Sweating is the body's natural way of detoxing. Soaking in hot water can help flush toxins through the skin. Detox baths can also relieve muscle pain. This ancient remedy helps your body get rid of toxins and absorb beneficial minerals and nutrients. If you're looking to get rid of toxins or have skin problems, or are just looking for ways to improve your overall health, try taking a detox bath at home.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Body
Step 1. Prepare your body
The minerals in a detox bath will help flush toxins through your skin which in the process can dehydrate you. So, make sure you are well hydrated before taking a detox bath. It's best to drink a glass of room temperature water before taking a detox bath.
Step 2. Prepare the ingredients
Everything you need to do this detox can be purchased at the grocery store. Materials needed:
- Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate/bicarbonate of soda)
- Sea salt or Himalayan salt
- Unfiltered apple cider vinegar or natural apple cider vinegar
- Your favorite essential oil if desired
- Ginger powder (optional)
- Brush for body
Step 3. Brush your skin dry
The skin is your largest organ and the front line of defense against various chemicals and bacteria. By helping your body get rid of the layer of dead skin, you also get rid of these harmful substances. Brushing the body in a dry state also speeds up the lymph system's ability to get rid of impurities.
- Use a long-handled brush so you can reach all areas of the body.
- In choosing a brush, choose one that feels comfortable on the skin. That way, brushing dry skin won't hurt.
- Start with the dry skin then start brushing the skin on the legs, then brush the calves one by one.
- Rub in a gentle motion toward the heart through the midsection (front and back) and chest.
- Finish by rubbing your arms against your armpits.
- Your skin will feel softer after one dry brushing session.
Step 4. Perform lymphatic massage
Lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and organs that make up the lymphatic system are part of the body's defense system. Lymph nodes are in charge of removing microorganisms and filtering bacteria from the bloodstream. In just five minutes, you can stimulate your lymphatic system to help your body detox more effectively.
- Place your fingers under the ears on both sides of the neck.
- With relaxed hands, gently pull your skin down the back of your neck.
- Repeat 10 times by massaging slowly down from the ears and ending with the fingers over the shoulders on both sides of the neck.
- Gently massage your skin towards the collarbone.
- Repeat 5 times or as many times as you want.
Step 5. Know what you might experience
The detoxification process can cause your body to experience flu-like symptoms such as headaches and nausea. These symptoms arise because the toxin out of the body. Bring a liter of water with you in the shower and drink slowly as you shower.
Add lemon in drinking water to reduce nausea
Part 2 of 3: Preparing a Detox Bath
Step 1. Choose the right time to shower
Prepare for a shower on a day when you have at least 40 minutes of free time. Choose a time when you are relaxed and can focus on taking a detox bath without rushing.
Step 2. Create a relaxed atmosphere
Turn on the dim lights and light a candle if you like. You can also set the music you like. Take deep, gentle breaths to help your mind enter a relaxed state.
Step 3. Fill the tub
Use a chlorine filter whenever possible to fill the tub with comfortable hot water. Add Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Soaking in Epsom salt helps replenish magnesium levels in the body, to fight hypertension. Sulfate removes toxins and helps form proteins in brain tissue and joints.
- For children who weigh less than 25 kg, add 1/2 cup to a standard bath.
- For children weighing 25 kg to 45 kg, add 1 cup for a standard bath.
- For adults weighing 45 kg and over, add 2 cups or more to a standard bath.
Step 4. Add 1 to 2 cups of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Baking soda is known for its cleansing and antifungal properties. Baking soda also makes the skin very soft.
Step 5. Add 1/4 cup sea salt or Himalayan salt
Composed of magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromide, sea salt helps replenish minerals that are essential for our skin's metabolism.
- Magnesium is useful for fighting stress, fluid retention, slowing skin aging, and calming the nervous system.
- Calcium is effective for preventing fluid retention, increasing circulation, and strengthening bones and nails.
- Potassium makes the body more energetic and helps balance skin moisture.
- Bromide serves to relieve muscle stiffness and relax muscles.
- Sodium is important for balancing lymphatic fluid (which in turn is useful for immune system function).
Step 6. Add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
Rich in various vitamins, minerals and enzymes, apple cider vinegar is one of the best ingredients to rid the body of bacteria and boost the immune system.
Step 7. Add essential oil if you like
Some oils, such as lavender and ylang ylang, are therapeutic. Tea tree and eucalyptus oil can help with the detoxification process. 20 drops of essential oil is sufficient for a standard bath.
- If you like, you can also use fresh herbs. Add mint leaves, lavender, chamomile, or whatever suits your mood.
- Add ginger to help you sweat so the toxins can get out. Ginger is hot. So, be careful with how much ginger you put in. Depending on how sensitive you are, add 1 tablespoon to 1/3 cup of ginger.
Step 8. Stir until all ingredients are mixed
Use your feet to stir the water in the tub. When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, bubbles will form.
You don't have to wait until all the salt crystals have dissolved to start bathing
Part 3 of 3: Doing a Detox Bath
Step 1. Soak for 20 to 40 minutes
Keep yourself hydrated during the bath and be careful not to overheat.
- Drink water for the first 20 minutes of your bath.
- You will start to sweat after a few minutes of the detox bath. That's when your body excretes toxins.
- If you start to feel hot while bathing, add cold water to the tub until you feel comfortable.
Step 2. Relax
Meditation is great for calming your body during a detox bath. Breathe in through your nose, releasing tension in your neck, face, hands, and stomach area. Relax and soften every part of the body. Mindfully release body tension to keep you relaxed during a detox bath.
- After you close the bathroom door, leave all unwanted thoughts outside. Let go of worries and stress.
- Imagine the toxins leaving your body and vitamins and nutrients replacing them.
Step 3. Get out of the tub slowly
Your body has been working hard and your head may feel light, or you may feel weak and tired. Oil and salt can make your tub slippery, so stand carefully.
Wrap yourself in a soft blanket or towel after you get out of the tub, then continue to detoxify through breathing for the next few hours
Step 4. Re-hydrate your body
Every time your body excretes toxins, you need to replace fluids. It's best to drink another liter of water after the detox.
Step 5. After bathing, scrub your skin again
Use your hands, a blustru, or a soft vegetable cleaning brush. This further helps remove toxins. Do the rubbing in a long, gentle motion towards the heart.
Relax for the rest of the day and allow your body to continue detoxifying
Tips
- Do not eat immediately before or after bathing.
- Do a deep conditioning treatment on your hair then wrap your hair in a shower cap or towel during the shower. Salt, like seawater, can dry out hair.
- Wash off the Epsom salt if you want, but don't have to.
Warning
- If you are diabetic, pregnant, have heart or kidney disease, or have hypertension, consult a medical professional before taking a detox bath.
- Add essential oils to the salt, not directly to the water. Oil and water don't mix, but salt can spread oil into water.
- Before adding additives to bath water, make sure you know their properties. Some herbs can be dangerous.
