Why Detox Bathe?

Everyday we are exposed to hundreds and thousands of toxins in our air, water, food and products. Our workplaces, cars, stores, and even many times our own homes contain chemicals that on average, most people just aren’t thinking about. Trying to find ways to eradicate those toxins is part of what I help people do as a home health coach, health practitioner & mold consultant. One of my favorite tools for both adults and kids is detox baths.

With a growing list of environmental exposures, I wouldn’t doubt that even the average “well” person has a substantial buildup.

From the moment we wake up, we are saturating & unintentionally exposing ourselves to synthetic chemicals, metals, pesticides, EMF’s & other toxins. Naturally those things start to accumulate.

Are you using a water filter?

One of my good friends, podcast host and researcher, Matt Blackburn, was the first person to make me realize just how toxic and important water quality is, and not just for drinking. It can, in a lot of cases, make your detox baths ineffective.

One of the first things I noticed after moving in with my mother in law after we lost our house to toxic mold, was the water. Her home is very close to the ocean and the water is hard, requires a salt machine, and smells very sulfur-ish. It easily stains the tub brown and reminded me of rotten eggs. I didn’t want to bathe in it, let alone try to detox in it. But I couldn’t complain, it’s just how the water is there.

This can be caused by a number of things, the smell is hydrogen sulfide, but the color can be a variety from rust, chemicals, metal or sediments. Most Americans, even with clear, unscented water have disturbing amounts of fluoride, chlorine, metals, chemicals and massive amounts of unfiltered pharmaceuticals coming out their spouts.

It was reported that 170 million people have radioactive water coming from their taps in 2018.

With that said, my most recommended product for anyone who is attempting to create a healthy home is to get a water filter. My favorites are:

Invigorated Water’s Shower Filter -removes copper, chlorine, fluoride, chloramine, nickel, cadmium and a host of other heavy metals for $29.97
Berkey’s Shower Filter - improved shower filtration media, which is most effective in reducing free chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, scale and iron oxide (rust water) for $49.00
Propur’s Shower Filter -helps reduce over 200 contaminants including VOC’s, heavy metals, lead, pesticides, chloramines, chlorine, fluoride, herbicides, pharmaceuticals and odor for $79.95
Pristine Hydro’s Ultimate Dual KDF Shower Filter - Ranking as the best of the best, this filter works for chlorine, iron and heavy metals while reducing odors, organic waste, trihalomethane, bacteria, and common carcinogens such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, benzene and vinylidene chloride for $175

Shower filters

Shower filters are super easy to install, and currently we are using the Propur Filter since it was most affordable.
It’s worked great, and made an **amazing** difference in my hair health. (The last thing you want if you have mold issues is to be making your scalp more toxic!)

Why should we detox?

25% of the population (who have the HLA DR haplotype) struggle to detox & excrete toxins properly. These are commonly the “canary’s” in the coal mine who get sick quicker, and more intensely. Using tools & therapies to help your body move this stuff out, is usually a big part of a detoxification protocol.

I like to recommend detox baths as a nice start to ease your way into bigger detox therapies like sauna and coffee enemas. It’s also affordable, easy to do, and very attainable. More so, it can be effective at relieving such symptoms such as anxiety, chronic pain, fatigue, skin irritation, chemical or emf exposure, hypersensitivity as well as its ability to remove toxins.

Bentonite clay, is one of my favorite tools to use for detox baths. I use it regularly, especially when I am exposed to mold or chemicals, or if I am having a herx reaction. Bentonite clay can do many things, and its use transdermally is not only a way to sooth your skin, but it is the active ingredient helping to detox heavy metals, pesticides like glyphosate, fluoride and many other chemical toxins.

How does Bentonite Clay work?

Bentonite Clay is made of aged volcanic ash and has a high concentration of minerals including silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and potassium. The name comes from the largest known deposit of Bentonite Clay located in Fort Benton, Wyoming.

This type of clay is spectacular due to its ability to produce an electrical charge when hydrated. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it a strong negative charge which then bonds to the positive charge in many toxins giving it a grounding effect. This is why it’s so crucial in a detox bath since it has these magical earthly abilities to absorb and remove toxic heavy metals, impurities and chemicals from your skin while you absorb all its mineral nutrients.

Bentonite is a swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound. Bentonite also helps get oxygen to cells as it pulls excess hydrogen and allows the cells to replace it with oxygen instead.

My favorite detox bath recipes

The baths below are simple, and very beneficial. The most expensive thing will be the essential oils which I recommend using quality, organic oils. Please use them carefully. These are safe for kids but some of the oils may not be preferable for little ones due to their strength and nature. We recommend sticking to the basics with kiddos. Measurement adjustments are at the bottom, but use your own judgement with the oils. Some can be irritating to the skin.

NOTE: When using essential oils in a bath you must use a carrier oil first, like fractionated coconut or jojoba carrier oil. For a single bath, three to 12 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil is sufficient.

uptown clay & Mag Detox Bath

This is our favorite deep detoxing bath. With a perfect mixture of essential oils, magnesium and clay, this bath pulls out toxins, soothes anxiety and leaves you feeling a calming purity afterwards.

You may have symptoms get worse after this bath, detoxification is a process, and pulling toxins out of your body can create more symptoms or a herx in sensitive individuals. Be sure to do this bath before bed as it will make you sleep well. Do drink water during the bath.

*Be aware that Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Arnica, Cinnamon, & Thieves may be a bit too much for those with multiple chemical sensitivity, MCAS, Lyme & Mold as well as children and/or those with sensitive skin. **If water in the home is not optimal, increase clay to 1 cup and pour in hot bath first for clay to absorb chemicals in your water. Then add other ingredients.

**uptown Bentonite clay & Mag Detox Bath**

1/2 -1 Cup **Bentonite Clay**
1 Cup **Magnesium Flakes**
**5-6 drops essential oils, I like Lavender or Frankincense to calm, or Patchouli to up my detox**
Combine with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil before adding to bath
(Mix clay into bath first so it doesn’t clump.)
*Don’t use metal bowls or spoons or anything metal with clay. It takes away it’s magical properties.

egyptian Calming milk, honey & mineral Detox Bath

Both milk and honey possess cleansing and antimicrobial properties, additionally the antioxidants present in honey and milk attack the harmful free radicals and eliminate them from the skin. Having the added uptake of transdermal magnesium makes this a luxurious & rapidly absorbing replenishing soak with actual effectiveness. This bath recipe has a soothing, rejuvenating and calming effect on your nerves so it’s a really nice soak after a hard day at work, school or just a day where you need some me time.

Combine with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil before adding to bath

Mix boiling water & honey in separate large bowl prior to bath. Mix well until the honey has dissolved completely. Add milk to this mix & stir. Add dry ingredients to bath. Add the milk, honey and water mixture & swirl with your hand just before stepping inside the bath.

Essential oils of choice can be added as well. I also like Rose or Sandalwood. Don’t forget to mix with a carrier oil above.

emf rosemary & propolis detox bath

Rosemary and Propolis have numerous beneficial medicinal properties and have been used by ancient healers for centuries.

Rosemary’s bioactive constituents, most significantly diterpenes such as carnosic acid and carnosol, and derivatives of phenolic acids such as caffeic and rosmarinic acid give rosemary antioxidant properties which support function of the liver and prevents damage caused by oxidative stress. Propolis has strong antioxidant abilities to eliminate free radicals and a protective effect on the harmful radiation of EMF’s, 5G & WiFi. It additionally prevents damage of chromosomes and leukocyte DNA caused by radiation.

Rosemary has shown many promising results in detoxification. Both Propolis and rosemary are effective anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterials.

This bath is a stress reducer, that both relieves & protects your skin, body, mind and spirit from emf (electromagnetic field) exposure, 5G, too much WiFi or any other symptomatic effects from electronic devices. An invigorating soak will sooth muscle tension, replenish your mind, increase your natural antioxidant defense system, while also drawing blood from deep within the body to the skin. This bath can also be use to sooth yeast infections as well.

*This bath is not recommended for children due to the oils involved.

(Propolis extract is not oily, however if it is, mix with half of the carrier oil that you would use for the rosemary.)

emf rosemary & propolis detox bath

1 Cup Boiling Water
4-5 drops Brazilian Propolis Extract
1 1/2 Cup Epsom Salts or Magnesium Flakes
3/4 Cup Sodium Bicarbonate
3-6 drops Rosemary Essential Oil (in carrier oil)
Combine with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil before adding to bath

Mix the Propolis in the boiling water. Add the Epsom salts and sodium bicarbonate once a substantial amount of water is in the bath. Add the Propolis water mixture and essential oils when bath is almost full and make sure is full absorbed throughout the tub. *Rosemary is a strong oil, & may not be a good idea for sensitive people or kids, use drops at your tolerance level.

Detox bath Tips:

Be sure to stay hydrated and come prepared with water. Drink for the first part of your soak.
Soak for 20-40 minutes. It needs time to be effective. The first twenty minutes you will detox, the second half you will absorb the magnesium and other nutrients.
Plan to take your bath before bedtime, you will most likely be tired.
It is normal to sweat during your bath, this is your body doing its job and working effectively to remove the toxins.
You may feel worse the next day, get more symptoms or herx. Detoxing is a process, and pulling toxins out of your body can sometimes make you feel worse afterwards. Some of these symptoms are flu-like, tiredness, body aches, nausea, weakness, feeling shaky & headaches. This will go away and it is simply your body working hard to eliminate toxins. *It can also mean more toxins are circulating in your blood stream since they were attracted to being pulled out. Detoxification is not a one time thing, you will have to repeat this process, and make it part of your lifestyle considering we live in very toxic times.
If you do feel this way, try Alka-Selzer Gold as a relief for herxing
Epsom Salt Bath Measurements for kids:
For children under 60 lbs, add 1/2 cup to a standard bath.
For children 60 lbs to 100 lbs, add 1 cup to a standard bath.
For people 100 lbs and up, add 2 cups or more to a standard bath.
Sodium Bicarbonate Bath Measurements for kids
For children under 60 lbs, add 1/4 cup to a standard bath.
For children 60 lbs to 100 lbs, add 1/2 cup to a standard bath.
For people 100 lbs and up, add 1 cups or more to a standard bath.
Bentonite Clay Bath Measurements for kids (Start Small)
For children under 60 lbs, add 1/2 cup to a standard bath.
For children 60 lbs to 100 lbs, add 1 cup to a standard bath.
For people 100 lbs and up, add 2 cups or more to a standard bath.