Toxic Burden = Total Toxic Exposure – Body’s Natural Detoxification
Our toxic burden is a result of the toxins we are exposed to and our body’s ability to naturally detox. The more toxins we are exposed to the harder the body has to work at eliminating these toxins. The list of toxins that could potentially harm our bodies is almost endless; many start their day with a hot shower, the water is contaminated with pollutants, the soap and shampoo is full of chemicals, the toothpaste has fluoride, from there we may have breakfast where the food has been treated with pesticides and genetically modified. We haven’t even left our house, yet we have been exposed to toxins that can potentially cause ill-health. While it is impossible to abolish our exposure to all toxins, we can reduce unnecessary exposure as well as improve our body’s efficiency and ability to eliminate them.
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Some Alarming FactsOur exposure to toxic substances is on the rise.
Source: Douglas Laboratories Metabolic Rejuvenation Pamphlet |
When metabolic waste from toxins builds up in our body, we get sick. It is important to enhance our body’s ability to detoxify and get rid of the waste, meanwhile minimizing our exposure to toxins. This is imperative for excellent health, as many of today’s modern diseases are related to toxicity.
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“It might seem that everyone is toxic. That may be true to differing degrees. Problems with detoxification is one root of illness. If you feel lousy, it’s likely you’re toxic.”Mark Hyman, M.D. Functional Medicine Expert
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A detox bath is one of the easiest healing therapies that can be done to facilitate and enhance our body’s natural detoxification process. The skin is the largest detoxification organ in which toxins can be drawn out through via sweat. Typically a detox bath is made with Epsom Salt also known as magnesium sulfate, which not only draws out toxins, but also has health benefits of its own.
How to Draw a Detox Bath
1. Add 2 cups epsom salt or magnesium bath flakes to a standard tub full of water. If your tub is bigger, add more.
2. Ideally, you want the water as hot as you can stand it. We are looking to create a nice sweat.
3. If your bath water is not filtered, add 1 cup of baking soda as this helps neutralize the chemicals, primarily chlorine, as well as increases mineral absorption.
4. Immerse yourself in the water, all the way up to your neck. You want as much of your body underwater as you can. Close your eyes, do some breathing exercises and soak for at least 20 minutes.
5. Once you are done soaking, rise out of the tub very slowly and cautiously. You may feel a little dizzy and light-headed, this will go away as you shower off quickly in cool water.
6. It is important not to use harsh soaps or shampoos as your pores are open and will just absorb the chemicals found in those products.
7. Once dry you can apply a natural moisturizer like shea butter or coconut oil and some aluminum-free deodorant, but again no lotions with perfumes, dyes or chemicals.
8. Do not eat immediately before or after taking a detox bath.
9. Instead hydrate yourself with filtered water before and after.
10. Allow time after your bath to rest and rejuvenate.
Metabolic Rejuvenation
I get lots of e-mails from Healthy Living How To readers asking for recommendations for a detox program. Once a year, in January, I take a month to do the 28-Day Metabolic RejuvenationTM by Douglas Laboratories; a 28-day, 3 phase detoxification support program with nutrients specifically chosen to prepare the body for detoxification, support phase 1 and 2 liver detoxification and finally repair the body and intestinal tract. The program comes complete with instructions on how to implement the program, high-quality supplemental nutrients, a diet protocol, meal suggestions and a shopping list. Click HERE to learn more.
Detoxification Part II : Healing Foods
My husband has high blood pressure and i want to get in shape what do you recommend for us?
I can’t wait to try this detox bath..I have been on so many medications for anxiety, depression, pain medications after numerous surgeries, etc. I have been under a great deal of emotional stress due to family issues, etc.. I have felt toxic for a long time and I am currently making small changes in my diet and life everyday. Thank you for this website, it has a lot of wonderful info. Always, Kim
Will this detox bath pull out the ink in tattoos? I’ve had mine for about four months. I’d really like to try this, but I don’t want to ruin my tattoo! Thanks!
Not that I am aware of.
I have 3 tattoos and have done this many times. It will not harm your tattoo in anyway!
I have a lot of tattoos and once they where healed I’ve taken hot baths with bath salts in it. As long as its healed you shouldnt have a problem
I have many many tattoo’s an they are not affected.
How often should you take a detox bath?
Hi Toni, functional medicine expert, Dr. Mark Hyman encourages a 20 minute detox bath daily, right before bed.
what is the effect of the bath? how do you know you are detoxing?
Great question Ann! Read part II for the answer to your question…http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2012/01/detoxification-part-ii-healing-foods.html
Does your water change colour just like if you get a detox with your feet? Which I have had done it was like a foot spa and it had changed the water with different colours
no
Just wondered i have taken epsom salt baths as i like to exercise but last year i found out i have nueropathy in my feet and my feet burn. It comes and goes but the only thing i can think of to take a bath is to put my feet out? Wondered if this is good or bad for my feet?
Is this safe to do while breastfeeding? Also, is it safe for those with asthma?
Yes. And yes.
When I was 18, an older adult noticed the long baths I would take and made a comment along the lines of “Once you have kids, you won’t be able to take baths like that.” I laughed and silently vowed to never let that happen. This is the one thing that I have pretty much kept the same. I take a nice, long bath every day. =) Thanks for the tips! I’m going to try to add this to my regimin soon!
will it help if your going through chemo and radiation?
Bonnie,
I actually recommend baths with Epsom salts for some of my chemo patients. Certain chemotherapies can cause your Magnesium levels to drop (which is what Epsom Salts are). Studies have shown that people with Magnesium deficiencies will naturally correct their levels by taking baths with the 2c of Epsom salts recommended here 2-3 times per week. Replacing Magnesium by mouth can lead to diarrhea, so this is a nice alternative. I actually do this myself to help with Migraine headaches and muscle cramps and it really makes a difference. IN regards to radiation, though, I do not recommend soaking the area undergoing treatment. However, you can soak other areas (i.e.if your neck is being treated, you could soak your legs and trunk, but I wouldn’t put your head in the water). It can be drying and, if the skin is broken, transfer bacteria.
I was wondering if there’s a way to keep my mixture from clumping or solidifying?
Can I use sea salt instead of epson salt? Would it have somewhat the same effects?
Sea salt does not have the same benefits as epsom salt.
I accidentally put baking powder instead of baking soda….
ooops.
Baking soda has great properties also. Both together is a winning team.
Thank you for the great recipe for a detox bath. I’m going to try it tonight!
Can you do this while trying to get pregnant?
Yes.
Will you be able to see a change in the water or anything else that might indicate toxins pulled from your body?
No.
How often should you be taking a detox bath. I don’t want to overdue it. Also, if you do other forms of detox, like sassy water (which I make frequently) is it possible to over detox your body?
Can you do this while pregnant?
Wondering the same about safety during pregnancy…especially with how hot the water is…
It is safe to take an epsom salt bath while pregnant as long as the temperature of the water is kept at or below core body temperature.
You may want to check with your care provider on this one. I was going to make a skin scrub and was told not to use epsom salts in any way while pregnant. I think electrolytes and dehydration were the concern.
Can u put the detox bath on your face? I have bad acne so it would b great if I could.
Acne is oftentimes directly correlated with intolerance to wheat, gluten and/or dairy.
Sounds good!
If you live in a cold climate and take a very hot bath with salts in it every day, I think it would strip your skin of it’s natural oils and would be very dehydrating. I would be cautious on how often I did this, Also in the incidence of pre-existing medical conditions it would be wise to consult ones physician before doing this.
A little coconut oil slathered on, which is a great all over body moisturizer, is amazing afterwards.
If I had supper at 5 or 6, could I take Detox Bath at 10 and be ok? Just wondering how many hours you should wait if you eat. Or if I did this first thing in the morning how long should I wait to eat something?
There’s not a hard and fast rule about eating before or after…a couple hours is probably fine.
Thanks!!
How often can or should you take a detox bath?
My husband said that much salt water is bad on septic tank. Would once a week be useful?
I ran your question by my father in law who is a retired plumber with 30+ years in his trade. His sentiments echo this article…epsom salt is not damaging to septic systems. http://www.ehow.com/about_6469225_epsom-salts-septic-field.html
I have heard of adding a few drops of lavender oil to the bath as well…would you recommend this as well?
You can add essential oil, yes! Eucalyptus is another good one.
Could you add Tea Tree Oil? I’m new to essential oils, but I just bought some Eucalyptus and Tea Tree. I love both, but since I’m sick right now I wondered if TT might be more beneficial.
Hi,
How many grams of epsom salt is in one cup?
Thanks
Is this good or completely safe for pregnancy? I really want to try this. (:
I started an exercise program for the new year. Normally, I am so sore and stiff that I give up after several weeks. After each session, I come home and soak in epsom salts and baking soda….NO NO NO sore muscles or stiffness AT ALL!!!!! It is a miracle for me.
Excellent!
Barbara, I wouldn’t hastily contribute your lack of sore muscles to the epsom salts and baking soda. Soaking your body in a plain warm bath is a common way to relax your muscles and therefore relieve soreness and stiffness.
Heat therapy dilates the blood vessels of the muscles which increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the damaged tissue.
Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin to decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain and partially relieve the discomfort. It also facilitates stretching the soft tissues around the spine, including muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions, to decrease in stiffness as well as injury, with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort.
Hi I’m new to this subject info. Anyone know if unscented baby oil is acceptable as the moisturizer? The ingredient list only says “mineral oil”
Mineral oil (baby oil) is refined crude oil. It is so bad for you. It actually seals your pores and dehydrates you. Try putting a cracker in a glass of mineral oil and another in water. The one in water will dissolve, the one mineral oil will get hard. No one, especially kids, should ever use it.
Hi! Thanks for this article on detox baths. I’m suffering from many issues that come from fibromyalgia like IBS or Crohn’s….bowel issues, constipation etc… Then muscle pain and twitching, restless leg syndrome,chronic fatigue, dizziness and blurred vision and other issues and changes….would you recommend that I take detox baths weekly? Or multiple times a week? Are there any good things I can add to the detox bath to help me with the bowel issues are fibromyalgia? I’d read up on cayenne and ginger being good. Any reply will be so greatly appreciated ! I’ve had it with western medicine just wanting to pour toxins into my body so I’m going the all natural route ! Thank you !
Have you been tested for celiac disease? You sound a lot like me before I was diagnosed.
@ Penny, I was wondering the same thing. Celiac?
My guess is celiac disease too… been there.
Can my husband take a detox bath if we are trying to concieve? I know hot tubs are not reccomended. Would cooler water have the same effect?
Thank you!
I made the water as hot as I could stand it. I couldn’t stay in longer than 10 minutes because it was very uncomfortable. Was this a wasted effort?
When would you need to wash your hair and bathe your body?
I have just done this and it feels amazing!! The twenty minutes felt like forever but completely worth it! My only question is how much water would you recommend to drink daily for this? And when you say daily is it a Monday through Friday or evey single night? Thank you so much for sharing!!
How often can I take an epson salt/baking soda bath? Daily? It does sound wonderful. Thank you.
i have dysautonomiaa. will it be okay to do this…. you said after the bath we fell lightheaded and dizzy. Thanks . Darree
Hi Darree,
I have dysautonomia/POTS thanks to my Ehlers Danlos. I suggest having a bottle of cool water with you to sip, and make sure you’ve had plenty of good quality salt beforehand. Take your time getting out of the bath – go from lying to sitting, wait a minute or two, go to supported standing/leaning on the sink for a minute or two, then stand up.
I’m surprised you don’t use Himalaya (sp?) salts….
Epsom salt is not the same as the salt you would eat. The two major components of epsom salt are magnesium and sulfate. Epsom salt is not sodium chloride or table salt.
OOPS…I posted the benefits of taking in H salt, not soaking in it!
http://campaignfortruth.com/Eclub/140806/CTM%20-%20himalayan%20salt.htm
I have Lymphedema would this be ok?
heat is contraindicated with lymphedema, per my certification training materials to be a certified lymphedema therapist. You might be able to take a warm bath but I would not recommend the water to be “hot”
I wonder about baking soda for detoxing though… doesn’t baking soda contain aluminum? and if so, wouldn’t the aluminum be detrimental for detoxing.
Baking soda at one time did contain aluminum…however most companies have stopped. Arm & Hammer baking soda is aluminum-free. Now baking powder on the other hand…
I have several illnesses, the major ones being autoimmune hepatitis, lupus, diabetes, and IBS. Would this bath be ok for me? I also work out and have some soreness (my trainer is a marine). He works me out hard and I love him to death.
Yes, I also have Lupus and have taken detox baths. Just make sure to lay down as soon as you get out. It made me VERY tired afterwards.
me too, but i am on wk. three i take one every friday night and I must say it truly tires you out but the days that follow you feel great
would a detox bath affect a testosterone implanted pellet?
Has this bath helped in relieving headaches? I much rather soak in a beneficial bath than take medicine.
Yes, it helps with headaches.
I get these painfull cycst like bumps. I wonder if this could help? I’m deperate for relief.
I’ve wanted to do this for some time. I have an undiagnosed GI tract infection that has left me almost bedridden for the past year, and many of my non-GI symptoms (I believe) are from toxins the infectious agents are emitting.
I have one hesitation- every time I take a bath with anything other than plain water, I come down with a vaginal yeast infection. The last time, in fact, was with a commercial bath salt product that was, basically, scented epsom salt. It seems to change the ph of my vagina or something, and then comes the infection.
Any tips? Does this not happen to anyone else??
What about the toxins in tge tap water? Do you recommend a bath faucet filter? Or do you think you still get the benefits, even though the tap water isn’t pure?
Everytime I take one of these baths I get sick. I don’t know if its the fact that I have a compromised immune system or what.
It could be the after effects of the liver trying to filter out all the toxins that have been drawn out.
I did this when i had the flu earlier this year and literally felt much better the next day! Soreness and body aches went away quicker than I expected
Never had the flu before but if I get it again, I will def be doing this again too!
What about adding cider vinegar in the same proportions as the epsom salts to the bath water AT THE SAME TIME? Cider vinegar is very good for skin. It restores the acid mantel to the skin. Your skin will be soft from the vinegar. You will not smell like vinegar, btw. Also, vinegar is a natural disinfectant.
Can you use soaking Epsom salts? Like the lavender or the therapeutic ones?
Would you recommend this for kids too? My kids take baths every night and I don’t add anything to the water but often wonder if I should. Maybe I should at least add baking soda since the water is not filtered.
Kids can benefit from the magnesium too.
I imagine it would help with growing pains (leg cramps ect) in kids
Ok so my question is I rent an condo and I don’t have the biggest bath tub and I’m not a tiny girl. Does it matter if you can’t soak your whole body all at once? I can only add so much water. I have done 2 detox baths but have done them wrong. (I was told 1 cup of Epsom salt) so I want to go home and try it tonight. I do make sure my hands and feet are in the water at all times and even though I didn’t use the right amount I did sweat alot and it did make me feel real tired afterwards. So hopefully it did a little something.
I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant and my grandma got the foot detox bath…would it be safe to use just that instead of soaking myself in a whole bath tub to detox?
I recently visited my massage therapist who said detox baths are good but not to exceed 3 detox baths per week because studies have shown it relinquishes minerals directly from the bone. What are your thoughts on this matter?
would this be damaging or hurtful to your hair?
Hi, this actually can help with hair if it is oily or you want to remove all the residue from hair products in your hair. We also absorb toxins through our scalp so it would probably help take toxins out of your scalp.
I just got my salts and the box said to ask doctor before use if you are pregnant just thought I would say
I noticed that if my bath water is too hot it makes me feel sick when I get out as if my blood sugar were dropping. I do not have low blood sugar or diabetes. I get my water medium warm to very warm not hot. I think if it is too hot the toxins just back up inside you.
Hi Shannon,
This sounds more like you have an imbalance in your electrolytes – most likely salt. Maybe try having some good quality salt with some water before your next bath, and see if that helps? I hope it does, it works for me =)
Does anyone know if this amount of salt would be harmful to my septic tank bacteria? They are, of course, intestinal bacteria so somewhat sensitive.
Oops! Just read your response above. Thx.
I have a sinus infection and just got 2 shots and a zpak to help me get better. Will this bath take these antibiotics out of my system?
I’ve had one sinus infection in my life. I did not use antibiotics, but opted for hot showers and a neti-pot. After just one round of antibiotics it is judicious to take high-quality probiotics and l-glutamine, as anti-b do a number on the gut.
I don’t have a bathtub, only a shower. Would a foot soak work? If so, what proportion of products. Thx
It will feel good, that’s for sure, but won’t help the body detox.
Hello so everyone keeps saying coconut oil are you talking about the one made for lotion or the actual coconut oil for cooking and everything?
I use organic extra-virgin coconut oil…
I have tank water …rain water …so I don’t need baking soda?
I didn’t think about the septic tank but I see that it’s fine. been giving these a go, think I need to make them hotter and do a bit more hydrating
…if you can advise on the baking soda that would be great, thanks
Do you have a recommendation for people who are trying to loose weight but cant get into a bathtub easily?
I have panic attacks, especially when I sweat or get hot. Will this still work if I don’t sweat in a warm bath?