Toxins are in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the medications we take and in the water we drink causing potential irritation, harm and destruction in the body if left unchecked. Taking a detox bath, not only boosts our health and well-being, but it also strengthens immunity and prevents disease.
Detox Bath Hints
Skin brushing before your bath will help get rid of dry skin and toxins. Brush towards the heart e.g. start at your hands and go up your arms.
Cooler detox baths will energize you. Baths at your body temperature is good. Medium warm baths help you relax and loosens up sore muscles and joints.
A hot bath causes blood capillaries to expand and may increase the heart rate. Don't take a very hot bath if you're pregnant, have high blood pressure, have haemorrhoids, or varicose veins.
Stay hydrated. You will sweat and the body will lose water during a detox bath, so it is helpful to have a glass of cool water with you to sip on while you’re soaking.
If your bath water is not filtered, add 1 cup of baking soda as this helps neutralize chlorine, as well as increase mineral absorption.
Immerse yourself in the water, all the way up to your neck. You want as much of your body underwater as you can. Close your eyes, do some breathing exercises and soak for at least 20 minutes.
It is important not to use harsh soaps or shampoos as your pores are open and will just absorb the chemicals in those products.
Once you are done soaking, rise out of the bath slowly. You may feel a little dizzy and light-headed; this will go away as you cool.
Once dry you can apply a natural moisturizer like body butter, shea butter or coconut oil and some aluminium-free deodorant, but no lotions with perfumes, dyes or chemicals.
Do not eat immediately before or after taking a detox bath.
Allow time after your bath to rest and rejuvenate.
Detox Bath Recipes
Lavender eucalyptus green tea bath salts: Open two green tea bags and remove the tea leaves, discarding the empty bags. Mix together the green tea, ¾ cup of Epsom salts, 2/3 cup of baking soda, ½ tablespoon of vitamin E oil, 14 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and eight drops of lavender essential oil. Store in a tight jar. Use ½ cup in warm bath water.
Lavender sugar scrub: Mix together ¼ cup of granulated sugar (or brown sugar), two tablespoons of almond oil, five drops of lavender essential oil and two tablespoons of whole milk plus enough water to your hand to moisten mixture, and rub on your skin. Lavender salt scrub: Mix together four tablespoons of sea salt (or oatmeal), five drops of lavender essential oil, one teaspoon of olive oil and moisten with water to rub onto your skin. Rinse off.
Relaxing: Mix together ¾ cup of baking soda and 16 drops of lavender oil. Store in tight jar and use ¼ cup of bath.
Immunity booster: Mix together ¾ cup of baking soda, nine drops of lavender essential oil and six drops of tea tree oil. Store in tight jar and use ¼ cup per bath.
Mood lifter: Mix together ¾ cup of baking soda, eight drops of lavender oil and eight drops of sweet orange oil. Store in tight jar. Avoid if going out into the sun.
