Best Homemade Full Body Detox Bath

What is better thank sinking into a warm cozy bath at the end of a long day? Muscles relaxing, mind clearing, the gentle embrace of the water. Now what if it was also good for you? A bath that is just as soothing, but full of nutrients for your body to absorb while simultaneously pulling toxins from your body while you relax. No, it must be too good to be true. Well, I am here to tell you it’s not. I present to you the detox bath.

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What is a Detox Bath?

Using herbs and clays to detox can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, India, the Roman Empire, and China. These practices were believed to not only cleanse the body but also the soul. Nowadays we can use them for anything from sore muscles to combatting illness, to improving the skin.

Detox baths have a range of ingredients depending on the recipe, but the goal is all the same. To extract toxins for a whole-body detox. It is as simple as drawing a bath-tub full of hot water and adding in some items that naturally support your body, then soaking and allowing the waters to work their magic. 

Any time anyone in our family has shown signs of being sick we down some elderberry syrup and hop into a detox bath. It gives us the boost we need to quickly fight off whatever bug is in our system.

Bath Ingredients

Epsom Salt-

These salts are known for a variety of benefits, the most common being for sore muscles. This is because they lower inflammation in and around joints and muscles. They also bind with toxins and some heavy metals and make it easier for your body to expel them.

While soaking in a tub with Epsom salts your skin is absorbing the magnesium. When you are stressed your magnesium levels can actually decrease which can cause a host of health issues. Adding this to your bath is a great way to replenish your minerals after a long week. You can replace this with magnesium flakes if desired.

Scented salts tend to use artificial fragrance and that is not healthy to be soaking in. Look for pure unscented Epsom salts.

Bentonite Clay-

This ancient clay binds with heavy metals and pulls them from your system. We are exposed to heavy metals daily through the food and water we consume, some of the items we cook with, even the very air we breathe. Detoxing from these prohibits them from accumulating to dangerous levels in your system.

Healing clays such as this have high levels of minerals as in sodium, iron, potassium, and calcium. Your body will naturally absorb these minerals during a good soak.

Baking Soda-

A staple you probably have tucked away in a kitchen cupboard. It is wonderful in both its cooking and cleaning applications, as well as being wonderful for the skin. Plain baking soda baths have been known to be helpful for many skin ailments. Due to the alkalinity, it can soothe pain from things such as yeast infections and hemorrhoids. It also helps to detox the body and allows it to release chemicals it has been holding onto. 

Apple Cider Vinegar-

Adding a splash to the bath will clear away bacteria from the skin and restore some of the acidic barrier that skin naturally has. This allows it to heal and promotes soft healthy skin and can improve things such as dandruff. It assists the body in the release on toxins.

Ginger-

This herb when added to a bath can increase circulation, aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, and increase metabolism.

It can be irritating to sensitive skin. To test this, apply some to your skin by mixing a paste of dried ginger and water and applying a small amount to your wrist or forearm. Leave for 5 minutes or so and remove sooner if irritation or discomfort occur. 

This can raise your heart rate so if you are on blood pressure medication, are pregnant, or have heart disease it may be best to leave this out. I do not recommend for children, especially under two. 

Essential Oils-

These are totally optional but can add to your bath. Some of my favorite oils are:

Lavender which is great for soothing and relaxing.

Orange for mood boosting

Blends with oils like cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, and orange are perfect for boosting immunity. Adding them can help your body fight off illness easier. 

How to Get the Most Out of Your Detox Bath

Sweat- Your body uses sweat to eliminate toxins from the body. Soaking in a tub full of detoxing ingredients is made even better when you are allowing your body to speedily get rid of those toxins. This means getting that water as hot as you can stand it (without burning yourself please). 

Hydrate- Detoxing requires pulling the toxins out of the blood, muscles, and tissues where they have accumulated. Drinking lots of water before and after your bath will flush the toxins out so they cannot be reabsorbed. 

Soak- Staying in the detox bath for at least 20 minutes gives you time to detox. 40 minutes gives the minerals in the water time to be absorbed. An hour is even better! But some time is better than no time.

If you have never detoxed before or never done a detox bath start slowly. If you feel lightheaded or woozy get out and try again later. Some people have negative reactions to detoxing and that can normal but its best to start slowly and not overdo it. 

Consult- I am not a medical professional this is just what I use for myself and my family. If you are pregnant, nursing, have high blood pressure, or any other pre-existing conditions do your research or check with a doctor to make sure detox baths are right for you. 

Store it- You can make a large batch and store it to have on hand for busy days. Another great option is to keep all the ingredients in the bathroom for ease of access in jars or canisters.

Instructions

Combine Epsom salt, baking soda, and bentonite clay together and mix well.

If you are using essential oils add those to the salt mixture. Oils and water don’t mix so adding them directly into the bath isn’t advised. They can pool on the surface and cause skin irritation. It is much better to allow them to absorb into the salt and the baking soda for a few minutes.

Stir in ginger if adding.

Fill your tub with hot water and sprinkle in the detox mixture.

Pour in your apple cider vinegar directly into the bath.

Stir with your hand or a spoon until the salt is dissolved. 

Soak for 20-60 minutes and enjoy!

Save this recipe so you have it on hand the next time you are feeling under the weather!

Yield: 1 Bath

Whole Body Detox Bath

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 cup Epsom Salt
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup Bentonite Clay
• 3 drops Essential Oil (optional)
• 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Dried or Freshly Grated Ginger (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine Epsom salt, baking soda, and clay.
2. Mix together until fully combined.
3. Add essential oils and mix in well. Allow the oils to absorb into the salts and baking soda.
4. Add ginger if using.
5. Sprinkle into a hot bath with apple cider vinegar or store in an airtight jar for future use.

Notes

~ Don't add the essential oil directly to the bath water. Oil and water does not mix so it will float on top of the water and can cause skin irritation. It must be mixed with the salt or baking soda.

~ If you are missing an ingrediant or two you can still make the recipe and get great benefits.