Simple Homemade Citrus Thyme Lavender Salt Scrub

Scrambling for a last-minute Christmas gift? Check out my Simple Homemade Citrus Thyme Lavender Salt Scrub—you've probably got most of the ingredients already in your home!

 

This has been a tough holiday season for the Full Belly Sisters. Our dad has been in the hospital for a week; he's stable now but won't be home with us for Christmas. We've been practically living at the hospital with him, so there hasn't been much time to do the usual readying for the holidays. Luckily, I knew I could make this easy, homemade gift in no time: my Simple Homemade Citrus Thyme Lavender Salt Scrub. It's rustic but also looks elegant and feels like a real luxury to the gift recipient—whether it's a teacher, friend, or neighbor. And it takes much less time to make than baking batch after batch of cookies!

Best of all, this homemade salt scrub can easily be adapted, based on what you've got in the house. You can switch out the Epsom salt for a coarse sea salt; use grapefruit instead of the lemon and clementines; try rosemary or dried lavender or even a vanilla bean pod in lieu of thyme; use coconut or almond oil instead of olive oil. Basically: you can't go wrong, it'll turn out fabulous, no matter what yummy-smelling ingredients you use. 

The one ingredient you might not have on hand is the lavender oil. But it's easily purchased online, or at any health food store. In fact, lots of regular drugstores carry it, as well. It's a wonderful, powerfully-relaxing aroma. I made this scrub after a long, stressful day at the hospital; let me tell you, just the smell of everything was immediately soothing to my weary self.

NOTE: Consult your physician before using essential oils if you have high blood pressure, are pregnant or have other medical concerns.

I made a huge batch of this Simple Homemade Citrus Thyme Lavender Salt Scrub, so I could get a whole bunch of gifts out of it. 

Ingredients
makes 10 four-ounce jars

• 4 1/2 to 5 cups Epsom salt
• zest of two lemons
• zest of two clementines
• small bunch of thyme, leaves removed and stems discarded
• about 50 drops lavender oil
• 2 cups light olive oil

Mix the salt, zest, thyme leaves, lavender and olive oils together in a large bowl. Add more zest, thyme, or lavender oil, if you'd like, to adjust the smell to your preference. If the scrub feels too coarse to you, just add a bit more oil.

Scoop the homemade salt scrub into jars and decorate, if you like. I just added a simple label (that came with the jars) and some red and white twine. I'm not a super crafty person, but I think the gifts look nice.

I love to keep this salt scrub by my kitchen sink, so I can moisturize my hands after washing lots of dishes. Just scrub on in a circular motion, rinse with warm water, and pat your hands dry.

 

I'm giving these pretty jars to my friends and to my son's teachers. Who will you give them to? And how are you finding simple ways to relax during this stressful time of year?


If you'd prefer to make something edible as a last-minute homemade gift, try my Herb-Marinated Cheeses:

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