Detox Baths 101

If you’re not a “bath girl,” you may want to reconsider! As it turns out, immersive bathing can have hugely positive effects on health when practiced consistently over time. 

In fact, a recent study followed over 30,000 people for nearly 20 years and found that those who took baths almost daily had nearly a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 26% lower risk of stroke than those who did not. This was after findings were adjusted for other factors such as diet, exercise, and smoking habits.

You may be wondering if a shower can give you the same effects. Unfortunately, it’s not quite the same. Immersion bathing, but not shower bathing, creates hyperthermic action that increases blood flow, promotes metabolic waste elimination, and helps detoxify the body.

A cross-sectional study reported better subjective health status with immersion bathing as opposed to showering. Scores were significantly better for perceived fatigue, stress and pain. Even self-reported general health and skin health was better after bathing versus showering. Profile of Mood State scores were lower for stress, tension-anxiety, anger-hostility, and depression-dejection.

Why the benefits of whole body bathing? 

• Dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow, leading to improved oxygen and nutrient delivery to the body’s periphery
• Induces sweating, which is an important detoxification mechanism
• Decreases inflammation, largely due to the activation of heat shock proteins
• Increases cardiac output, which aids in long term heart health
• Decreases vascular resistance, which aids in circulation and eventual waste excretion
• Decreases blood pressure
• Promotes sympathetic activity within the body, which is the state required for deep and effective detoxification

When combined with other therapeutic measures such as clays, epsom salts, essential oils and beyond, the detoxification and health benefits of full body bathing can be upleveled all the more!

Now, let’s talk about how to do a detox bath. 

These are my general guidelines for detox baths. If you’re new to bathing, I suggest beginning with warm water and soaking for 15-25 minutes in order to experience therapeutic benefits. As you do detox baths more consistently, work your way up to as warm/hot of water as feels comfortable and safe to you. And try to soak for anywhere from 20-40 minutes to reap full detox benefits. 

Of course, always follow manufacturer’s suggestions for specific products and consult your physician for any questions you may have. 

It’s a good idea at the end of a detox bath to rinse both your body and the tub with clean, fresh water to finish. This ensures the wiping away of any residual toxins and/or product. 

My Top 5 Detox Baths

Below, I’m sharing my five favorite bath “recipes” or products for you to keep in your wellness toolkit. When practiced consistently over time, these detox baths can initiate the same bodily improvements evidenced in the studies cited above – stress reduction, detoxification, inflammation regulation, sympathetic activation, mood elevation and beyond!

Let’s look at my favorites!

1. Taylor Dukes Wellness Ultimate Detox Bath

This bath uses unrefined Dead Sea salt, pure essential oil and algae. Because it is a strong therapeutic bath, I suggest 1 Ultimate Detox Bath soak per week. It’s detoxifying, cleansing and restorative. 

Add 1-2 cups TDW Ultimate Detox Bath. Stir to dissolve as much as possible (it’s okay if not entirely dissolved).⁠ Soak for your desired amount of time, rinse off, and drain the tub. Residual particles may be rinsed down the drain. ⁠I encourage people to begin with 1 cup of The Ultimate Detox Bath, and if tolerated well, work up to 2 cups per soak. ⁠I suggest 1 Ultimate Detox Bath soak per week. ⁠

2. Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath

Ancient Minerals magnesium flakes are made of magnesium chloride flakes. These are very very concentrated – stronger than pure Epsom salt. 

Manufacturer’s suggestion for use is as follows: Simply dissolve 1-3 cups or more of the magnesium flakes into a warm, but not hot, foot bath or tub bath, and soak for 30 minutes or more. This is a fantastic bath to replenish magnesium stores in the body, to relax, wind down and relieve any sort of monthly or muscle cramps. 

3. Epsoak Pure Epsom Salt Bath

This pure Epsom salt is made of magnesium sulfate flakes, which are a little less concentrated than magnesium chloride.

With Epsom salt, I suggest 2 cups per bath in warm or hot water. You can uplevel the detox by adding 1 cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of Magnetic Clay. This bath is effective for gentle detoxification, relaxing, winding down and muscle cramps. 

4. HigherDose Serotonin Soak (use code TAYLOR15) 

This soak includes magnesium chloride flakes plus pure essential oils, clay, algae and seaweed. It is healing, restorative and rejuvenating. It also supports recovery and serotonin production.

HigherDose suggests four scoops of product in a hot bath, and soak for 20-30 minutes. It is suggested to do this bath once a week, and before bed is a great time to do so! Any residue can be washed down the drain. 

5. Dead Sea Warehouse Dead Sea Salt Soak

This is a pure Dead Sea salt soak. Manufacturers suggest dissolving 1-2 cups in warm water and soaking for about 20 minutes. 

This is a great bath for gently remineralizing the body. It is also great for relaxing, hydrating and nourishing the skin. 

Now that you know the research-backed benefits and have a handful of recipes and products, I hope you make immersion bathing a staple in your wellness routine!