Making your own DIY health & beauty treatments is easier to do than you might think. Fortunately, many of us already have the ingredients readily available to detox, scrub, exfoliate and soften at our fingertips! Epsom salt baths are at the top of my list when it comes to relaxation, and health issues. I prefer to make my own Epsom salt detox baths, milk baths and body scrubs. Adding essential oils not only provides one a pleasurable bath experience but also helps infuse the body with their valuable benefits. And for those unable to take baths, body scrubs offer you some of the same benefits.
I avoid fancy boutique bath salts and their high prices preferring to make my own ALL NATURAL bath salts, scrubs and milk baths, that way I am assured of the quality of the ingredients and their therapeutic value. Making your own is easy since they’re all basically made from the same simple ingredients and allows one to customize the fragrance and therapeutic value. Keep in mind making fragrant jars of homemade bath salts make great gifts and also allow you to tailor it to the person you’re giving it to.
DETOX BATHS
Detoxification of your body through bathing is an ancient practice that anyone can perform in the comfort of their own home and is highly beneficial. The skin is the body’s largest organ and primary detox pathway, and is also known as the third kidney. A hot Epsom salt detox bath will first open pores allowing toxins to be released, and then as the water cools it will assist your body in eliminating toxins through the process of sweating. I love the way I feel afterwards… relaxed, energized and rejuvenated and is why these baths are perfect right before bed!
Under certain conditions some people when going through a detox program can experience severe detox reactions otherwise known as a “Herxheimer reaction” causing symptoms like; headaches, nausea, breakouts, rashes, itchy, overly oily or overly dry skin, moodiness, etc. Many people report that Epsom salt detox baths are a great way to support the liver and release some of the stress put on it during this time, by bypassing it and removing harmful substances through the skin instead.
The Benefits of Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are made from magnesium and sulfate, and are easily absorbed through the skin. Besides helping in detoxification there are many other benefits to soaking in an Epsom salt bath.
- Stimulates the lymphatic system and boosts the immune system.
- Sulfates in Epsom salt stimulate the pancreas to form digestive enzymes, which assists the detoxification process.
- Helps alkalinize your body and reduce inflammation.
- Magnesium helps our muscles to relax!!
- Helps rid the body of TOXINS that cause us to be tired and stressed.
According to the Epsom Salt Industry Council, it has all the same benefits associated with magnesium supplementation:
- improves the body’s ability to use insulin
- increases heart and circulatory health
- reduces irregular heartbeats
- prevents hardening of the arteries
- reduces blood clots and lowers blood pressure
- prevents migraines
- improves mood, concentration and digestion
- all the while helping you sleep better
FERMENTED MILK BATHS
Baths have been used since ancient times. Cleopatra, the only woman Pharaoh of ancient Egypt is renowned by historians for her great beauty and famous for her fermented milk and honey baths, often perfumed with jasmine essential oil, rose essential oil, or rose water. Legend has it that in order to preserve her beauty she insisted on soaking regularly in baths of fresh fermented milk and honey. Thanks to modern science we now know why Cleopatra’s fermented milk and honey baths were so effective.
Fermented Milk: Lactic acid, derived from sour or fermented milk products, is a powerful exfoliating ingredient that regularly appears in skincare products. Lactic Acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, and is known to have the following amazing anti-aging benefits:
- Stimulates collagen production
- A highly effective astringent on sensitive skin
- Powerful at exfoliating and aiding in the sloughing of dead skin cells
- Highly effective at hydrating all skin types and improving skin texture
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and hyperpigmentation
Honey (raw) is the other main ingredient. I only use “raw” honey because it contains a bacteria-killing agent called “inhibine”, found only in raw honey. Unfortunately, inhibine is easily destroyed during pasteurization. Raw honey is also packed with health benefits:
- Acts as a great moisturizer helping to keep the skin well hydrated and supple
- Antiseptic and antibacterial properties
- Full of antioxidants and is great for slowing down the aging process
If your goal is to rehydrate the skin then make sure to use warm water and not hot water because hot water can dry out skin and strip away protective oils. Using HOT water may also destroy the health benefits of raw honey so be careful not to make this bath too hot!
CAUTION:
- Lactic acid increases your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, as do some essential oils so it’s important to be vigilant about exposing yourself to the sun within 24 hours or so. Be sure to use sun protection!
- Skip this bath if you are allergic to milk, are lactose intolerant or have damaged or allergy-prone skin!
YOUR BATH EXPERIENCE
Allow yourself at least 40 minutes. The first 20 minutes are said to help your body remove the toxins, while the second 20 minutes are for absorbing the minerals in the water.
Use filtered bath water if possible to remove chlorine and other possible chemicals!
After my bath I always drink a large glass of water with a drop or two of lemon oil in it.
CAUTION:
- Very hot baths are not good for those with high blood pressure, and they can be draining for anyone.
- Check with your physician before taking a detox bath if you are pregnant or have diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other chronic illness.
- Be sure to take additional minerals to replace minerals (both good and bad) being leached from the body during detox baths.
- Some essential oils are PHOTOSENSITIVE! AVOID exposing skin to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light within 24 to 48 hours of using topically, respectively, being careful also with “blends” that contain them. Always use caution and apply photosensitive oils to areas on the body that will not be exposed to sunlight!
BASIC EPSOM SALTS DETOX BATH
Place ingredients in glass jar with tight fitting lid, shake and mix well, and store.
(NEVER store in plastic as plastic contains toxic petrochemicals.)
1-2 cups of Epsom Salt
1 cup Dead Sea salt (or sea salt)
2 cups baking soda
10-15 drops of your favorite YL essential oil
(Use 1 cup of this mixture per bath)
SUPPLEMENTAL ADD-IN’s: Add directly to bath water!
2 Tbsp. Bragg’s organic “RAW” Apple Cider Vinegar… Add directly to bath water!
Bentonite Clay (2 Tbsp – avoid in septic systems)
Celtic Sea Salt, Dead Sea Salt, Sea Salt (replace Dead Sea Salt or in addition too)
Ginger essential oil (if unavailable use powdered ginger- BE CAREFUL: ginger can be HOT!)
Seaweed
CLEOPATRA’S FERMENTED MILK BATH
1 to 3 cups of organic yogurt, buttermilk, or soured milk
(homemade yogurt or kefir from raw enzymatic-rich milk preferred)
1 cup raw honey
A total of 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils
For an extra special treat, try adding organic rose petals in season.
Blend milk product and honey first; then add to the bathwater as the tub is filling:
Gently rub your skin with a washcloth or loofa to slough off the dead skin.
You may choose to rinse your body thoroughly after soaking, or consider
allowing your body to air dry allowing the therapeutic benefits to continue overnight
SOURCES:
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/sulfation_benefits. pdf
http://blog.doctoroz.com/oz-experts/restoring-magnesium-levels-with-epsom-salt-baths
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