Detoxing Baths and Why to Soak in One

It is true, what we choose to put inside our body can have a large effect on our level of health.  But, may I suggest this “recipe” for what you can do for your outside too? Your liver and kidneys are key organs for removing toxins and do so every day, but your skin plays a large role as well.  Regularly scheduling a detox bath can be a great tool to help that process along.

What a Detox Bath Can Do For You

Besides the warmth of the hot water a bath can provide, a hot soak can provide a great time of relaxation and an ideal time to step it up a bit with the addition of a few ingredients to create a healthy habit of regularly detoxing through sweating. But before I get to the recipe, here are some other considerations regarding detoxing baths to keep you motivated:

Detox baths may help you clear toxins.  The full research on this is not firm, but many report the ingredients you place in the detox bath water can push the sweating process further along as well as replenish minerals and soften skin.

Bath time can make for better sleep time. Watch out you insomniacs: many say this bath can induce a wonderful slumber after.  Thus, it is best to take this bath at nighttime.

Those with child and others should choose another means of detoxing. Please note that this bath is not for women who are pregnant or may think they are pregnant.  Also check with your doctor first if you are diabetic, have high blood pressure or heart issues.

The Epsom salts in a detox bath may benefit those with autism. Most people with autism conditions have a deficiency in a key detoxification pathway.  The Epsom salts can help restore magnesium and sulfate absorption into the body through the skin especially helping those with autism. Here is more information on that. And, more here as well.

Detox baths can help the many deficient in magnesium.  Epsom salts in a detox bath can supply in a highly available form of magnesium that can be absorbed readily through our skin.  Epsom salts left on the skin after a bath can continue to be absorbed providing continuous ‘timed-released’ benefits much like a skin patch.

Detox Bath Recipe

Gather

• Pitcher of purified water with some lemon, lime, cucumber or fresh mint for you to sip while soaking.  Dehydration is a common result of this bath. Drink a glass before the bath, sip while soaking and you may want a glass after, as well.  Do not skip this step! You will thank me later for this suggestion.

• 1 cup of Epsom salt. This reduces inflammation, relieves stiffness or soreness, induces sweating and the magnesium in the salt allows your skin to absorb this vital mineral.

• 1 cup baking soda. It is alkaline in nature and it may help balance an acidic system.  It softens the skin as well.

• 1-2 teaspoons ground ginger. This opens up pores and induces sweating. It also helps in increasing blood circulation.

• 1,000 mg of Vitamin C.  Studies show this is an effective chlorine eliminator. You can crush a tablet before adding it to the tub.  If you have a water filter for your bath that eliminates chlorine, then no need!

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar. Optional. It softens your skin and is also good for those with acne.

• 3-4 drops of essential oil of choice.  Optional. Some good choices would be lavender for relaxation or geranium or sandalwood.  

Now do this

• Place dry ingredients in tub and begin to fill the bath with hot water, setting the temperature to what you like.  Keep in mind the hotter, the more sweating; the more sweating, the more detoxing.

• While the bath is filling, this is a great time to dry brush to open your pores. Click on the green link for other reasons why this is a great enhancement to your detox bath. 

• Add vinegar while the water fills up the tub.  Ensure the ingredients are mixing well in the water. Depending on what you add to the tub,  the water may turn orange or yellow due to the ginger and vinegar.

• Soak yourself in the bath for a minimum of 20 minutes but longer is better. 

After the bath

• Get out of the tub slowly and gently holding on to firm surfaces.  This bath can make you a little woozy.  Go slowly.

• Briefly showering now is optional, as you may want to allow the Epsom salts to stay on your body for better absorption. 

• Drink another glass of purified water.

• For future detox baths, you may want to make a premeasured "dry mix" of the Epsom salt, baking soda and ginger and store it in a jar for future use. Shake well to distribute evenly. All you will need when you want to have a detox bath is two cups of dry mix, one crushed Vitamin C tablet and one cup of vinegar if you are using that. And, that pitcher of water, of course!

bath/feet: photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivia-townsend/4243857066/">LivyAnn</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a>
water:photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremybrooks/4744170357/">Jeremy Brooks</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>