You’ve probably heard a lot about detoxes over the past couple of years. Whether it’s a detox diet or simple detox bath, a detox done right can be wonderful for your well-being.
As you go throughout your day, your body is exposed to all kinds of elements in the environment – some of them worse than others. Pollution, pesticides, household chemicals, preservatives, cosmetic ingredients, and a whole host of other toxins can build up in your body over time.
And when your system becomes overloaded with toxins, it gets bogged down, and stops functioning as well as it should.
Now, you might be wondering just how exposure to these toxins might affect you – and minimal exposure may not. That’s a relief because there’s no way to fully avoid toxic exposure.
But if you’re exposed to a lot of toxins over a long period of time, you may experience problems. Here are a few ways toxins might interfere with your body’s well-being:
- Weight: Scientists postulate that high levels of toxins might make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.1
- Cognitive difficulties: Exposure to toxins may increase the risk of developing neurological and memory problems.2
- Reproductive system: Problems with the reproductive system might be linked to pesticide exposure.3
- Allergies and Asthma: Environmental toxins may play a role in allergy and asthma symptoms.4
Of course, all health issues should be discussed with your doctor. So be sure to make an appointment if you’re concerned about any of these potential health problems.
But if you’d simply like to encourage your body to naturally flush out toxins that may be bringing you down – then consider giving yourself a detox bath.
What’s A Detox Bath?
A detox isn’t just any ordinary bath – it uses specific ingredients to help decrease toxin levels. Epsom salt, bentonite clay, and essential oils all work together to draw toxins out of the body. These are some of the ingredients that can be used in a detox bath.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has long been revered as a home remedy to soothe sore muscles and relieve aches and pains.
But the benefits of Epsom salt don’t stop there. You see, Epsom salt contains magnesium, which is essential for many of your body’s functions. Magnesium helps maintain bone and heart health, supports the immune system, and regulates nerve and muscle function.5
And it’s been scientifically proven that skin contact with Epsom salts can increase your body’s magnesium levels.6 How can this be helpful to your body?
Well, magnesium benefits include:
- Boosts brain health
- Helps modulate your body’s response to stress
- Promotes healthy breathing
- Helps decrease the occurrence of migraines.7
And proponents of Epsom salt baths claim that the minerals contained in Epsom salt can actually draw out toxins from the body, helping to rid you of harmful chemicals and pollutants.8
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is named after Fort Benton, Wyoming – an American West settlement dating from 1846. Pretty cool, right? But this amazing clay can actually be found all over the world. Greece Italy, India, China, and France are also known producers of natural bentonite clay.
Bentonite clay is composed of volcanic ash. It has the ability to remove contaminants, toxins, and impurities from the skin. It can also help refresh the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes.9
One of the reasons bentonite clay is so effective at drawing out impurities is that its ions are positively charged. This positive charge is able to attract negatively charged toxins and draw them away from the body.10
Bentonite clay can also help:
- Remove bacteria11
- Absorb pesticides12
- Protect against molds13
- Relieve skin irritation14
Not too shabby for something that looks a lot like mud!
Essential Oils
Bathing in salt and clay doesn’t sound particularly luxurious. But a few drops of essential oil will make up for it and give you that indulgent spa experience.
And keep in mind that essential oils have a purpose too. Many essential oils contain antioxidant properties, as well as psychological benefits, that can help put your body and mind at ease.
Here are two all-time favorite essential oils to try:
Oregano Oil*
This oil has been proven to be an effective, free radical-fighting antioxidant.15 Free radicals are damaging molecules that are generated by environmental toxins, like pollution, cigarette smoke, and UV rays. These free radicals can be hard on the health of the heart, brain, eyes, and joints – among other concerns. They also contribute to the visible signs of aging.16
*Please do not use oregano oil if you are pregnant. Swap out oregano with ylang-ylang.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is known to promote feelings of relaxation, as well as helping to maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure rate.17
How To Take a Detox Bath
You’ve probably been taking baths since long before you can remember. But when taking a detox bath, here are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of your experience:
1. Take a detox bath before bed: Many people find that they’re tired after taking a detox bath. After all, rebalancing your system does take a toll on your body. Of course, starting out your day feeling drained is not ideal. For this reason, take the bath before you go to sleep.
Bonus? You’ll find yourself getting an extra restful night of sleep.
2. Bathe in hot water: Your instinct is probably to take a bath in hot water – and your instinct is spot on. Hot water will make you perspire – and perspiration? It’s a key element to a detox bath.
You see, sweat actually encourages the toxins in your body to pass from your skin into the clay.Likewise, sweat also enables nutrients from the clay to pass into your skin.18
3. Soak for 20 minutes to an hour: A detox bath isn’t an in-and-out process. Studies have shown that the longer you’re exposed to Epsom salts, the greater your body’s absorption of its magnesium benefits.19 So be sure to take plenty of time, so that your body has the opportunity to rid itself of toxins and soak in all those nourishing ingredients.
4. Drink plenty of water after your bath: After perspiring in that hot water, it’s important to rehydrate your body. Down a couple of glasses of filtered water after your bath and before bed.
Detox Bath Recipe
½ cup bentonite clay
1 cup epsom salts
5 to 6 drops oregano essential oil
5 to 6 drops lavender essential oil
Draw a hot bath, and add the ingredients to running water. Soak for 20 to 40 minutes to draw out toxins and absorb nutrients. Step out of the bath feeling healthy, refreshed, and renewed.
A Detox Bath For Better Health
Your body can be battered by an overload of chemicals, toxins, and pollutants. But regular detox baths with Epsom salt, bentonite clay, and essential oils can help eliminate these toxins from your body – restoring balance and harmony. Support your detox journey with the skin-nourishing benefits of youthful skin support such as Essential Skin Food. Also consider reading through some Essential Skin Food reviews to provide helpful insights.
Learn More About Detoxing:
10 Lifestyle Habits Destroying Good Bacteria in Your Body
How to Do a Detox Right (and get the results you want)
Should You Get a Colon Cleanse? (pros & cons)
Sources
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12006126
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4428475/
3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18075622
4.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21155623
5.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002423.htm
6.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28403154
7.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1844561
8.https://www.healthline.com/health/epsom-salt-detox#Overview1
9.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904249/
10.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2895274/
11.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10808094/
12.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16159179/
13.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16019795/
14.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11685665/
15.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669015002691
16.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23675073
17.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22612017
18.http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jas.2012.480.485#892704_ja
19.http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf