4 Simple Detox Bath Ingredients You Already Have In Your Kitchen And How To Use Them!

While I believe there are healing elements to just plain ole hot water – if you really need a total detox, there are 4 simple ingredients you probably have in your kitchen that also need to be in your bathroom. This is a great combination if you feel a cold coming on, have sinus pain, allergies, joint pain/stiffness, or a headache. I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sick with cold and allergy symptoms, taken this bath, and then woken up better the next morning!

1) Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is the #1 item I keep on hand in my bathroom at all times! The list of benefits is long, but the main superpowers I love it for are:

• It’s anti-inflammatory. This makes is great for swelling, achy joints or muscles – and is the main reason it’s a staple in my bath!
• It fights fungus and yeast infections on the skin. Several studies have demonstrated ACV’s antifungal properties against Candida. Say goodbye to those over the counter fungal creams!
• Skin Detox. Our skin is the largest organ on our body, and absorbs everything that touches it. We are usually good about taking care of the skin on our faces, but what about the rest of our body? The healthier our skin is, the healthier WE are. The natural minerals, rich vitamins, and antibacterial properties will leave our skin soft, healthy, and happy! It also does wonders for the pH levels on our skin, which leads to balanced pH levels on the INSIDE as well – that’s pretty huge y’all! A healthy body is a balanced, alkaline body. 

It’s important to use Organic Apple Cider Vinegar WITH the Mother. This ensures you get the most unfiltered nutrients and vitamins. I have mine autoshipped from Amazon every month, so I never run out or have to remember it at the store. 

2) Epsom Salts

I LOVE Epsom Salts! I never take a bath without tossing in a handful, or an entire bag full depending on how I’m feeling! Be careful when buying Epsom salts, though. They often have added fragrances and oils that are NOT pure, and could totally negate the purpose of taking a detox bath. Remember how your skin is the biggest organ on your body, and soaks up everything that touches it? Make sure you’re only giving your body healing elements, not adding more toxins! 

The idea with Epsom salts is that in warm water they break down into magnesium and sulfate, and your skin soaks it up into your body:

• Magnesium – Magnesium is an essential mineral that everyone should sufficiently have. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for most Americans, and lacking magnesium can cause MANY health problems!  Taking an epsom salt bath can raise magnesium levels quickly. In a bath, magnesium is a huge stress reliever! It calms my mind and relaxes my body. 
• Sulfate – Sulfates help the body to release harmful toxins by literally drawing them out through a process of reverse osmosis. If you find yourself sweating more than normal when you add epsom salts to your bath – that’s your body letting go of toxic buildup thanks to the help of magnesium sulfate!

My favorite brand of Epsom salts are these by Dr Teals – they have no added fragrances or chemicals, just simple magnesium sulfate.

3) Baking Soda

I’m pretty sure everyone has baking soda in their pantry, but how about keeping a box next to your tub as well? Baking soda is alkaline, making your bathwater more alkaline, therefore making your body more alkaline as your skin absorbs it! Again, a balanced and alkaline body IS a healthy body. Just a cup or two in your water (depending on how big the tub is) makes the water feel silky smooth without feeling slippery. Some other benefits of baking soda in the bath are that it can soothe aches, soften skin,  and relieve itchiness. 

4) Ginger

The first time I read about using Ginger for a detox bath, I was honestly surprised. And then when I tried it, and felt the benefits of it’s use I was SHOCKED. Ginger speeds up circulation, raising your body temperature, and making you sweat. Like, A LOT! I now keep a bottle of Young Living Ginger Essential Oil next to my tub, and add a few drops when I want an intense detox. However, when I first began I just grabbed a jar of powdered ginger out of my kitchen cabinet and worked just as well! Either one works, but make sure you rinse the tub well after using the powder. Ginger in the bath can help us to sweat out cold/flu symptoms, treat a hangover(!), or just to purge the everyday chemicals we inadvertently come in contact with every single day. 

Combine all four of these elements for a healing, relaxing, and detoxing bath –

1 cup ACV

1-2 cups Epsom Salts

1-2 cups baking soda

2-4 drops Ginger essential oil OR 2-4 T ground ginger

Be sure to have a BIG cup of water with you in the tub, because this level of detoxing will make you very hot and thirsty!

Also, I highly recommend draining the water and adding a little cool water before you get out. This will help you to rinse off all the toxins you’ve release – definitely don’t want those reabsorbing into the body! It will also help you to cool off, since a detox bath can sometimes make us feel a bit lightheaded afterward.

Healthy bathing! Love, Melanie

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