4 Ways to make bath time more therapeutic
- By Derek Henry - May 08, 2014
Nothing beats a hot bath on a cool winters night, or when one needs to relax and let the troubles of the day wash away. The simple act of bathing has benefits related to hygiene but the benefits increase dramatically when these 4 things are incorporated into your bath time routine.
Magnesium flakes
Magnesium flakes are a great way to improve the health benefits of bath time by infusing your water with this 'miracle mineral' and allowing its healing action to take place by absorbing through the skin.
Soaking in magnesium flakes can:
• Improve skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema
• Speed wound healing
• Decrease inflammation
• Relieve stress and anxiety
• Help flush toxins and heavy metals.
The fact that magnesium is needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body indicates the importance of this mighty mineral. Combine that with the generally accepted truth that the population is becoming very magnesium deficient, and it becomes evident that magnesium baths are a ritual that one should strongly consider.
Clay
Clay baths have been used safely for centuries. Due to its excellent toxin extracting effects, clay literally has the ability to pull out toxicities through the pores of the skin.
Soaking in a pure and beneficial clay bath can:
• Help eliminate toxic substances such as heavy metals, chemicals, radiation, and chemotherapy
• Stimulate the lymphatic system
• Cleanse the skin
• Relieve stress
• Remove parasites.
Clay baths may also be a safer way to detoxify than other methods as the burden placed on the digestive system and major organs of the body, that traditional protocols often cause due to release of toxic byproducts, are eliminated. This saves the body from a great deal of toxic stress, which could even lead to toxic shock. Clay in a bath interacts directly with the body's immune system and helps to remove that potential toxic burden, without adding more toxins to the mix.
Essential oils
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their healing and purifying effects on the body. They come from raw plant material such as flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds and peels.
Depending on the oil, they have many healing applications, from antibacterial defense to pain relief and emotion therapy. Some common essential oils and their therapeutic benefits include:
• Lavender - Relaxes and relieves pain
• Chamomile - Calms nerves and improves digestive health
• Lemon - Removes toxins
• Peppermint - Enhances mood, sharpens focus, and aids in digestion
• Eucalyptus - Alleviates respiratory issues and acts as a decongestant.
These benefits along with the beautiful aroma will make bath time a pleasure.
Candles
Although certain candles can be toxic, ones that are based on a healthy wax (such as coconut) and use essential oils can be very therapeutic.
Relaxing in a bath with no artificial lighting and just the glow of a candle flame in itself can be very calming to the body, mind and soul. Add in the aromatherapy of essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus and lemon, and the healing benefits multiply.
In addition to these therapies, one can also consider detox teas, meditative music and steam therapy to improve the healing benefits of a bath. They will stimulate the detoxification organs, calm the mind, moisturize the skin, increase circulation and open up the pores of the skin for a truly beneficial and gentle cleansing.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.care2.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/022674_clay_body_water.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/034662_essential_oils_healing_remedies.html
About the author:
Motivated by his own story of being sick and crippled at age 30 to healthy and pain free 5 years later, Derek is an expert in helping people get on track in a fraction of the time it took him on his own journey. Actively engaged in the research of natural healing for over 6 years, Derek has spent over 3000 hours studying and collaborating with top minds in nutrition and utilizes that extensive knowledge to deliver protocols that help people overcome their own health challenges.
Derek is the owner and Master Health Coach at Healing the Body, and writer of over 200 natural health articles, many of which are featured at his Healing the Body Facebook Fan Page.
Derek specializes in specific nutritional and wellness programs, from simple lifestyle transitions to complete healing protocols. Check out his popular free health consult.
