Healing baths are those that help the largest organ, your skin, to do its job, of absorbing minerals and elements that assist the body in good ways as well as excrete substances from the skin that needs to go.
Healing baths tend to be warm, slightly warmer than your body temperature. Salts, minerals, herbs and essential oils are added to enhance certain qualities which will be absorbed into the body through the skin.
Do you wonder if your skin really absorbs? Put a peeled clove of garlic into your sock next to your big toe. How long did it take for you to taste the garlic! This test may make you think twice before you let your skin touch cleaning or other chemicals you would never think of ingesting!
Detox baths are geared towards stimulating the skin to push out toxins, and unwanted substances that are nearly ready to leave the skin. These baths are usually hot (hot as a person can tolerate) to stimulate the blood and lymphatic systems and promotes more circulation throughout the body as this provides the systems to forward unwanted materials to the skin surface. Salts, minerals, herbs, and essential oils are involved depending upon the desired results.
The reason for hot water as this initially draws toxins to the surface of the skin, as described by Dr. Hazel Parcells in her book. Water as hot as we can feel it without burning or causing the skin to turn red stimulates this release. Epsom salts and baking soda will help draw things out of the skin while also remineralizing the skin. The reason we sweat is to release fluids and toxins through the skin.
As the bath 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. No need to add more hot water as you bath cools, as this is a desired effect with a different beneficial function.
Home Spa Treatment
Making your own healing baths copies the hot springs baths all around the world while never leaving home! The hot water and high mineral content of the springs has been enjoyed for centuries as many saw positive results from bathing in these natural pools. Add some touches of your own and you can relax while aiding the body in healthy ways.
Healing baths can promote healing in conditions from chicken pox to high blood pressure, insomnia to poison ivy, infections to eczema, and fever to anxiety!
Take time to learn about which kind helps what condition before taking any healing bath. If in doubt, talk to your health practitioner first, especially if you are pregnant or have heart problems and other health issues.
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. Also, if pregnant or you have other health concerns, you should not use essential oils. For facts and safety information of essential oils and aromatherapy, check out the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.
Healing Baths
Starting with simple baths, we supply three that work great and most people can do these. In another article we will go in to the deeper cleansing baths and add links to other lovely sites with their own recipes.
Baking Soda Bath
Baking soda bath is easy as most of us have a box right in our pantry!
Pour 2 cups of aluminum-free baking soda in a regular size tubful of water as hot as you can tolerate. Soak in the bath for at least 25 – 35 minutes. Do not rinse after the bath. Simply towel dry.
This bath is beneficial for exposure to irradiated food, swollen glands, sore throats, edema, rashes, or soreness of the gums and mouth.
Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salts are available at most drug stores and supermarkets and many have added a simple essential oils and coconut oil.
Pour 2 cups of Epsom salts into warm running water. Soak for at about 25- 40 minutes. Rinse and towel dry.
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, an essential mineral for overall health. 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 can improve nerve function by encouraging proper regulation of electrolytes.
These baths are good for alleviating the discomfort of bruising and sprains and may help to encourage detoxification of drugs remaining in the body after surgery.
Natural Sea Salt & Baking Soda Baths
Using natural sea salt is a benefit as it has 84 minerals and elements that feed the body. Himalayan pink salt or other natural, unbleached sea salt is best, although you can use sea salt in most forms as a second choice.
Add one cup of sea salt and one cup of baking soda to a hot bath. Soak for about 40 minutes. No need to shower, just towel dry.
This bath is therapeutic for any exposure to environmental radiation, pollution, x-rays, and plane flights.
Essential oils
You can add some essential oils to any bath for added benefits, like Lavender and Chamomile for the nervous system, or add Eucalyptus and/or Rosemary oils, no more than 15 drops each.
Lavender helps to relieve stress or anxiety, helps with headaches and migraines, nervous tension and respiratory problems.
Chamomile has a calming effect and is beneficial for skin healing, rashes, anxiety, muscle pain relief and assist in helping with sleep.
Eucalyptus oil has a variety of health benefits: it helps fight colds, respiratory problems, and the flu; treats sinus and allergy symptoms; and has antimicrobial symptoms.
Rosemary oil can soothe frayed nerves, and has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties for the skin.
Essential oils can do alot, yet some are not for use on skin or other uses, so research each one you choose. Some need serious dilution, while others many not be used on the skin that is going out in to the sun. One simple link about our commonly used essential oils, How to use Essential Oils as a slide show may help get you started. Other places to study are the companies that make true essential oils, that are pure and clean, and through books by those in this field of study. Not all oils are pure and have added fragrances to mimic the aromas, know your source.
So draw up a bath and soak to your health!
~ Carolyn Thompson
Copyright © 2013 – 2022 by Carolyn Thompson and Enigmatic Proprietary. All rights reserved.
