We are bombarded with toxins everyday. They’re in the food we eat, the water we drink, the beauty products we use, and the air we breathe. Our bodies do their best to rid themselves of these toxins on their own, but often, they just can’t keep up… toxins buildup inside us and slow us down. It’s best to give our bodies a little assistance from time to time through a good detox.
There are many methods of detox. My favorites: a detox bath. What better way to detox than relaxing in a good hot bath? When you stop adding chemical bubble bath solutions and fragrant bath salts, and start adding the right ingredients, a bath can really help your body flush itself out.
How to take a detox bath
Ingredients
2 cups epsom salt
1 cup baking soda
A few drops of your favorite essential oil (Lavender is great for relaxation)
Directions
The best time to do this is at night. You will feel quite exhausted upon getting out of the tub.
Drink a tall glass of water and bring another with you to the tub… you’ll need it to stay hydrated during the detox process.
Draw the bath water as warm as you can take it.
While your waiting for the bath to fill, dry brush your body with a natural body brush (can be found *here). Dry brushing is another form of detox, that removes dead skin cells, stimulates the lymphatic system, and increases blood flow. Make sure to brush in swift movements towards your heart…. that is the direction in which you want your blood to flow.
Add the three ingredients to the bath, swish the water around a bit, and get in!
Soak for at least 20-30 minutes to allow your body the time it needs to really get its sweat on and expel the toxins out.
Upon standing up, you may feel light-headed and overheated. You can take a quick cold shower rinse to cool yourself down. Avoid using shampoo and conditioner for right now, and no soap!
Once you dry yourself off, you may apply a natural moisturizer such as coconut oil, but don’t use store-bought lotions or perfumes. You’ve just ridded your body of chemical toxins, so it’s not a good time to dump them back in!
Drink another glass of water and have yourself a great night’s sleep. Hopefully you won’t have to get up too many times in the night to pee.
Why it works
Unlike traditional table salts, epsom salt is made up of pure magnesium sulfate, which helps flush heavy metals from the cells of the body and eliminate harmful substances. By adding these minerals to your bath water, your skin absorbs them and triggers the process of reverse osmosis, pulling unwanted salts out of your body along with toxins in them through heavy sweating. An epsom salt soak also eases sore muscles, gives you a boost of magnesium, and improves your body’s absorption of nutrients. Adding baking soda to your bath helps to alkalize the water, and therefore, your body. It also makes the water and your skin incredibly soft.
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