The holiday season, as beautiful and magical it can be, it also tends to be a busy and intense time of the year. So, imagine this: after a long and busy day, when your feet are tired and achy, give yourself a break and enjoy some peace and a quiet moment just for yourself.

Comfortably sit for 15-20 minutes in perfect stillness. Your feet soaking in pleasant warm water and the scent of pine and juniper will transport you to an enchanted forest. Light a candle, enjoy a cup of tea and just be in the moment.

This easy pine needle foot soak will relax your muscles and sooth your tired feet. Juniper berries, cloves and star anise add an amazing aroma, give this foot bath additional antibacterial and antiseptic properties, boost skin health, and can help with circulation. Added olive oil will moisturize your skin beautifully and the essential oils provide an extra magical scent to make this foot soak an even more relaxing experience for all your senses.

TIPS TO MAKE THE PERFECT RELAXING PINE NEEDLE FOOT SOAK

Please identify your pine needles and juniper berries as such, since there are poisonous evergreens like Yew.

Make sure to source evergreens that are clean and haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.

Always dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil before adding it to the water.

To fully enjoy the relaxing benefits of your foot soak, make sure your smartphone is out of reach.

Prep for afterwards and place all items (beverage, towel, foot cream etc.) you might need close to your foot bath.

Taking a break and enjoying some quiet time without any distractions can bring up a great sense of peace and relaxation. However, be aware that it can also bring up some emotions that you might have been just too busy to allow yourself to feel lately. Let them float up like the pine needles and juniper berries in your water, acknowledge them without judgement and don’t be afraid to give them some space.

INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED

1 cup        fresh pine needles
¼ cup         star anise
1 tbsp         juniper berries
1 tbsp        cloves
3 tbsp        olive oil
10-15 drops pine essential oil
½ cup        epsom salt

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

basin, foot bath or big bowl large enough to comfortably fit your feet
big pot
fine mesh strainer
scissors
mortar and pestle

INSTRUCTIONS

Chop pine needles with scissors into small pieces.

Crush star anise, cloves and juniper berries lightly with a mortar and pestle.

Add your chopped needles and crushed spices to a pot with two liters of water, bring to a boil and steep for 15 minutes.

Dilute the essential oil with olive oil.

Get everything ready for afterwards, like lighting a candle, get your towel, hot beverage and foot cream ready for afterwards.

Fill your foot bath with 2-3 inches of warm water.

Strain the pine needle brew through a fine mesh sieve into your foot bath.

Add in Epsom salt and olive oil mixture and stir until nicely combined.

Enjoy your foot soak for 15-20 minutes and relax with the magical forest scent.

Rinse your feet afterwards, pat them dry and apply foot cream or moisturizer.