modern mom beauty series: cleansing your body with an ayurvedic detox bath | how to

Tension, stress and worries of the day almost entirely melt away the second we sink into a hot, deep bath. The healing qualities of water are not only able to help the body release the emotional toxins we hang onto but the physical toxins as well which is why hot baths are generally the first thing we turn to when we’re sick or our children are feeling under the weather. Impurities are removed, mucus is released and we immediately feel lighter.

I was hit with the flu for the second time in 2 months and this time I immediately started with ayurvedic detox baths. I wasn’t able to keep down water and worried that a hot bath would be too much to handle, but  “sweating it out” was what my body was in need of.

You can fancy it up with some cooling eye pads, extra herbs or essential oils but if you’re like me and feeling close to near death from the flu, just keep it basic with the ingredients  below since it’s likely you already have them on hand.

– 2 cups epsom salts: alkalizes the body and soothes sore muscles

– 1/2 cup baking soda:  detoxifying and cleansing

– 1/4 cup powdered or fresh grated ginger:  detoxifying and will heat your body and make you sweat profusely

Add ingredients to a hot bath and soak for a minimum of 15-20 minutes and up to 40 minutes if you can stand it. If you start to get too warm or lightheaded, add cool water to the tub and sip on water. Ginger will cause your body to sweat quite profusely for up to a couple hours afterwards, so be sure to wrap yourself in a robe or towel and head to bed to relax and continue to detox.

*A few words of caution:

– The ginger will immediately start to warm the body and may cause your skin to turn pink/red.

– Listen to your body and don’t let yourself get too overheated. If you become too hot, especially with the flu, you can pass out.

– Avoid getting your hair wet – the epsom salts and baking soda are very drying.

– Rinse your tub afterwards (or if you’re too fluey and sick, get someone to do it for you) so your tub doesn’t turn yellow from the ginger.

– Take your time getting out of the tub very slowly and carefully in case you become light headed.