Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- What is a Detox Bath?
- How to Take a Detoxification Bath
- How Often Should You Take a Detox Bath?
- Baking Soda Baths
- Epsom Salt Bath for Detoxing
- Sea Salt and Baking Soda Detox Baths
- Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Detox Bath
- Hydrogen Peroxide Bath
- Fever Bath Benefits
- Contraindications and Why NOT to Mix IngredientsÂ
- Don’t Have a Bathtub? Do This Instead
- How-to Video
The best detox baths to use by specific health condition to ensure optimal effectiveness, enjoyment, and safety. Plus, how often to take, when to mix ingredients and when to avoid rinsing afterward.
One casualty of the hurry, hurry modern lifestyle is the regular practice of highly beneficial and therapeutic detox baths.
A quick shower in the morning or after working out has gained favor over a more leisurely soak with bathing ingredients carefully chosen to support internal cleansing, overall health and even to remedy specific ailments or injuries.
I first became familiar with the benefits of cleansing baths during my travels in Asia just before I launched into my corporate career after college.
What is a Detox Bath?
The Japanese in particular greatly value cleansing, detox baths, so much so that public baths remain popular even today.  The Japanese favor using water as hot as a person can possibly stand with a special type of cloth used to exfoliate and thereby encourage detoxification via the body’s largest organ – the skin.
According to nutritional pioneer Dr. Hazel Parcells, 65% of body cleansing is achieved via the skin!
In America, bathing is viewed more for relaxation than detoxification as a general rule. The focus on bathing enjoyment can be observed at bed and bath stores where a plethora of artificially scented, hormone-disrupting bubble bath concoctions are creatively displayed and are best sellers year-round.
I would venture to suggest that health cannot easily be maintained over the long term without the regular incorporation of detox baths. If traditional cultures valued therapeutic cleansing baths back when our world was pristine with clean water, air, and unprocessed, additive-free food, one can only imagine how important a gentle and regular detoxification bathing protocol is today given our toxic soup world with chemicals and other biologically disrupting agents nearly everywhere!
If the body is clogged up with toxins from the physiological stress of modern living and the chemical assault from every direction, it cannot properly utilize the nutrient-dense food that is consumed.
How to Take a Detoxification Bath
The reason water as hot as can be tolerated is typically used is because this initially draws toxins to the surface of the skin, as described by Dr. Hazel Parcells in her book The Pioneer Nutritionist  Dr. Hazel Parcells in Her Own Words. Then, as the water gradually cools down, the toxins are pulled into the water via the principle of osmosis – the weak energy from the cooling water draws from the strong energy from the body heated up initially by the very hot water.
How Often Should You Take a Detox Bath?
If the wisdom of cleansing baths appeals to you, below is a primer on seven different types of therapeutic bathing.
Generally speaking, a cleansing bath 2-3 times per week with only one per day maximum works well for most people. This works to keep elimination channels open and gently encourage the detoxification process on a regular basis.
Note that sometimes during or after bathing, you will notice the skin exfoliating. If you find this happening to you, try dry skin brushing before your next therapeutic bath. While not suitable for everyone, it can be a helpful step to encourage additional detoxification when done immediately before a cleansing soak.
Baking Soda Baths
A baking soda bath is one of the first types of cleansing soaks people try because they usually have a box right in their pantry!
Dissolve 4 cups of aluminum-free baking soda (source) in a regular size tubful of water as hot as you can tolerate. Use more as needed if your tub is oversized. Stay in the bath until the water has cooled which will take approximately 45 minutes. Do not rinse after the bath. Simply towel dry.
This bath is beneficial for exposure to irradiated food, swollen glands, sore throat (including strep throat) or soreness of the gums and mouth. It is also beneficial for those with digestive impairment such as the inability to hold food in the stomach comfortably.
Epsom Salt Bath for Detoxing
Epsom salts are readily available at most drug stores and supermarkets. It is very affordable to try this detox bath next.
Dissolve 2 cups of Epsom salts (source) in a regular sized bath. Use more as needed if your tub is oversized. The temperature should be comfortably warm but not overly hot. Soak for at least 12 minutes and up to 20-30 minutes. Rinse and towel dry.
The scientific name for Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Magnesium and sulfur are both critical nutrients but surprisingly can be poorly absorbed from our food. Soaking in Epsom salts overcomes this problem as these minerals both absorb readily via the skin.
According to the Epsom Salt Industry Council, a simple soak is beneficial to the heart and circulatory health, can lower blood pressure, helps ease muscle pain and eliminates harmful substances from the body. It also improves nerve function by encouraging proper regulation of electrolytes.
Soak in Epsom salts 2-3 times weekly for general health maintenance or to alleviate the discomfort of bruising and sprains. An Epsom salts soak also encourages detoxification of drugs remaining in the body after surgery.
More information is contained this article on the benefits of Epsom salt baths. A fun way to use Epsom salts therapeutically and for children is to make homemade bath bombs.
Be sure of the quality of the source where you buy Epsom salts. They should be certified USP, not agricultural grade.
Sea Salt and Baking Soda Detox Baths
Dissolve one pound of sea salt or rock salt (source) and one pound of baking soda (source) to a regular-sized tub of water (more if the tub is large) as hot as you can stand it. Stay in the bath until the water has cooled which will be about 45 minutes. If the bath is too hot, you can add some cold water if this is the only way you can manage to stay in for at least 30 minutes. Don’t ever add more hot water after entering the bath, however.
Do not rinse or shower but simply towel dry after the bath is complete. This bath will likely make you tired so do it in the evening before bed if possible.
This bath is therapeutic for any exposure to environmental radiation, x-rays, plane flights or airport screenings by TSA.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Detox Bath
Add 2 cups of store-bought or homemade apple cider vinegar (source) to a regular-sized tub of water as hot as tolerated. Use more as needed if your tub is oversized. Stay in the vinegar bath until the water has cooled which will be about 45 minutes. Towel dry and don’t shower for at least 8 hours.
This bath is a great overall detoxifier and for muscle aches and pains brought on by physical exertion. It is also helpful and the best detox bath choice for those with candida issues that affect the skin as it returns the skin to an optimal, slightly acidic ph which is a difficult environment for candida to thrive.
An ACV bath draws excess uric acid out of the body. Uric acid is created when the body breaks down substances called purines in certain foods and drinks. Most uric acid is eliminated via the kidneys in the urine, but some folks such as those with gout can have issues with excess levels. An ACV cleansing bath can provide welcome relief for those with joint problems, arthritis, gout, bursitis, or tendonitis. It also is very helpful for those with excessive body odor problems.
Note that you can use any type of vinegar if you don’t have any ACV on hand. But, watch out as most white distilled vinegar is made from GMO corn and likely contains glyphosate residue.
Hydrogen Peroxide Bath
While not officially a detox bath per se, a soak in water with a bit of H2O2 added is beneficial for healing skin ulcers and other infections of the dermis. This article on the benefits of hydrogen peroxide baths elaborates.
Fever Bath Benefits
Another therapeutic bath that hastens detoxification by raising body temperature by a couple of degrees is the fever bath. It works similarly to the benefits of infrared sauna by stimulating the immune system and encouraging sweating. This article on the benefits of fever baths explains more.
If a fever bath is too much to handle, a ginger bath is another option that encourages sweating with more lukewarm water temperature as opposed to the very hot water required for a fever bath.
Contraindications and Why NOT to Mix IngredientsÂ
Be sure to only do one bathing formula per day. Do not mix ingredients from different recipes for detox baths. This is because one ingredient may compete with another. For example, pushing nutrients into the body with an Epsom salt bath versus pulling toxins out in a vinegar bath – acid versus alkaline.
One exception to this is the sea salt/baking soda detox bath as both ingredients are alkaline and do not compete with each other.
If you want to do a pregnancy detox, consult with your healthcare practitioner before commencing any cleansing bath routine.
Don’t Have a Bathtub? Do This Instead
If your residence doesn’t have ready access to a bathtub to take your cleansing baths, try one or more of these soothing recipes for a foot detox instead. All you need is a large bowl or basin about a foot deep.
Hint: skip those useless and expensive detox foot pads though!
How-to Video
References
The Pioneer Nutritionist  Dr. Hazel Parcells in Her Own Words
More Information
7 Ways to Avoid Detox Symptoms
Top 4 Cleansing Myths
Coffee Enema: Unmatched Detoxification for Health and Recovery
Natural Deworming Methods that are Safe and Effective
Seaweed Wrap: Minerals In, Heavy Metals Out
Castor Oil Pack
How to Do a Hair Detox
Rebounding: A Great Way to Gently Detox
Juicing 101: Why Do It, Which Juicers are Best, Recipes to Try
Sarah what about regular sea salt. I live in Israel and have not been able to find epsom salt anywhere here for years. I do have regular clean sea salt though (non iodized obviously).
Regular sea salt is completely different from epsom salts. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate whereas sea salt is primarily sodium chloride.
Can I mix apple cider vinegar and baking soda?
As mentioned in the post, mixing an acidic detox medium like ACV with a base (non-acidic) medium like baking soda is counterproductive. It is not recommended for best results. You can mix sea salt and baking soda as they are both non-acidic.
Any of you that are suffering from fibromyalgia or these major toxicity problems need to google chronic inflammation syndrome or cirs. You can get this from being exposed to toxic mold. 25% of people do not have the genetic makeup to process and get rid of these toxins. As a result chaos and inflammation occur. A drug that bind to these toxins is Cholestryramine- it binds to them and pulls them out of the body.
I have the same question!
Hey Sarah. I know this post is a bit older, but hopefully you still receive the notification. I’d really like to know why it is recommended to not mix ingredients from other detox baths… why can’t I mix baking soda , epsom and sea salt for example? thanks 🙂
Hello! So I just saw this post and noticed that it wasn’t made too long ago. I found a detox recipe that is 1/3 sea salt, 1/3 baking soda, and 1/3 epsom salt. Various sites say different things I gues.
Fms, cfs, mcs 22yrs & so severe I had to live in a car for more than 5 yrs. due to inability to handle building materials. I am still in THE most severe pain and very allergic but sleeping inside. This place hasn’t been pesticided or painted or new floors for 30 yrs. So 20 yrs ago nothing about nutrition, toxicity, lack of serotonin was blamed. My several hair analysis, organics acids test & liver profile all show pretty much the same thing. Toxicity is a big problem. Without adrenals & liver working well I cant get the stuff out & Ive tried everything. 3rd yr of nutritional balancing. OK so baths. I drink filtered water. This is not my unit to put filters on the shower/bath. However, I did buy a brita for the bath taps but I don’t think its good enough. If I cant drink the water its not clean. I don’t want to have a detox bath if Im putting chlorine & fluoride into myself. comments?
The last thing for me to try was lens neurofeedback & I felt it was the last straw. I am totally alone, excruciatingly bored & the pain is SO intense never mind the several almost anaphalactic reactions a day. I went for 3 mths & in my fibro fog did not realise they were not doing the lens. Finally found someone to do the lens. After 5 sessions she tells me my brain is certainly dysfunctional but it looks like there is some underlying cause.
I know of many but the only thing Ive made a dent in is the asthma is not as bad. & Im not sleeping outside as a single woman.
I feel quite suicidal. I have to start from scratch. Now with no money left & no support.
I have fibro also and have been where you have been. Don’t lose hope! First of all, stressing will make your fibro 100 times worse so take the bath and chill! Your body needs deep relaxation AKA meditation to heal from this or any other chronic illness, so the risks outweigh the benefits. Also, if you draw the water as hot as possible, and let it cool down a little first, some of the chlorine will absorb into the water, but seriously, we are bombarded by chemicals everywhere, so don’t pick and choose certain ones to stress more over. Just avoid as many as you can. Doctors are pretty much the enemy when it comes to healing fibro. They prescribe medication which will make you much more toxic and sick. The same symptoms of fibro are the same symptoms of fluoride poisoning, mercury poisoning and meds like Lyrica. I can promise you if you switch to spring water you will notice a huge difference in the fibro. Filtered or purified water just isn’t good enough. It still has fluoride in it. Get food stamps or whatever you can do to help yourself and eat organic whole foods. anything packaged pretty much will have chemicals. I could keep going on but I don’t know if you will even read this or care, but just know, there are other sick people out there like me who are discovering how to heal from this and know the pain and loneliness you are talking about and can help you.
Have you tried iron? Iron is critical for detoxification. It is also linked to CFS. Have ferritin levels checked first.
You should get genetic testing to check for a MTHFR mutation if you haven’t already. It can cause all of your symptoms. I have a double mutation and have had chemical sensitivities and chronic gives all my life until recently. A combo of antihistamines, discovering I’m allergic to wheat and soy (among other things) and proper supplementation has really changed my life. Google MTHFR for more info!
*chronic hives
It took me thirty years. Genetic testing was key for me. I have MTHFR mutations(funny, the coincidental appearance of the abbreviation for this horrid mutation, it certainly is a ‘mother f…r’). It’s similar to PKU. Essentially, my body does not process the amino acid tyrosine, which is a vital precursor for the production of serotonin, norepinephrine, and other important substances that contribute to mental and general health. Since the revelation of my genetic condition, I’ve been on a regimen of active folate, tyrosine, and have lowered my intake of animal protein. For me it’s been life-changing. Epsom salts bathing has been one of those very helpful tools giving that added boost to any residual, environmental irritants that add to toxic build-up in my body. Best wishes for your health and well-being.
Please try bentonite in your bath, it will absord the chlorine and fluoride, not you. I am so very sorry to hear about your health, I empathize as I have suffered many years with fibro, CFS and post traumatic stress. I cope the best with prayer, meditation, exercise and clean living but it’s a struggle alot of the time. You’ve been through so much but you’ve survived it..you’re a survivor, you’re strong! I’ll be praying for you Debra, take care ????
For all those out there who use Bicarbonate of Soda. Do not worry about buying aluminium free Bicarbonate of Soda, as all Bicarbonate of Soda is aluminium free. it is the baking powder that has it in but not all products. i do prefer Bob’s Red Mill taken internally because it is mined directly from the ground in their natural sodium bicarbonate state. There are no chemical reactions, nothing added or fiddled with. It’s just pure sodium bicarbonate, the way the earth made it.
On the other hand, Arm & Hammer baking soda uses a chemical reaction process through which trona ore is mined, then heated until it turns into soda ash. Then the soda ash is treated with carbon dioxide, and baking soda pours forth through the glorious brilliance of science.
So look for aluminum-free baking powder the next time you are at the store, but don’t worry about the baking soda. You can buy the big bags of the cheap stuff–no problem.
There is nothing like 15min in a hot tub to clear your body and your mind! It’s so relaxing and always feel good afterwards!
I only used hot tubs in relaxing weekends away but with more and more cheap inflatable hot tubs available on the market, I’m considering getting one for the summer.
This website inflatable.org.uk/best-inflatable-hot-tubs-to-buy-in-2015/ lists quite a few. Would anyone have any recommendations as to which is most suitable to get?
The Miami seems good but I wonder if it’s a bit too big: inflatable.org.uk/product/bestway-lay-z-spa-monaco-54113-portable-inflatable-hot-tub-jacuzzi/
I think a very hot bath has kind of the same effect on blood pressure. I have high blood pressure and love my epsom salts baths. I think the contraindication comes from if you are on antihypertensive meds; the two combined may drop your blood pressure too low.
Bath are mostly detox for your mind 🙂 I love soaking in hot water… relaxing both body and mind 🙂