Detox doesn’t have to be painful or rigorous (think gallbladder and liver flush) to give great results. In fact, you can lounge around in the bath sipping iced lemon water and still get rid of toxins and impurities from your body just as well as mainstream weight loss fads and cleanses.
Sure, it will take longer, but your adrenals and sanity will thank you later.
Why You Shouldn’t Jump on The Cleanse Bandwagon
Thanks to popular health trends, many of us believe that we need to stop eating solids, drink large amounts of water, and exercise till we drop to get our bodies clean.
This simply isn’t true. Of course, drinking green smoothies and green juices will always nourish your body and promote health, but you don’t need to restrict yourself to a liquid diet to reap some serious detoxing benefits.
In fact, going on a juice cleanse can be very damaging indeed. All too often, cleanses of all kinds promise unrealistic overnight results that just aren’t that attainable.
For some, especially those who are robust with a strong yang disposition (run hot and have ruddier complexions), may actually do just fine on a juice cleanse.
As for me, any type of detox that restricts fat intake leaves me feeling weak, stressed, and very moody. My body type (thin, pale, and cold) just won’t allow this type of cleanse.
The sporadic and sudden change in my blood sugar levels also causes me to break out because I burn through a green juice in like 20 minutes. Not fun.
Reversion into an unhealthy lifestyle is yet another common factor of mainstream cleansing. The reason for this is that these programs expect you to start suddenly and drastically changing your diet.
Sure, you can lose 10 pounds, heck, maybe even 20 pounds, but the chances of you keeping it off without healthy lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise are slim. The 10 pounds just might come back to haunt you. This is called yo-yo dieting.
So, is there a better way? YES!
Epsom Salt Detox Baths – Relax While You Detox!
I know what you’re thinking: Really Tash? Epsom salts?? That sure doesn’t sound all that detoxing…
Let me assure you that it is QUITE detoxing. Especially when done 2-3 times per week. Seriously guys, how can you NOT enjoy a relaxing bath?
Why not enjoy yourself while getting rid of impurities?
The Benefits of Taking an Epsom Salt Detox Bath
1. Epsom Salts Detox The Body
Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, an important mineral compound that helps balance the body’s many biological processes and helps to flush toxins from the skin, our largest and most porous detoxifying organ.
Simply soaking in a hot bath with 2-3 cups of Epsom salt in a standard-size bathtub can assist in detoxification and removing harmful impurities from your body in about 10-15 minutes.
In a nutshell, magnesium sulfate basically tells unwanted toxins to leave the party. But that’s not all! The benefits of Epsom salt don’t stop at the skin’s surface.
Magnesium sulfate ( a combination of sulfur and oxygen) also strengthens detox pathways throughout the body allowing it to purify itself from heavy metals and other unwanted waste.
Did you hear that? Epsom salt makes detoxing more effective!
Yes, please!
Pro tip: If you want to help your body flush out those toxins even more efficiently, try adding dead sea salt or bentonite clay to up its effects.
Sip on some iced ginger tea with a squeeze of lemon juice to stay hydrated.
2. Epsom Salts Reduce Stress and Depression
Have you ever had a stressful bubble bath? No? Well, that’s because bubble baths are relaxing!
Epsom salts add to the relaxation factor by soothing muscles, softening the skin, and restoring lost minerals and magnesium.
Try adding a relaxing essential oil like lavender to help boost the stress-relieving qualities of Epsom salts.
3. Epsom Salts Increase Our Magnesium Levels
Magnesium regulates over 300 enzymes in the body that play key roles in organizing hundreds of bodily functions like energy levels, muscle control, electrical impulses, and the ability to detox.
It’s really common nowadays to be deficient in magnesium which can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and a number of other illnesses.
Boosting your magnesium levels is an excellent way to support health and wellness.
The good news is, soaking in Epsom salts is a super easy and effective way to top up healthy magnesium levels naturally.
You can also take a magnesium supplement internally; just watch out for its laxative effect. I recommend Natural Calm.
4. Epsom Salts Reduce Pain and Inflammation
Athletes aren’t the only ones who can benefit from a languorous soak in an Epsom salt bath. If you find yourself sore with muscle aches and tired joints after a good workout and need pain relief, then Epsom salts are the key to faster recovery.
The magnesium it contains helps soothe away soreness and assists in the removal and excretion of lactic acid from muscle tissue.
Not only that, Epsom salt baths can even help alleviate the pain associated with migraines and headaches.
5. Epsom Salt Can Help Skin Conditions like Eczema, Psoriasis, and General Dry Skin
A simple Epsom salt soak can help a variety of skin conditions. The combination of Epsom salts and warm water helps to reduce inflammation, alleviate itching and irritations, moisturize the skin, and remove toxins from the body.
How to Take an Epsom Salt Detox Bath – Not Only Physically, but Emotionally Too!
First and foremost, it’s important to drink a tall glass of water with a dash of high-quality sea salt in it to balance the reverse osmosis effect Epsom salt has on the body. If you don’t, you might find yourself feeling a bit dehydrated since Epsom salt literally pulls salt (and harmful toxins along with it) from your body.
Losing too much salt too suddenly is what makes dehydration worse. To avoid this, I recommend drinking an electrolyte drink if you don’t have any good sea salt around to use in your water. I often use this electrolyte. You can also learn how to make your own tasty electrolyte drink here.
Coconut water and charcoal lemonade are good alternatives as well.
Also!
You will want to use something that removes chlorine from your bath water. I use THIS.
1. Before I begin, I like to drink a small glass of salted water (just a dash) to jump-start my hydration. I, better yet, drink some sole. I do this because I know my body, and I know that I get thirsty when doing an Epsom salt detox. The amount I drink is usually about 8oz of room temperature water, but you may need more or less depending on your body type.
2. Next, you’re going to need 2-3 cups of high-quality Epsom salt. The kind you find at the drugstore may contain fillers, so be sure to check the label. You want the good stuff otherwise, you might be adding more toxins to your body than you’re taking out.
Some say you can add baking soda to the bath along with the Epsom salt, but I don’t find it to be necessary for detox purposes.
Adding essential oils like a few drops of lavender oil can help instill a sense of relaxation and reduce anxiety if desired.
3. Start filling the tub with hot water and toss in the Epsom salt. The hot water should help to dissolve the salt quickly.
4. After it’s dissolved, adjust the water temperature to your liking.
5. Light some candles and put on some relaxing music.
6. Grab an iced glass of salted lemon water.
7. Once the tub is filled, get in and soak for 20 minutes or longer. I like to hang out and relax for up to an hour sometimes, especially after a hard workout or a stressful day. Aside from detoxing the body as a whole, the salts penetrate deep into sore muscles and help disperse trapped lactic acid from the body. Magnesium also increases serotonin levels which creates a sense of calm and relaxation. As a result, you feel less irritated, stressed, or run down and are able to have deeper, more meaningful sleep. It’s a win-win!
8. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taking an Epsom Salt Detox Bath
Does Epsom salt bath detox your body?
An Epsom salt bath is often touted as a way to detox the body. But does it really work? While there is no scientific evidence to support its detoxifying effects, Epsom salt baths can provide many benefits, such as reducing inflammation, relieving stress and muscle aches, and improving skin health.
Adding a few cups of Epsom salts to your bath water can help draw out toxins through osmosis, allowing them to be flushed away with the draining water.
Soaking in warm salty water can also stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps eliminate waste from the body more effectively.
What does Epsom salt detox bath do?
An Epsom salt detox bath has become a popular home remedy used to treat a variety of ailments, from muscle aches and pains to insomnia and anxiety.
Soaking in warm water containing dissolved Epsom salts can help draw out toxins from the body, reduce inflammation, soothe sore and tired muscles, relieve stress, and improve skin health.
Adding essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus to the bath can further enhance its calming effects.
Does Epsom salt bath detox the liver?
An Epsom salt bath is often touted as a way to detoxify the body, but does it really work on the liver?
While there is no scientific evidence to support its detoxifying effects, soaking in warm salty water can help ease muscle aches and pains, reduce inflammation, improve skin health, and promote relaxation.
Stimulating the lymphatic system through warm baths can also help eliminate waste from the liver more effectively.
So while an Epsom salt bath may not directly “detox” your liver, it may still provide some benefits that help support your overall health.
Does Taking an Epsom Salt Detox Bath Have Any Serious Side Effects?
If you fill the tub with water that is too hot, you can run the risk of dehydration, dizziness, and nausea.
Pregnant women should only use warm water when soaking in Epsom salts, even when using an Epsom salt sitz bath.
Epsom Salt Ingrown Toenail Suggestions?
For ingrown toenails, soak the affected area for 20 minutes in hot (but not too hot) water twice daily. The Epsom salt foot soak will help reduce inflammation and assist healing.
Can You Add Other Ingredients to The Bath Water While Taking an Epsom Salt Bath?
Yes! You can add dead sea salt, essential oils, and bentonite clay (learn more about how to take a clay bath HERE).
Does Epsom Salt Expire?
Not unless it gets wet. As long as you store your Epsom salt in a cool, dry place, it will last indefinitely and not lose potency.
Does Epsom Salt Kill Bacteria?
While Epsom salt itself has no known antibacterial properties, it has been found to reduce the growth of certain bacteria.
In particular, soaking in a warm Epsom salt bath has been shown to kill some types of fungus and reduce the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis).
Adding essential oils to the bath can further enhance its antimicrobial effects.
So while Epsom salt may not be a silver bullet for killing harmful bacteria, it may still help keep your skin healthy and free from infection.
How Do You Make an Epsom Salt Poultice?
A poultice is a type of home remedy created with herbs, spices, or other natural ingredients that can help ease inflammation and pain.
One common type of poultice uses Epsom salt as its main ingredient because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for sore muscles, aches, and pains.
To make an Epsom salt poultice, mix together 2 cups of warm water with 1 cup of Epsom salt until the salt has dissolved.
Apply the mixture to a cloth or gauze pad and place it directly on the affected area.
Cover it with plastic wrap and secure it in place with a bandage if necessary.
Leave it for up to 30 minutes before removing it.
Can You Put Epsom Salt in a Hot Tub?
While it sounds like a good idea, it isn’t recommended to add Epsom salts to a hot tub. This is because Epsom salts alter the pH of the water, which can lead to corrosion and bacteria and algae growth.
Have you ever tried an Epsom salt detox bath?
For more great detox bath recipes, check out the articles below:
Detox bath: Why and How
Ginger Detox Soak
The Ultimate Detox Bath
Super Detoxifying Bath Salt Recipe
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