Thursday, August 9, 2012

Detox Bath

So after a bad night's sleep due to a migraine with all sorts of annoying symptoms, I decided I needed to do something relaxing today...so I took a bath. Which I never do. Mostly because our bathtub is tiny, and not a huge luxurious one like I'd like...but whatever. It's August and like a million degrees and I took a bath; I'm a weirdo.

But, I totally recommend it, because I feel better. And it was super relaxing.

Detox Bath:

Hot water*
1 -2 2 cups hydrogen peroxide (antibacterial, antiviral, and helps purge toxins)
2 T ground ginger (anti-inflammatory, increases blood circulation)
1 - 2 c. Epsom Salts (combats hypertension, flushes toxins, forms proteins in tissue and joints)
1 c. baking soda (cleaning, anti-fungal, softens skin)

Optional:
Aromatherapy oil (lavender, ylang ylang, tea tree, eucalyptus, etc. I used lemon) or
fresh herbs (mint, chamomile, lavender, or whatever you like) or even
tea (chamomile and/or ginger would be best, but even green tea would be good for your skin)

*Get the water as hot as you can stand it. Add fresh hot water when the bath gets cool while you soak.

You're going to sweat. A lot. And that's good, because it gets all the toxins and yuckies out of your skin and body. The ginger especially will make you sweat because of the increase in blood circulation.

It's important to soak in the tub for at least 20 minutes, but 40 minutes is best. The first 20 minutes, your body is expelling toxins, and the second 20 it's absorbing all the minerals and goodness from the bath.

I lit about a dozen candles, turned off the lights, and listened to Irish and Japanese meditation music. I definitely recommend the addition of candles and music, because it makes the forty minutes even more relaxing.

This bath would be perfect if you're battling a cold or the flu, or have sore muscles and nasal congestion like I did.

When you're finished, make sure to drink a lot of cool water (at least 3-4 glasses), and maybe even some organic tea, to replenish your body. If you don't get enough water, you could feel sick, damage your kidneys, or even suffer from cramps. And that is not relaxing! I recommend the detox water I've been drinking all summer (super hydrating and energizing):

In a pitcher, put in 1 cinnamon stick and a thinly sliced apple. Cover with ice, fill with water. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes before drinking.

Enjoy!
Love,
Vanessa