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Detoxifying Ginger Bath Salts

Help your body flush out toxins and boost your immune system with a ginger detox salt bath.

These simple to make bath salts are a great option for natural and simple relaxation that also helps fight cold symptoms all in the daily ritual of bathing.

Now, let’s remember that nourishing food and drink is the best way to keep our bodies running at their best but we can all use a little extra help now and then especially when flu season rolls around and a homemade ginger detox bath soak is a great way to do just that!

Sweat it Out

To be clear detoxifying the body mainly happens in the liver and kidneys. There is no scientific evidence that toxins leave the body through the skin.

However, a good sweat now and then can help the body. Sweating can also help get rid of certain colds because the bacteria can’t survive the higher body temperature.

A nice hot bath with the addition of ginger can induce sweating. In fact, a ginger bath can sometimes make a person sweat for an up to an hour after. Keep that in mind when getting dressed (maybe stay in a robe).

Pull Out Impurities

Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) have long been revered for their ability to pull impurities from the body. They also happen to be an excellent remedy for soothing joint pain, sore muscles, and body aches. The magnesium contained in Epsom salts can be absorbed through the skin and has numerous benefits to our body and mind including helping us sleep.

Healing Relief

Baking soda has long been a standby for a healing, relaxing bath.

It makes the water feel softer on our skin. This pantry staple can help relieve itchy skin, kill bacteria that causes foot odor, and even help with urinary tract and yeast infections.

Running water from a faucet filling up a bath tub. Soap, bottles of oil, and sponges sit on the rim of the tub.

The heat of a warm bath can often provide so much more than can easily be quantified – it can often calm the nervous system, ease flu symptoms, and so much more. A warm bath in any form can be easily become one of our favorite ways to practice self-care.

Ground Ginger Powder vs. Essential Oils

When I first started researching detox bath recipes, I turned to my favorite herbalists and trusted books. Every single one of them used dried ground ginger in their formulations. I stuck by this wisdom and didn’t even try an essential oil instead.

Essentials oils can be expensive but also have a stronger sensation which might not feel good at all to some folks. Ground dried ginger is generally fairly frugal and likely in the pantry for most folks.

Fresh ginger can also have a bit of burning sensation when in direct contact with the skin and it is for this reason, that I don’t suggest using it in this great bath salt recipe. The fresh ginger would also likely shorten the shelf life of the finished product.

Stay Hydrated

Be sure to stay hydrated as part of this detox bath process. Drink plenty of water before and after the detox bath to prevent dehydration and help the body flush internal toxins. Don’t skip this important step, you’ll be glad for those large glasses of water.

Cautions

As with anything, either homemade or store bought, it is a good idea to test this product and all salt baths carefully on your body.

Folks with allergies to any of the ingredients should most definitely avoid using this.

An open jar of ginger bath salts surrounded by a white cloth, wood spoon, slices of dried ginger, and a lit candle.

For folks with extremely sensitive skin, the ginger might prove to be irritating. Test a small bit in a bath first before adding an entire 1/2 cup.

If you have specific medical conditions, make sure the baking soda or epsom salts won’t cause any issues for you, double check with your doctor or medical professional if you are unsure. Baking soda baths are not recommended for people with high blood pressure or diabetes. It is always best to be overly cautious.

If you have any concerns or worries about the result of its use, start with a small amount before soaking too long in the detoxifying bath.

Avoid soaking in this if you have open wounds. Let those heal before immersing yourself into the natural salt and ginger here.

How to Store

Once you make your bath salts, simply store them in an airtight container like a glass jar. They’ll keep for up to 6 months as long there isn’t any moisture in the container.

If you feel like you might use it often, make a big batch to keep it on hand.

Other Ways to Use

Obviously, the main idea with these is to use them in a bath of hot water for a long soak.

Close up of ginger bath salts in an open jar.

However, they could also be as a foot soak. Simply put a small amount of water in a basin and add just a 2-3 Tablespoons of the salt and agitate before placing your feet in the water to soak for a while.

Give as a Gift

A warm ginger bath would make a lovely gift for someone getting over an illness or just having a tough time and need a little relaxing love.

Consider putting a jar of the bath salts into a gift basket with some ginger tea and a good book for an easy but loving gift.

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Mail the bath salts by putting them in a plastic bag to make them lighter and less likely to break in the shipping process.

Yield: Enough for about 6 baths

Ginger Detox Bath Salts

An open jar of ginger bath salts surrounded by slices of dried ginger and a white cloth.

Make ginger bath salts for a super simple and oh-so-soothing bath experience.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $3.00

Materials

  • 2 Cups Epsom Salts
  • 2/3 Cup Baking Soda
  • 2 Tablespoons Ground Ginger

Tools

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring Cups
  • Whisk
  • Storage Container

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients together, using a whisk to remove any lumps.
  2. Alternatively place all the dry ingredients a jar or other lidded container and simply shake well to combine.
  3. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Add 1/2 Cup of bath salts to warm bath water and agitate to dissolve completely.  

Did you make this project?

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fitoru

Tuesday 31st of March 2020

Thanks for sharing such a valuable article. Keep up your good work!

Edna

Monday 22nd of January 2018

Hi Kathie I made the bath salts and they are very nice. I put them in jelly type jars enough for two baths and gave some away as gifts.Now I am comm8ing down with a cold and will use them tonight,cant wait.I used grated fresh ginger is that o.k.? love your site keep up the great work

Kathie Lapcevic

Monday 22nd of January 2018

I hope they work for you. Fresh ginger may make it harden up because of the moisture, it also might be a little hotter (because you get some of the natural oil)- try a bit first. Enjoy!

Gwen

Friday 5th of January 2018

I have a weird question and will forgive you if you don't know. :-) Thanks to experimenting with different shaving lotion formulas, I've figured out that my skin and baking soda are not friends, yet every recipe I see for any sort of bath salts uses baking soda. In other formulations, like the shaving lotion, I'm able to replace it with Arrowroot powder. Do you think that trying that here and with other bath salt recipes would be worth trying? I know that there is a benefit that I'll be losing by leaving out the baking soda even though my skin will be thanking me and I've tried straight Epsom salts yet I'd like to mix it with something...anything!

Kathie Lapcevic

Friday 5th of January 2018

Oh yeah, some folks don't do well with baking soda. Try substituting bentonite clay for the baking soda. It's supposed to be great for pulling out toxins.

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