Invigorating detox baths
The bathtub rests quietly in our home, a humble apparatus forgotten by many, patiently awaiting the annual bath that heralds its triumphant return to relevance. But this anonymous household hero can and is being used by many to stimulate circulation, calm muscle cramps, relieve joint stiffness, decrease back pain, promote proper detoxification within the body (through the skin), and bring a calm and peace that is absent in the midst of the frenzied tumult that engulfs and engulfs our lives. Give up your preconceptions about what you thought a bathroom was and push yourself to what it can be – a powerful ally on your path to wellness!
The bathroom and beyond
Sure, in years past you may have taken the fizzy soak in a bubble bath with the hot pink foam and smell-punishing fragrances invented by mad scientists. Perhaps you’ve even tried a packaged amalgam of various salts and essential oils. The latter is closer to the essence, and both bring some relaxing elements. But once or twice a year it’s not doing your body justice and a tablespoon of salt in a huge bathtub is just scratching the surface. Here’s what we have in mind for you – some fun combinations to add a little zest to your bathroom:
- Epsom salts or bath salts such as Celtic or Himalayan sea salt – wonderful for extracting toxins from the body and establishing the proper pH. Epsom salts can even raise magnesium levels in the body! Use 1 to 2 cups per bath; the more you use, the more powerful the effect will be.
- Sodium bicarbonate – Calms the skin, alkalizes the body and is a natural antifungal. Use 1/2 to 2 cups per bath (a great supplement to Epsom salts).
- Apple cider vinegar – Neutralizes the body’s pH and tones and softens the skin (note: be careful when combining baking soda and apple cider vinegar, you may want to do one or the other). Usage is 1 cup per bath.
- Essential oils – Lavender is great in a bath, usually 10-20 drops will do. Consider adding other calming essential oils, such as: basil, bergamot, chamomile, sage, frankincense, juniper, marjoram, neroli, rose and rosewood, sandalwood, sage, and ylang ylang. Typical use is 10-20 drops, but it depends on the intensity of the essential oil.
- Clays such as bentonite or monmoillonite – A powerful drawing agent that draws toxic elements from your body like a magnet. Clay can also work wonders by draining and circulating lymph in the body. Use 2 cups per bath as an occasional treat.
A recipe for the perfect bathroom
This is the stage. You come home after a long, hard day at the office, with sore muscles, neck and shoulders excruciatingly tense, and it’s path too late to call your chiropractor for an adjustment. What do you do for a living ?? Do some alchemical magic and collect the following from your cabinet!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Epsom salts
- 1 to 2 cups of baking soda
- 10 to 20 drops of lavender essential oil (or your preferred essential oil)
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil for dry skin (optional)
Instructions:
Start by turning on the water, setting it as high as you can tolerate (heat dissipates quickly, so it’s often better to set the bath too hot rather than too cold). Add the Epsom or bath salts, baking soda, essential oil, and olive oil, making sure to stir so the salts and baking soda dissolve completely. Fill the tub to the desired depth and dip one toe in the water. If the water is too hot, just add a little cold water to balance the temperature to your preferred setting. Soak your body in the tub and enjoy a good bath for as long as you like (but not less than 15 minutes for optimal results).
NOTE: be sure to drink plenty of water before and after bathing. Bathing tends to flow out of the body and you can become dehydrated in another way. For bonus points, buy a filter for your shower and run your bath water through the filter (to filter out chlorine and other nasty elements). If this is not an option, add 1/2 cup of clay to your bath to help keep exposure to a minimum.