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Homemade Detox Baths

posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 20, 1999 11:52 pm
filed under: True Beauty, Bath & Shower
Homemade Detox Baths
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By Annie B. Bond, Care2 Green Living Executive Producer

Baths are wonderfully healing, and it is easy to make your own homemade, detox baths.

Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin, according to Naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells. Epsom salts augment this detoxification by causing you to sweat. Other salts—all highly alkaline and cleansing—used in baths include sea salt, baking soda, clay, and Dead Sea salts.

Basic Salt Soak Bath Formula
Minerals and salts make the bath water feel silky and leave your skin cleansed and soft.

1 cup sea salts
2 cups baking soda
1 cup Epsom salts
1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin per bath

Combine the sea salts, baking soda, and Epsom salts in a bowl. Stir to blend. Pour 1/4 cup or so into the bath while the tub is filling. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin to keep your skin from drying out (more for dry skin, less for oily skin) and essential oils of choice.

Preparation time: 2 to 3 minutes
Shelf life: Indefinite
Storage: Glass jar with a screw top

Caution: Do not take hot baths and salt baths (including Epsom salt baths) if you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, or are diabetic.

MORE USES FOR EPSOM SALTS
Use epsom salts in your body scrub

13 uses of epsom salts
More on Bath & Shower (78 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3172 articles available)

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11 comments

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11 Comments       add a comment »
Sunita V.

although it is written that people who suffer from high blood pressure should not use epsom salt, I read in detail about epsom salt and it is supposed to reduce blood pressure.I suffer from high blood pressure and my doctors kept increasing my medication all the time but they had no effect on my blood pressure.it has just been a week i started using epsom salt bath for 15 minutes everyday and my blood pressure is normal and I have even reduced my medicine.Only thing I noticed while in the bath is I feel dizzy when blood pressure comes down, so i keep a big glass of cold water near my bath and keep drinking it few times as I soak and it helps.

Chanakarn Cheewasedtham

Oh! nice!

Mandy P.

You should try a floatation session, you go in warm bath like a capsule which only has about 10inches of continuously heated water but the water is loaded with Epsom Salts. Apart from the great benefits of the salts which are great for any type of aches and pains, athletic or medical, the amount of salt means you float (guaranteed!) in the warm water which is the most relaxing thing i have ever done! Even fell asleep for a little while. No danger associated-amount of salt and small amount of water means you cannot 'turn over' in your sleep. Incidently it is your pressure points, back, shoulders etc, that triggers your brain to turn you over in the night and relieve the pressure, when you float, the brain feels no pressure so does not send the message, another reason you don't turn over in the floatation tank. Your muscles totally relax as they don't have to support you in any way and all the above also means your brain relaxes! So the Epsom Salt is great for skin and joints etc and the floatation is great for your brain. Try it!

Mandy P.

You should try a floatation session, you go in warm bath like a capsule which only has about 10inches of continuously heated water but the water is loaded with Epsom Salts. Apart from the great benefits of the salts which are great for any type of aches and pains, athletic or medical, the amount of salt means you float (guaranteed!) in the warm water which is the most relaxing thing i have ever done! Even fell asleep for a little while. No danger associated-amount of salt and small amount of water means you cannot 'turn over' in your sleep. Incidently it is your pressure points, back, shoulders etc, that triggers your brain to turn you over in the night and relieve the pressure, when you float, the brain feels no pressure so does not send the message, another reason you don't turn over in the floatation tank. Your muscles totally relax as they don't have to support you in any way and all the above also means your brain relaxes! So the Epsom Salt is great for skin and joints etc and the floatation is great for your brain. Try it!

Mandy P.

You should try a floatation session, you go in warm bath like a capsule which only has about 10inches of continuously heated water but the water is loaded with Epsom Salts. Apart from the great benefits of the salts which are great for any type of aches and pains, athletic or medical, the amount of salt means you float (guaranteed!) in the warm water which is the most relaxing thing i have ever done! Even fell asleep for a little while. No danger associated-amount of salt and small amount of water means you cannot 'turn over' in your sleep. Incidently it is your pressure points, back, shoulders etc, that triggers your brain to turn you over in the night and relieve the pressure, when you float, the brain feels no pressure so does not send the message, another reason you don't turn over in the floatation tank. Your muscles totally relax as they don't have to support you in any way and all the above also means your brain relaxes! So the Epsom Salt is great for skin and joints etc and the floatation is great for your brain. Try it!

Gayland Sims

Is it ok to take a bath in Epsom Salt after surgery to aid in reduction of swelling or brusing?

Gayland Sims

Is it ok to take a bath in Epsom Salt after surgery to aid in reduction of swelling or brusing?

Nancy D.

Can anyone tell me why you shoul not to take hot baths if you have diabetics I read this statement above in the article - Caution: Do not take hot baths and salt baths (including Epsom salt baths) if you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, or are diabetic.

Dawn Dame

Have you heard of putting peroxide in the sea salt bath's?

Wendy Noble

Epsom salts in the bath is great especially after a hard workout in the gym. The muscles feel rejuvenated. I'm going to try adding the glycerin and essential oils though since I do have a problem with dry skin. That was a good tip.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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