Epsom Salt Baths

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Epsom salt baths are soothing to the muscles and nervous system and help stimulate lymphatic flow to mobilize toxins that need to be eliminated.  These baths are most commonly used after a massage or heavy workout where metabolic waste products of exercise are either dislodged or created and must be eliminated to prevent soreness.  They are also helpful during illness because of the way the immune system relies on the lymphatic system.  Think of your poor swollen lymph nodes when you get sick, we can help avoid that by encouraging consistent lymphatic circulation with an epsom salt bath.  And above all, they are a relaxing way to incorporate consistent detoxification into your weekly routine.

BUT, you don't want to get settled in your detox bath just to be re-toxing with all the chemicals in the municipal water supply!  We need to face the reality that our water has likely been chlorinated.  According to the CDC, 64% of municipal water was treated by chlorine in 1995, and that number has been on the rise ever since.  Chlorine is a disinfectant, and as such, can be damaging to our skin and the part of our microbiome that resides there.

The good news is, you can detox your bath before your detox bath!

First off, I am assuming you haven't invested in a whole-house water filter or, like me, you are living in an apartment or other situation in which that isn't a viable option.  For those that can, the whole house reverse osmosis systems are amazing because they treat the water at the source, before it enters your home, so all the water in your house is safe to drink, bathe in, and cook with. 

For the rest of us, a dechlorinator bath ball is the answer! Just throw it in while the bath is filling up and take it out before adding the epsom salts.

How To

  • Fill your bath with the hottest water you can stand

  • "Detox" your bath with a dechlorinator bath ball if you don't have a whole house water filter

  • Add 2c epsom salts

  • Soak until the bath cools to room temperature
    The cooling of the water helps draw out toxins. It is for this reason the bath should cool while you are in it and it should not be re-heated.
    If this takes too long, feel free to let the drain out a bit and circulate in some cooler water to speed up the process

What You Need

  • A bath ;)

  • A way to remove the chlorine

    • You can use Vitamin C to neutralize the chlorine by adding 1 tsp sodium ascorbate to your tub and letting it sit for about 5 minutes before getting in

    • Alternatively, you can filter out the chlorine while the bath is filing. I love this dechlorinator bath ball

  • Epsom salts

    • Available at any grocery or drug store, or if you're like me and have a love affair with amazon - you can get them here

  • *Optional: essential oils. I prefer eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender to enhance the relaxing and detox properties of the bath (learn more here)

Happy detoxing!