Detox baths are popular components of self-care regimens that promote stress relief and relaxation. However, they also serve the purpose of eliminating harmful toxins from the body.
Consider how people are exposed to radiation daily — if not from receiving diagnostic and preventative medical imaging, then from impurities in the atmosphere. We are also regularly exposed to other contaminants that are hazardous to our health.
While you may not have thought a soak in the tub would help you detox after a mammogram, the right ingredients can deliver the all-body cleanse you need.
Radiation Exposure a Concern in the Medical Field
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an initiative to reduce unnecessary exposure to radiation through medical imaging. As of 2019, projection radiography — such as mammograms — accounts for 74% of radiation exposure through medical scans in the U.S.
The FDA has set regulations for manufacturers to implement safeguards into machine designs. Otherwise, the initiative promotes provider and patient awareness of potential radiation harm, paving the way for more informed medical decisions.
X-rays, CT scans and nuclear scans use ionizing radiation, which can modify DNA structure, hinder cell regeneration and result in cancers years later. In fact, CT scans deliver 70 times more radiation than a standard chest X-ray.
Of course, you wouldn’t be alone if you wondered how to reduce radiation in the body after a medical scan. A detox bath after an MRI or related imaging procedure can reduce the risk of developing cancer down the road.
Recipe to Get Rid of Radiation After an X-Ray
Fill your bathtub with hot water and add one or two pounds of Epsom salt and baking soda for a neutralizing soak. You’ll want to sit in the bathtub for up to an hour for the best results.
Bentonite clay is another beneficial ingredient that can aid radiation removal after medical imaging. Studies show that bentonite clay absorbs toxic metals from polluted water, indicating it could potentially remove impurities from the skin.
You should speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your risk of exposure to radiation during an imaging scan. They can answer any questions regarding the procedure and its effects on your long-term health.
5 Other Detox Bath Recipes for a Healthier Body
Your body is exposed to other harmful toxins besides radiation, such as pesticides in your food, “forever chemicals” in your drinking water and particulate matter in the air you breathe. Fortunately, detox baths can cleanse your body of those pollutants and improve your overall health. Here are five detox bath recipes you can’t live without.
- Ginger and Salt Scrub for Bacterial Infections
Ginger has been an essential ingredient in Chinese medicine since 400 BC, relieving gastrointestinal conditions and constipation, everyday colds, cramps, migraines, gingivitis and infectious diseases.
After remedying such a long list of ailments, it’s little wonder that ginger is one of the best ingredients for detoxifying bacterial infections.
Create a bath scrub using freshly-grated finger, Epsom salt and lemon juice for your detox bath. The warm, spicy scent can relieve nausea and indigestion and eliminate bacteria. You can also sip ginger tea beforehand for more positive gastrointestinal effects.
- Epsom Salt for Pain Relief and Inflammation
Epsom salt has excellent anti-inflammatory properties to relieve muscle and joint pain — the main reason you can find it in numerous detox bath recipes.
Although studies haven’t determined for sure if Epsom salt works, many medical specialists recommend people with muscle pain try it.
You should purchase Epsom salt with 100% magnesium sulfate, dissolving 1.25 cups in a warm bath — swirl the salt around until it fully dissolves. Your body will absorb the Epsom salt while you soak in it for about 15 minutes.
- Lemon Rosemary Detox for Immunity
Re-energize your body and mind with a lemon rosemary detox bath. Rosemary contains antioxidants that improve immunity and circulation and fight inflammation. Other research suggests that citrus foods like lemon have similar effects on the body.
Rosemary also enhances memory, increases concentration and may slow cancer cell growth. Studies suggest that rosemary’s polyphenols have successfully suppressed cancerous genes by fighting off free radicals.
Fresh rosemary, lemon zest and a citrus-scented essential oil will deliver one of the most refreshing detox baths you’ve ever had.
- Oatmeal Bath to Soothe Skin
Few detox baths are as soothing and enjoyable as those that use oatmeal as the main ingredient. Add some Epsom salt to your oatmeal bath to relieve skin irritations and muscle pain simultaneously.
Research shows that colloidal oatmeal provides a skin barrier, moisturizing and alleviating various dermatological conditions. Many people even turn to oatmeal to manage eczema and psoriasis.
You could also include other natural ingredients in your oatmeal soak, such as honey, milk, lavender and apple cider vinegar for softer, healthier skin.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Soak for Foot Detox
Find relief from athlete’s foot and other fungal infections with an apple cider vinegar foot soak.
Apple cider vinegar is known for its antibacterial properties, including fighting off staph infections and E.coli. It comprises 5% acetic acid that hinders yeast cell growth, proving more effective than antibiotics.
Fill a foot soak tub with warm water, apple cider vinegar, Epsom salt, bentonite clay and whichever essential oil you prefer. Apple cider vinegar is potent, so you’ll want to mask the smell.
Eliminate Bodily Toxins With a Detox Bath
In addition to providing a relaxing afternoon soak, detox baths are healthy for reducing bodily toxins. We can’t always help aches and pains or exposure to radiation particles — mammograms and MRIs are potentially life-saving scans — but we can limit the negative effects. The next time you feel out of sorts or must schedule an imaging appointment, plan to take a cleansing detox bath.
Writer Bio
Beth is the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind. She shares knowledge on a variety of topics related to nutrition, healthy living, and anything food-related. In her spare time, Beth enjoys trying out new fitness trends and recipes.
