Julie Steinkamp This Ultimate Guide to Detox Baths is our families go-to anytime anyone is under the weather or to use as wellness prevention. If we fall below the wellness line this is one of the first things we do. If your body is trying to fight something off, making sure your detox pathways are open will make a huge difference in the way your body can work to heal.
Colds, Flu, Fever, Skin Issues, Respiratory Issues, Aches and Pains… pretty much any issue… when in doubt, we take a detox bath.
My favorite thing about natural wellness is that it consists, a lot of times with things we have on hand already. Baths are a simple way to relax and relieve stress in general. They are amazing for adults but even better to help soothe children who aren’t feeling well and it’s a bonus to combine a regular bath with a detox bath.
A couple things before we get started. I am not a doctor, I am just a Mama who loves finding natural options for her family. My education on oils is how our family has used these over the years and the benefits we have seen. You are the gatekeeper of your home and know your family so please keep that in mind while following us on this journey. Also, when speaking about essential oils, we use Young Living in our family and have for over six years. These are the oils that I have researched and feel comfortable with for our family. Not all oils are created equal.
Using essential oils for this bath is completely optional. It will do wonders either way, but I highly recommend them, especially as extra support if you have them on hand. You can create a bath specifically to support your symptoms which can add added relief. There are so many things that can be done to help with wellness prevention but at some point we do fall under the wellness line. There are many ways to support our bodies to flush out unwanted visitors and detoxing through your largest organ (your skin) is one of the best ways to officially get them out.
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How does a detox bath work?
A detox bath is a natural way to remove toxins from the body by adding ingredients like Epsom salts and essential oils to your bath. They allow minerals, commonly in the form of Epsom salts to draw the toxins from the body. Epsom salts contain oxygen, magnesium and sulfate, which is a powerful trio and it’s proven that these ingredients can stimulate detoxification pathways and help the body’s natural detoxification process. Sweating is a natural detoxifier, which is why it is important for us to sweat and soaking in a hot/warm bath can cause your body to sweat with no added stress.
Hot/Warm Bath + Sweating out Toxins + Absorbing Minerals We Need = Support and healing to Our Body
What’s in a detox bath?
Epsom Salts – These contain magnesium which most are deficient in due to modern diets but is essential to your bodies function. Instead of absorbing it from food, detox baths allow your body to absorb through the skin, which has its own benefits. It helps to promote better sleep, it can help to relieve aches and pains, can help with constipation, can reduce swelling and so much more. Check out more information here. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/epsom-salt-benefits-uses#benefit
Baking Soda – Most associate baking soda only with cooking, but did you know it can help with digestion, is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, can help with muscle pain and can even whiten teeth. It can help to detox from chlorine and can also help to relieve muscle aches. It can help with diaper rash, eczema, psoriasis and other skin issues. There is lot’s more info here! This one is a rock star! https://draxe.com/nutrition/baking-soda-uses/
Peroxide – Most already have this in our home as well to use for cuts/scrapes, healing, cleaning etc… This can assist with oxygenating the blood. There are 60+ uses for it here! https://www.tipsbulletin.com/hydrogen-peroxide/
Photo Credit: Life Steps App
Ways detox baths can support the body.
- Supports the immune system
- Helps the body to absorb magnesium
- Reduces stress
- Provides relief from aches and pains
- Helps to reduce inflammation in the body
- Flushes out toxins from the whole body
- Opens pores to help clear skin
- Can help to open sinuses to relieve congestion
How long should a detox bath last?
It is recommended to soak for about 20-30 minutes in warm to hot water, or as warm as it’s comfortable. The warm water will help draw out the toxins. You don’t want to let the water cool too much or your body can reabsorb what it has purged.
What do I do if I feel lightheaded after a detox bath?
This can occur due to dehydration or the detox in general. Think of the sweating like exercising. You can have similar feelings after working out so be sure to hydrate well through the bath and after. Stand up after your bath slowly and move carefully.
Are detox baths safe for children?
Only you know your child so you get to make the call on what you are comfortable with. I will say though that I have used detox baths on my babies and kiddos for years. Personally, I feel much more comfortable giving them a bath and helping their bodies to detox out what it doesn’t want when symptoms appear than to jump to OTCs. I adjust the recipe the smaller they are which I have detailed in the recipe below. Detox baths always help calm them and support their bodies in healing when needed which is always a comfort.
How often should you take a detox bath?
This really depends on you and your lifestyle. I recommend one every two weeks for preventative care. If anyone in our home falls under the wellness radar we will take them more frequently depending on the symptoms. We have taken them for several days in a row to multiple times a day if we are fighting something off. Just remembering to hydrate and replenish your minerals and electrolytes is key.
What if I don’t have a bathtub?
No tub, no worries! You can still benefit from a detox bath by soaking your feet. Just fill a basin with your warm water and ingredients and sit back and relax for your 15 – 20 minutes. You can detox through your feet as well when you don’t have access to a tub.
Should I add essential oils to my detox bath?
Yes! BUT only if you know your oils and trust your brand. Essential oils can have amazing benefits and ramp up the benefits of the detox bath. You can make your detox bath a custom one depending on what you are trying to address and add in extra support with the essential oils. Making sure though that you are using pure, therapeutic oils cannot be stressed enough here. You are working to purge and detox toxins from your body. If you use oils that are not pure, are chemically distilled or have other ingredients added (essential oils only have to be 5% pure to be labeled pure) in them, you will be absorbing whatever you are using into your body and into your bloodstream. These are the ones we feel comfortable using and have used for years.
What are the best essential oils to add to a detox bath?
First, make sure that when you add essential oils to your detox bath that you add them first to your Epsom salts or baking soda. Remember, oil and water don’t mix, so you want to use the salts or baking soda as a carrier to disperse it in the water. These are some of my favorites for the ailments listed. You can use just one or create your favorite combination.
- Thieves and Frankincense – Immune Support
- Raven, Rosemary, Eucalyptus or Pine – Respiratory Support
- Frankincense, Lavender or Valor – Skin Support
- Stress Away, Peace and Calming or Valor – Emotional Support
How do I take a detox bath?
- Fill your bathtub with hot/warm water. You want it hot but not burning.
- Add in your Epsom Salts, Baking Soda, Peroxide and Essential Oils (optional)
- Soak and relax for 20 minutes.
- Gently get out and pat dry, moving slowly (remember you just worked out without working out).
- Hydrate and Rest
How to take a Detox Bath
This Ultimate Guide to Detox Baths is our families go-to anytime anyone is under the weather or to use as wellness prevention. If we fall below the wellness line this is one of the first things we do.
Materials
- 1 cup of Epsom Salts
- 1 cup of Baking Soda
- 1 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
- 10 drops of essential oils
Instructions
- Fill your tub with hot/warm water. You want it hot enough to sweat but not to where it burns your skin.
- Add in your Epsom Salts, Baking Soda, Peroxide and Essential oils (optional). REMEMBER add your essential oils to your Epsom Salts or Baking Soda BEFORE adding to the tub.
- Soak for 20 minutes.
- Get out of the tub SLOWLY allowing your body to adjust.
- Hydrate and rest after.
Notes
Remember that taking a detox bath has similar effects on the body as exercising when it comes to sweating. So take it easy after and make sure to rehydrate.
We love detox baths for babies and kiddos too.
For kiddos able to sit on their own just cut the amount of ingredients by half and make sure the water is comfortable for them. Also, make sure that they rest, hydrate and take it easy after.
For babies, you can use only 1/4 of the ingredients and again, make sure the water temperature is comfortable for them, soaking for only about 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure they are hydrated after in whichever means they eat, breastmilk or formula and lots of snuggles.
These are the oils our family has used for years (and that we know are safe for the uses mentioned above).
I’d love to hear back if you try! Tag me on Instagram @naturallychaoticlifestyle!
