Detox Bath Recipes and Benefits

Inflammation is at the root of most diseases. And we now know stress sets off a cascade of inflammation that can worsen or increase your risk of being overweight, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, depression, asthma, gut issues and diabetes, among other ills. So taking time for self-care, like taking time to relax with one of Dr, Axe's recipes, isn’t selfish. It’s essential. Please schedule in time for yourself every weekend.

Allowing our bodies (and minds!) time to rest and rid themselves of toxins is essential to staying healthy. After all, if you’re not feeling your best, you can’t give anything — or anyone else — 100 percent.

Toxins are poisonous substances that negatively affect our health. We expose ourselves to toxins on a daily basis, from sources like pollution, processed foods, and pesticides. And when we don’t release these toxins, it’s reflected in our health and the way we feel throughout the day. Be a fan of detox baths.

While there are many ways to detox, one of the easiest and most relaxing is through a detox bath. The best part? They’re insanely easy to make at home. You’ll get all the benefits you’d find in a high-end spa bath at a fraction of the price and in the comfort of your own home.

Using essential oils, which provide antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with common household items like baking soda, Epsom salts and honey can help flush impurities from the body by allowing it to sweat out toxins.

Ready to try your own detox bath? Try one of these 10 homemade recipes. They’ll help your body get back into tip-top shape in no time. I recommend doing a bath for about 40 minutes to an hour for best results. The first 20 minutes will give your body time to remove toxins from your system while the last 20 to 40 minutes will allow you to absorb the minerals in the water and help you emerge from the bath feeling rejuvenated. Make sure to use hot water — it’ll help you sweat out impurities.

Bonus: Make a homemade present out of each of these recipes. Store the ingredients in a mason jar, add a personalized label, and give to family and friends for a homemade gift they’ll love.

Detox Bath Recipes

1. DIY Bath Bomb Recipe with Wild Orange and Rose Oils

While those conventional bath bombs are loaded with chemicals, you can make your very own DIY bath bomb recipe easily at home. Even better, you can tailor them to your needs by using certain benefit-rich essential oils.

Here wild orange and rose essential oils are used. Wild orange is very uplifting to the body and mind, while rose essential oil can help with depression and anxiety.

2. DIY Eucalyptus and Vanilla Bath Salts

Especially perfect around the holiday season, these vanilla and bath salts are ridiculously easy to prepare and will leave you feeling relaxed, moisturized, and at ease. This recipe uses baking soda in addition to eucalyptus oil and Epsom salts, helping relieve dry, itchy winter skin while detoxing.

3. Ginger Detox Bath + Body Scrub

If you’re looking for a new way to incorporate ginger into your routine, this detox bath is a great option. Not only does ginger help with indigestion and nausea, it promotes regular digestion and helps alleviate bacterial infections. This super simple scrub recipe requires only fresh ginger, Epsom salts,and lemon, but it’s powerful — and leave you with silky skin! Try sipping on ginger tea beforehand to really enhance the effects.

4. Homemade Back Pain Bath Salts

The staple of detox baths, Epsom salts hold their own in nourishing benefits. Because of its high magnesium and sulfate contents, Epsom salts help relieve sore muscles and fight inflammation. Combined with a variety of essential oils ­— this recipe uses peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and cinnamon — and dried herbs and flowers, your body and mind will both thank you.

5. Calming and Detoxing Bath Salts

This soothing mix combines dead sea salts (you can find these at natural health food stores, but if you can’t track it down, feel free to eliminate; you’ll still get great results); Epsom salts, which are loaded with magnesium; mineral-rich real salt; detoxifying bentonite clay; and lavender and frankincense essential oils. Lavender will help calm and relax your mind and body, while frankincense helps ease anxiety. The result is a deliciously relaxing bath.

6. Homemade Lemon Rosemary Bath Salts

Fresh rosemary, lemon essential oil and fresh lemon zest make these bath salts a great-smelling to detox and refresh at the same time. Plus, rosemary oil has its own special powers: it helps improve memory, ease the digestive system, and relieve aches and pains in your muscles.

7. Homemade Milk Bath

Powdered milk is the secret ingredient in this easy, 3-ingredient milk bath detox recipe — use powdered coconut milk for an even better-smelling version. Add your favorite essential oil for added benefits and yummy scents.

8. Lavender Detox Bath Recipe

Lavender oil is a great all-around essential oil. Its soothing fragrance helps relieve anxiety and stress, it can help lull you to sleep, and even improves eczema and psoriasis. This lavender detox bath incorporates all these benefits into one handy bath recipe. Best of all, it only requires three ingredients.

9. Lavender Eucalyptus Bath Soak

Eucalyptus oil has a variety of health benefits: it helps fight colds, respiratory problems, and the flu; treats sinus and allergy symptoms; and has antimicrobial symptoms. Enjoy its therapeutic benefits in this eucalyptus and lavender soak. Draw this bath on a cold day when you have the sniffles; with just four ingredients, it’s perfect for an evening pick-me-up.

10. Simple DIY Almond Milk Bath

You likely have all the ingredients you need for this easy, soothing bath. The coconut oil will make this smell divine. And if you don’t have almond milk on hand, substitute coconut milk instead. I love the idea of using peppermint oil and wild orange for a bath that will leave you feeling not only relaxed, but refreshed and ready to take on the day!