections, helps restore energy, and reduces pain in muscles and joints.
ORANGE:
Orange peel is rich in organic acids, vitamin C and essential oil. After being soaked in hot water, these substances will be dissolved. When the weather is dry, the skin is easy to lose water and become rough and inelastic. After the orange peel is soaked in water, the nutrients contained in the orange peel penetrate into the skin, which can not only prevent the skin from evaporating, but also remove the dirt, and also help to moisturize the skin and eliminate fatigue.
Cucumber slices can add some soothing coolness.
SPICES
So many spices to choose from and overtime there will be chance to try new ideas within your Bain de Pied.
FRESH GINGER:
Helps relieve colds, support good sleep and help calm the parasympathetic nervous system. In addition, it promotes circulation, reduces inflammation, and helps eliminate bacteria and viruses. Since ginger is both warming and energizing, it is especially helpful in cold weather.
SAGE:
Sage contains vitamins A and C, along with several other antioxidants.
It can revive tired, swollen feet, and,used regularly, regulate perspiration and make the skin soft and smooth. also relieves muscle tightness (perfect for post-workout!) and smells divine.
CINNAMON:
Cinnamon offers a plethora of health benefits for your feet, including acting as a natural remedy for Athlete’s foot, cold feet, foot odour and more.
By adding cinnamon to your Bain de Pied it is an excellent way to spice up your self-care ritual. Traditionally used for warming in energetically cold conditions, cinnamon is also used as a circulatory stimulant to encourage peripheral blood flow to the hands and feet.
CLOVES:
Cloves, have long been used in Ayurvedic medicine for their medicinal properties.
In the case of clove, this fragrant herb is recommended for those suffering from the energy of envy, the evil eye, and the well-known fat eye.
This is due to the clove’s ability to cleanse the aura while still attracting positive energy. As a result, it is recommended to ward off all evils that harm the spirit, aura, and body. According to the study, a clove bath can also help with fatigue and melancholy.
BAY LEAVES:
Bay leaves can be effective against many infections from fungi, bacteria, and protozoa.These properties, along with their ascorbic acid or vitamin C content, can protect the skin from any infection and irritation.
PEPPPERMINT
Fresh Peppermint foot bath is refreshing and will make your overheated and exhausted feet feel just like new! If you are on your feet all day long, this is the perfect way to revive and comfort them. Peppermint’s antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties make it a powerful disinfectant that helps combat foot odour. Refreshing and soothes aching muscles while also helping to release them by easing tension and tightness
Fresh Peppermint in your Bain de Pied provides a natural invigorating relief from the heat.
Crushed mint, lemon balm, and lemon verbena are refreshing and reviving.
Rosemary can help perk you up.
Feverfew may help alleviate headaches.
FLOWERS
The choices are seasonal – but I am drying as many flowers with beneficial properties as I go through the seasons….
LAVENDER FLOWERS:
Lavender gets its name from the Latin word Lavare, meaning ‘to wash’, which is believed to refer to the way infusions of this herb were used for washing and cleansing purposes.
Reduces stress, relieves foot pain, softens skin, softens cuticles. Lavender Oil is high in natural antioxidants, which reverse the effects of toxins and counteract the effect of environmental stress. Just as it helps to relax your mind, it’s great for purifying skin and leaving it refreshed and reenergized.
Lavender has been used for centuries to calm, balance, and soothe for good reason: it’s a useful way to de-stress. As we go about our daily lives, we are continually absorbing the energies of those around us. These energies can cause blockages in our auras which can lead to us feeling emotionally overwhelmed and drained. lavender flowers have very calming and cleansing properties which perfect pairing for a relaxing bain de pied!
The spiritual meaning of Lavender flowers represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness. Purple is the color of royalty and speaks of elegance, refinement, and luxury, too. The color is also associated with the crown chakra, which is the energy center associated with higher purpose and spiritual connectivity.
ROSE PETALS
The rose has long been used to communicate one’s love for another and to bring beauty into any given environment. Their natural scent is also one of the most recognizable and desirable in the world–even the ancient Greeks and Romans would use rose petals to perfume their baths.
The herbal actions of the rose are pretty impressive. It’s nutrient-rich, astringent, diuretic and anti-inflammatory and also used for uplifting the spirits, for grief, PMS, upset tummy, sore throats, colds and during the menopause.
The Petals aroma has been linked to stimulating the release of feel-good hormones such as serotonin. Serotonin helps relieve depression and anxiety. Rose water may also help alleviate stress-induced headaches.
Known as a powerful mood enhancer, rose petals can help you get rid feelings of anxiety. Apart from being a detox for your body, it will also help you sleep better.
Rose petals allows for an elimination of many of the things that can contribute to unclean, uncomfortable, and unattractive feet and toes. Anti-inflammatory benefits can help to reduce swelling of the feet and ankles. Antioxidant benefits.
Rose petals added to the Bain de Pied add an extra feeling of zen-like calm and rejuvenation.
The spiritual meaning of Roses – A Blossoming Journey of Love and Beauty
Its delicate petals, velvety texture, and enchanting fragrance are unparalleled, but the most interesting aspect of the rose is its profound spiritual significance: love, beauty, and inner growth as it relates to the heart.
As the months go by I will be looking into other lovely herbs, flowers and spices that can be added as a pot pourri to your Bain de Pied.
THE FEET TREAT SCRUB
The Essential Oil scents rather depends on the time of the year, especially as we draw to the winter months I am drawn to using ginger, cinammon, clove essential oils. Another favourite is the Woody EO’s but the most popular and always in demand is the rather heady scent of Rose and Geranium based Scrub. I only use the bare essential ingredients, the scrubs are made regularly and always decanted into a small bowl for use.
I can make a scrub without an Essential Oil added but would need to know beforehand……I also show you the list of ingredients at the time. But generally I have two choices for you..
I hope that this has given you an insight to this rather unique style bain de pied and when you are booking for your next Wellbeing Massage in The TR you decide to treat your feet.
