The Tibetan Foot Soak - exclusive to The Retreat

The Sacred Ritual of the Tibetan 12-Herb Foot Soak

Ancient Roots. Deep Healing. Grounded Wellbeing.

In the highlands of Tibet, where the air is thin and the mountains echo with silence, traditional healers have passed down a deeply therapeutic ritual: the 12-herb foot soak. Used for centuries to balance the body, soothe fatigue, and support internal harmony, this practice isn’t just about tired feet,it’s about whole-body healing through one of the most accessible pathways: your soles. This treatment is exclusive to The Retreat using a thousand year old family recipe passed on with love and care from Tibet. I have combined it with my favourite therapy, reflexology to create a magical and therapeutic treat.

What Is the Tibetan Foot Soak?

The Tibetan foot soak is a traditional remedy that uses a blend of 12 specific herbs, many of which grow in the wild, mineral-rich soil of the Himalayan region. These herbs are chosen for their warming, circulatory, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Steeping them in hot water creates a potent infusion that penetrates the skin through the feet—one of the most absorbent and energetically significant areas of the body.

Why the Feet?

In Tibetan medicine (and many other traditional systems), the feet are considered a gateway to the body’s inner organs and meridians. Soaking the feet in medicinal herbs allows these therapeutic properties to enter the bloodstream gently, calming the nervous system, stimulating circulation, and unblocking energetic stagnation.

It’s like giving your whole body a warm herbal embrace, through your feet.

The 12 Herbs: A Harmonious Blend

While the exact combination can vary slightly by region or lineage,and i'm not allowed to share my recipe, traditional Tibetan foot soaks often include:

• Safflower – stimulates blood circulation and relieves pain

• Rhodiola – adaptogenic, supports vitality and stress resilience

• Notopterygium Root – used to dispel cold and dampness

• Chinese Angelica (Dang Gui) – nourishes blood, supports circulation

• Sichuan Lovage Root (Chuanxiong) – moves qi and blood

• Frankincense – anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving

• Myrrh – clears stagnation, reduces swelling

• Licorice Root – harmonizes and boosts the effect of other herbs

• Phellodendron Bark – clears damp-heat and inflammation

• Aconite (processed) – used traditionally for warming and pain relief

• Artemisia (Mugwort) – a warming herb that supports circulation

• Cinnamon Twig – encourages movement of blood and warms the channels

This synergistic formula is carefully balanced between warming, moving, detoxifying, and nourishing properties, crafted to address internal cold, poor circulation, and blocked energy.

Benefits of the Tibetan Herbal Foot Soak

Regular use of this ancient remedy is believed to support:

• Improved blood circulation and warmth in the limbs

• Deep relaxation and better sleep quality

• Detoxification via sweat and stimulation of the lymphatic system

• Reduced inflammation, especially in the joints and muscles

• Stress relief and grounding of anxious energy

• Support for the kidneys, liver, and immune system including fertility support

Many people report feeling lighter, warmer, and more relaxed—body and mind—after just one soak.

A Daily Ritual, Rooted in the Mountains

This isn’t just a wellness trend—it’s a sacred ritual handed down through generations of Tibetan herbalists and monks. In a world that moves fast, the Tibetan foot soak invites you to slow down, ground yourself, and reconnect with the innate wisdom of your body.

Whether you’re looking to support circulation, soothe chronic aches, or simply create a moment of intentional self-care, this warm, fragrant soak offers something deeper: a return to balance, from the ground up. As part of a special ritual of relaxation combined with reflexology, this is an exclusive treatment, no where else in the world offers this, combining ancient Tibetan knowledge and years of therapy knowledge, along with a little bit of TCM and energy work magic.