If there’s one trend that doesn’t fade away like the rest, it’s body detoxes. Since time immemorial, a wide range of internal cleansing methods, from fasting to purgative herbs, have been practiced. And while the modern-day millennial is less obsessed with unsustainable fad diets and intense workout routines, detoxes continue to remain a true solution we can count on every time we feel at the very edge of our health. And one of our very favorites is the ginger detox bath.
Whether you’re looking for a pick-me-up after a wild, boozy weekend or a quick immunity boost to keep you safe in the flu season, this detox bath fits the bill perfectly. Inexpensive and easy to prepare, you’ll be bouncing back into good health before you even know it.
But before we get to the directions on how to prepare yourself a ginger detox bath, let’s quickly skim through the myriad ways this method benefits our body.
Benefits Of A Ginger Detox Bath
The various organs and system in the human body put up a united front against toxins. They work together, keeping their functions in sync with another’s to help keep your body clean and healthy. However, with all the systems unloading their rubbish into the liver, it is this particular organ that ends up taking most of the responsibility for internal cleansing. Therefore, it is also this organ, that often ends up suffering the most as we continue to expose ourselves to an increasing number of environmental pollutants and stressors every day.
A ginger detox bath is nothing but a gentle boost to all your organs to make things easier for them. Here are a few ways the ingredients of this bath help take some of the load off, making it a lot less difficult for your body to cleanse itself.
1. Ginger For Flushing Out Toxins And Boosting Immunity
Ginger is rich in gingerols, volatile oils that warm your body and push it to sweat out its toxins faster. It is this same warming effect that relaxes and soothes aching muscles, which further helps your bodily systems function more effectively. This is also why ginger is so helpful in eliminating symptoms of fever and infection like nausea, headaches, and fatigue.1
Additionally, ginger is also anti-inflammatory in nature – which means it can bolster your body’s immunity and fight off infection and inflammation-causing microbes and ailments.2
Plus, did we mention that ginger is rich in essential minerals like chromium, magnesium, and zinc, which can help give your blood circulation an added boost.3
2. Epsom Salt To Ease Stress And Boost Absorption
Epsom salt is basically a compound of magnesium sulfate, both of which can get easily absorbed through the pores of your skin. While magnesium helps us fight inflammation, artery clogs, and nerve and muscle dysfunction, sulfates boost your body’s absorption power so that it can make better use of available nutrients.4 By allowing yourself to soak in a bath with Epsom salt, you give your body the combined benefit of both these minerals, which can not only bring down your stress levels but can also keep your internal organs functioning smoothly.
3. Baking Soda To Neutralize Hard Chemicals
Hot water baths boost the absorption power of your body, so you definitely want to eliminate those hard chemicals that come with tap water. By neutralizing these chemicals, baking soda helps keep your body safe from their harsh side effects.
A natural pH balancing agent, baking soda also drives bicarbonates to the bloodstream. This sends oxygen to the cells to enhance their functioning and in this way, it also drives your body flush out its toxins.5 Baking soda also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. For this reason, it’s very helpful in driving away infection-causing bacteria.6
4. Apple Cider Vinegar To Maintain Alkalinity
Your body needs to maintain a slightly alkaline pH in order to carry out its functions efficiently. The moment the pH tips over to the acidic side, your body becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of harmful bacteria and free radicals that can have a damaging impact on various organs, hence systems of your body.
Apple cider vinegar, being alkaline in nature, helps restore your body’s alkalinity which further boosts your immunity to keep ailments at bay. And by giving your body a dose of minerals like magnesium and potassium, this ingredient helps give you relief from muscle stress and joint pain as well.7 Furthermore, the amino acids in apple cider vinegar help to neutralize lactic acid buildup in the blood, and in this way, it can give us instant relief from stress and fatigue.8
Preparing A Ginger Detox Bath
Ingredients
- Freshly grated ginger: ½ cup (or you could use 1 teaspoon of ginger powder too)
- Epsom salt: 1/3 cup
- Baking soda: 1 cup
- Apple cider vinegar: 1 cup
- A bathtub filled with water that’s hot enough to bear
- Drinking water: 1 bottle
- Essential oil of your choice (this is optional): 3-4 drops
- A loofah or a body scrubber
Directions
1. Add all the ingredients to the water in the bathtub.
2. Swish the water around so that the ingredients get mixed well. Wait for about 10 minutes for the ingredients to soak well.
3. Get into the tub and let yourself soak in this bath for 20-30 minutes. Scrub your body in gentle, but firm circular motions to help boost circulation and stimulate your lymphatic system. This will help your body flush out the toxins even better.
4. Keep sipping on the water while you soak in the bath; this bath is going to make you sweat, so you want to stay hydrated!
5. When it’s time to get out of the tub, stand up slowly and dry yourself with a towel.
6. This bath is going to make you sweat for at least another hour or so, so it’s really up to you whether you want to get into some clothes or just wait till you’re done sweating.
7. Continue to sip on some water every few minutes to keep yourself hydrated.
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