Our lives are crazy busy. Most of us rush through the day without stopping to think about what we can do about the damage that is being done to our bodies. Every day, the things we eat, the air we breathe, and the things we stress about all damage our bodies.
It can be harder to manage the things we stress about, but did you know that a detox bath can sweat out toxins and alleviate their harmful impact? Removing those toxins gives your immune system a boost.
If you’ve never heard of a detox bath before, the process is really simple. You immerse yourself in a tub filled with very hot water and a few key ingredients, some active and some soothing. As you soak, the toxins are pulled to the surface of the skin and then washed away. Detox baths should be a regular part of your routine, and they are especially beneficial after hikes or hiking retreats.
The key to a successful detox bath is preparation. It’s critical to properly hydrate before you begin. The day before you plan to detox, increase your fluid intake and avoid dehydrating ingredients, such as caffeine. This will ensure that you won’t become dehydrated as you soak in the very hot water, and that the impurities are drained from your body.
Detox baths require very hot water, as hot as your body can tolerate. Warm water or reasonably hot water won’t work as well, or at all. The reason the water needs to be hot is that your body needs to sweat so the detox process can occur. And that won’t happen if the water is too cool.
To actively draw toxins out, detox baths should contain at least one strong, active ingredient and several soothing ones. Epsom salts, apple cider vinegar or hydrogen peroxide are examples of active ingredients, and lavender, roman chamomile, and/or rose essential oils are soothing ingredients. The ingredients you choose will determine the benefits to your body.
While it may be tempting to quickly dip into the tub and dry off, the length of time spent in the tub will determine the success of your detox. You should soak for a minimum of 20 minutes, but the longer the better. You need to give those impurities time to float to the surface!
When it’s time to get out, dry yourself off by rubbing briskly. Then drink some water to rehydrate. You can also sip water during your soak. Rest and give your body time to recover from the strain of detoxification.
The best time to take a detox bath is right before bed. A 20 min soak will make you so relaxed, falling asleep will be a breeze. You’ll sleep like a baby.
Here are a couple of my favorite detox bath recipes.
Calming Detox Bath
- 2 cups Epsom salts
- 1 cup baking soda
- 9 drops lavender essential oil
- 7 drops frankincense essential oil
Fill the tub with water as hot as you can tolerate. Pour in bath salts and swish them around, feeling the bottom of the tub to make sure they’ve all dissolved. Add essential oils. Get in and soak for at least 20 minutes. Sweat those toxins out! Drink water during and after.
Apple Cider Detox
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar (organic, not the crap they try to pass off as ACV in the regular part of the grocery store!)
- 7 drops lemon essential oil
- 7 drops peppermint essential oil
- 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil (great for lungs)
Fill the tub with the hottest water you can safely immerse yourself in. Pour in ACV and essential oils. Soak for a minimum of 20 minutes. Drink water during and after. Enjoy!
In health & happiness,
