Bath Bomb chemistry from Epsom, Surrey

Pure and simple: sodium bicarbonate and magnesium sulphate - with optional extras

With people needing simple solutions to help themselves get rid of 'nasties' like bugs or poisonous metals, what could be lovelier than to remember those times when Grandma scooped a handful of sweet-smelling glittery crystals into the bathwater and swished them around.
You can create your own personal health spa! One of the main ingredients is Epsom salts, named after the town of Epsom just up the road here in Surrey. The magnesium sulphate salt was distilled from the springs that arise where the porous chalk of the North Downs meets non-porous London clay. No wonder it has been such a popular area to live in for centuries, and for breeding and training prizewinning racehorses too.

It might be a good idea to stock up on the chemicals for future use in emergencies.



from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Things You'll Need

• Large glass of cold water




• Towel




• Skin Brush (Optional)




• Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate)




• Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)




• 40 minutes




• Optional ingredients: Aromatherapy oils, grapefruit seed extract, ginger, herbs, hydrogen peroxide.

Detoxification of your body through bathing is an ancient remedy that anyone can perform in the comfort of their own home. Your skin is known as the third kidney, and toxins are excreted through sweating. A detox bath will assist your body in eliminating toxins, as well as absorbing the minerals and nutrients that are in the water.


Steps

1. Prepare your bath on a day that you have at least 40 minutes available, as 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.





2. Fill your tub with comfortably hot water, using a chlorine filter if possible.





3. Add 2 cups or more (up to 16 lbs) of Epsom Salts, aka magnesium sulphate. This can be purchased in 3 lb bags or 1 lb cartons at discount stores in the garden centre, or in the pharmaceutical area, or ordered from garden centres in 50 lb bags. It's very inexpensive.





4. Add 1 to 2 cups or more of Baking Soda, aka sodium bicarbonate. This is said to help eliminate the chlorine in the water, as well as soften the water, and help the body to absorb the magnesium. Large bags can usually be found in the swimming pool chemical area, or the boxes from the bakery aisle will work fine.





5. Know that Epsom Salts and Baking Soda bath is a detox bath in itself, and other items can be added for further effects. Ground ginger, or fresh ginger tea both work quite well. The ginger is heating to the body and may cause your skin to turn slightly red for a few minutes, so be careful with the amount you add. Depending on the capacity of your tub, and your sensitivity, anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1/3 cup can be added. Most people sweat profusely with the addition of the ginger, and if you wrap your body in a blanket immediately after getting out of the tub, you can continue to detoxify through perspiration for another couple of hours. This is especially beneficial if you are trying to rid the body of a bug of some sort, like the flu, or a cold.





6. Add aromatherapy oils; this is optional, but there are many oils that will help the bath to be a pleasant and relaxing experience, such as lavender, or ylang ylang, or those that will assist in the detoxification process such as tea tree or eucalyptus. Around 20 drops is sufficient.





7. Swish all of the ingredients into the tub, and soak for as long as you can, preferably 20 minutes. You should start sweating within the first few minutes, and the longer the better, up to 20 minutes. If you feel too hot, start adding cold water into the tub until you cool off. Sit in the cool water another 20 minutes, if you can. When you get out of the tub, move slowly and carefully, as your body has been working hard and you may get lightheaded or feel weak and drained.

Tips

• Take a large, 32 oz or more, glass of water with you into the tub and drink plenty before, during and after the bath to help your body excrete the toxins.





• Don't eat immediately before or after the bath.





• Relax for the rest of the day and allow your body to continue to detoxify and heal itself.





• Other additives historically used by some are hydrogen peroxide, 2 cups, grapefruit seed oil, 1 Tablespoon, and herbs such as rosemary and thyme.





• Have your towel nearby the tub and ready so that you can wrap up immediately and continue the detox.





• Shower off the Epsom Salts, if desired, but it's not necessary, and it benefits your body more if you wait until morning.





• Dry brush your skin before the bath for further benefits.

Warnings

• Do not take a hot bath or a detox bath if you are pregnant, or have heart, or any other health issues. This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or otherwise take the place of the advice of your licensed healthcare practitioner.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual and slightly edited for my Pigeon Post blog. Please find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Take a Detox Bath. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.