This post may include affiliate links.
If you make a purchase, I'll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you.
These natural detox bath recipes help your body remove toxins and strengthen the immune system. Detox baths can help with constipation, colds, growing pains, and even temper tantrums.
I can hear you now, through my computer screen: “Why does my kid needs a detox bath? Isn’t detox what they do at the Betty Ford clinic? What the heck would a kid need to detox from?”
Unfortunately…a lot.
Toxins are chemicals or poisons that have harmful effects on the body. They are in food and water, from chemicals in our soaps, lotions, in medicines, and even in the air. (Like when you help Daddy with a demolition and painting project.)
Your body gets rid of toxins by filtering all your blood through your liver. The liver collects toxins and transforms them into compounds that exit your body…in the bathroom. (That’s a polite way to phrase it–right, Mom?) Many other organs are involved as well, including your skin, lungs and kidneys.
These are your body’s natural methods of detox when you are in good health. Your body’s systems are effective and efficient until they’re overloaded with toxins–then TILT!
Signs of Toxin Overload
Your body stores excess toxins in the liver, fat cells, brain cells, and nerve cells. This overload manifests in many ways:
- headache
- muscle and joint pain
- irritability
- flu-like symptoms
- allergic reactions, including hives, stuffy or runny nose
- sneezing and coughing
Moms, do any of these sound familiar? When I learned this, those toddler tantrums and growing pains meant something completely different to me. Maybe Mr. Grumpypants needs to detox!
The Detox Bath
Warm and soothing, detox baths help draw toxins out through the skin and ease the burden on the liver. They work great for kids and grownups alike.
A few points to note:
The detox bath is designed to open the skin’s pores, so don’t use harsh, chemical soaps. A natural, unscented castile soap like Dr. Bronner’s is perfect.
Unless your bathwater is purified, it probably contains chlorine, trace amounts of medicines, and who knows what else.
You don’t want to absorb that gunk while your pores are open, so neutralize it by adding 1 teaspoon of Vitamin C powder or ¼ cup natural baking soda to the bathwater.
All of these recipes are for a full bathtub. If you’re only filling the tub halfway, adjust the amounts accordingly.
Immune Booster Detox Bath
Kids: 4 drops Protective blend and up to ½ cup epsom salt
Adults: up to 10 drops Protective blend and up to 2 cups epsom salt
Toddler Tantrum Tamer Detox Bath
Kids: 4 drops Lavender essential oil and up to ½ cup epsom salt
Colds or Congestion Detox Bath
Kids: 4 drops Eucalyptus essential oil OR Lemon essential oil (not both) and up to ½ cup epsom salt
Adults: up to 10 drops Eucalyptus OR Respiratory blend (not both) and up to 2 cups epsom salt
Constipation Detox Bath
Kids: 4 drops Digestive blend and up to ½ cup epsom salt
Growing Pains Detox Bath
Kids: 2 drops Marjoram essential oil and up to ½ cup epsom salt
Soak for 15-20 minutes in the tub, and drink lots of water afterward.
Ahem. Not the bath water, Little Buddy!
Next time you’re faced with sick or grumpy kids, send ’em to the bath! Which one will you try first?
Can you do a combo of the tantrum tamer AND Colds/Congestion? I would be doing the Lavendar and Lemon combo. Family doesn’t like smell of eucalyptus.
Yes! You would just reduce the number of drops of each blend.
People…Remember that our skin is our largest organ. Therefore pulling out toxins via bathing or sauna is of course going to be beneficial. Drinking lots of water will help move the impurities out.
It depends on the nature of the processing disorder. Which senses are affected? If you’re looking for aroma therapy that helps calm and relax your child, both chamomile and lavender work well. You can even dilute them with some coconut oil and rub some on your child’s neck before bed time so the scent stays with them. doTERRA has some oil blends that help with anxiety and tension, Calm and Serenity are the two I’ve used the most. I’m not a professional, so please take this with a grain of salt, but it may be at least a little helpful. I do work with children who have special needs so I have some experience with various processing disorders. I hope you find a solution! Also, doTERRA has a ton of resources on their website which is great when you are first trying essential oils or if you have any questions about how to use them or how they work. Best of luck!
Eucalyptus can be dangerous for children when not sufficiently diluted. Dr. Tisserand has specific dilution recommendations for kids on his site: https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/kids-inhalation-safety/
You can always use Lemon for congestion, too!
I would suggest diffusing a drop or two (literally) of Lemon in her room. Oils are so concentrated that topical use on babies can be too much for their little bodies.
I agree with the concept of a detox bath. However, eucalyptus is not safe for children under the age of 10. It can cause respiratory distress which is the opposite of what we want. I certainly don’t want my children soaking in something that can cause respiratory distress.
Is it safe for under a year to take detox baths? My 8 month old grand daughter has a lingering cold & has some sleep issues. She is not yet sleeping through the night.
Do you have any suggestions for a kid with sensory processing disorder with major insomnia issues?
Lavender is calming right before bedtime
Lavender is calming right before bedtime
Great article, I use Epsom salts in my kids baths. They work great for bum rashes!
Ugh I’m not a comment person normally but it just frustrates me so how its ok with everyone for drs to pump them full of chemicals and have every side affect in the world but heaven forbid we do anything natural!! And what a brilliant comment that since we prefer to treat our children with as few chemicals as possible we must raise brats too! Lol love it!
I usually don’t comment but I feel compelled to. First I’d like to say that when you are sick you will do anything to get better. Doctors, biochemists, etc don’t know everything. Your body is a mystery & its needs varies as to individual & unique as the person. I was diagnosed with HPV & told because it’s viral there is no cure. I endured 4 years of painful colposcopys, every 6 months. After doing some research I found a website that sold Aloe Vera Gel caps. After taking it only 2 months, my results came back negative for HPV. I took these caps for 6 months and have never been back to an oncologist since. I am under my regular Gyn care & symptom free. It didnt cure it but did what I needed. I also had acid reflux disease & had gastroendocopys every year & took every kind of pill on the market. I weighed 103 lbs & couldn’t eat anything that wouldn’t hurt my stomach. None of the doctors I saw could cure me & I was wasting away. Then one day I visited my cousin who lost 60 lbs. He said he had completed a program called Body for Life. It combines exercise with eating healthy. You simply cut out saturated fat & sugar. Eat 6 small meals a day & exercise 6 days a week – 20 minute aerobics 3 days & 45 min weight training the other 3 days. This not only cured my acid reflux but I was in the best shape of my life. After a year I cured my acid reflux. Now I can eat anything I want & weigh a healthy 130 lbs. I am an adult & know my own body, I cannot speak for children. However my own experience taught me one valuable lesson, to advocate for my body & trust my instincts. Doctors failed me but I will never fail myself. I will say this about Epsom salt, it cured my 8 year old’s puss filled, ingrown toenail. This after using alcohol, peroxide, neosporin, dermoplast & iodine. Within 24 hours his toe was puss free & 60% better. Thank God for good old fashioned Epsom salt.
What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing it with us!
I’m just a regular mom. My daughter has these baths all the time. She’s never sick. She loves them and they make bedtime so much easier. So say what you want but I think they’re wonderful.
Hahahaha. OMG. I love how people just assume that everyone on the internet is honest about their education level/career.
Btw, I’m a rocket scientist!
Hahahaha. Omg. I love how all of these legitimately intelligent scientists disagree and confirm the your child does not need a ‘detox’ bath. But in the age of “what I think is probably best”, let’s all keep being “right”. Let me guess…you don’t vaccinate, you eat organic and your kid never leaves your sight. I can’t wait to see the obnoxious children these kinds of parent raise.
Whether or not you believe Epsom salt baths will detox you. magnesium is best absorbed transdermally and Epsom salt is high in magnesium. I can’t wait to see the type of children that come out of parents that blindly follow what “intelligent” people say. How many times has science said “this is right” and then 10 years later said “oops we were wrong about that”? Maybe it would do you well to do a little research and educate yourself.
Thanks for this information! It’s so true that kids need detox too and we love all the natural ways you described 🙂
For all you smart people who doesn’t think this works at all. There is so much research that says our livers are over taxed. I guess none of you have ever had a Doctor say to you… I do not know what to do for you and I can’t help you. Not just one Doctor. There are illnesses Droctors have no idea what to do for. Epsom salt baths are very good for you weather or not needed for a detox. So think what you want healthy people. One day when your sick and the doctors can’t help you. You will change your tune. I am sorry that you only think man made chemicals can heal. Not true. Plus one of my Doctor starting me taking Epsom salt bath years ago before I knew about oils. I really wonder what personally experience you haters have with anything. Or are you so healthy you just live life like most people in America with your blinders on to all the suffering out there. Sure tell people to take drugs with side effects cause that really seems to be keeping everyone well!!! Not!!!! Will the blind wake up.
Thank you for the post
I don’t think the intention behind the blog was to cause arguments and tension. This is her opinion and it’s up to the individual to decide what they want to do with it. The reply section is so everyone can respond with questions or gentle opinions not be accusational. Please everyone, be respectful and if you don’t agree be decent about it.
This reply wasn’t geared towards you Tiff, I like your response. This is towards all those who are being hostile with their replies.
It maybe I just have super sensitive skin but I’ve put ongaurd in my bath before and it burned so badly. And that was only two drops. What other oil do you recommend?
OnGuard contains “hot” oils and should be diluted heavily (like 1% dilution). If you added it directly to the bath water, you didn’t dilute it. Water and oils don’t mix, the oils just sit on top of the water, which means they just sit on top of your skin, which is why it burned. Personally, I wouldn’t put OnGuard in my bath, but if you feel you need to, mix 3-4 drops with 1 cup epsom salt (make sure it’s mixed well), and that will dilute the oil.
Coconut oil works really well as a medium to dilute essential oils into as well and it’s really good for your skin. Use about 1 teaspoon with 1-2 drops essential oil.
I agree with your post and I also think we adults need a few now and then 🙂
TFS
organizingchick.wordpress.com
How often can these detox baths happen? Can this be at every bath time? (Once a day)
Just for a Regular detox which oils do you recommend??
Which one do you recommend for headaches ?
Peppermint oil is great for headaches, but it shouldn’t be used on children.