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Pink Himalayan salt can be added to food, beverages, and baths for a variety of health benefits. A salt bath may balance the body’s pH, lower your blood pressure, and deep clean your skin. By mixing the water and salt properly and taking a few safety precautions, you can experience the benefits of a Himalayan salt bath.
Steps
Preparing for the Bath
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1Take a shower. Wash thoroughly before you attempt to take a detox salt bath. You want to wash away any additives like perfume, soap residue, or conditioner that could throw off the composition of your bath. Make sure the tub gets a good rinse too after you’ve finished using any toiletries.[1]
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2Fill your tub with water. The water should be at or just above body temperature. Himalayan salt baths are not meant to be taken in very hot water. If you have a thermometer, aim for about 97 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).[2]Advertisement
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3Add the salt while the tub is filling with water. As the water is running, add enough Himalayan salt to create a 1% solution. This means adding about 2.5 pounds (a little over 1 kilogram) to a standard-sized tub, which holds 27-32 gallons (102-121 liters) of water.[3]
- Himalayan salts can be purchased online, at health stores, or at some organic grocery stores.
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4Allow the salts to dissolve. A fine grain salt should dissolve quickly, but if your salts are chunkier this may take more time. If you’re concerned that your salts will take too long to dissolve, place them in a large bowl the night before and cover them with warm water. The next day, pour the entire contents of the bowl into the tub as it’s filling.[4]
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5Add essential oils if you want them. Essential oils can increase your level of relaxation or rejuvenation in the bath. If you choose to use one, such as eucalyptus oil or lavender oil, add about 3 drops as the tub is filling with water. Do not add more than this, since it could irritate your skin.[5]
Soaking Safely in the Bath
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1Ask your doctor if a Himalayan salt bath is safe for you. Salt baths can place a lot of pressure on your circulatory system, so if you have poor heart circulation, heart disease, diabetes, or are pregnant, always check with your doctor first to be sure that you can safely take a salt bath.[6]
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2Keep a glass of water nearby. You can quickly become dehydrated while taking a salt bath. Make sure you have a glass or water bottle near the edge of the tub to sip from while you soak.[7]
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3Soak for about 20-30 minutes. Soaking in a salt bath can be intense for your circulatory system and your muscles, so spend no more than 30 minutes in the tub. Even after that short amount of time in the salt water, you will likely feel weak when you get out of the bath.
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4Stand up carefully. When you’re done, drain the tub and rise slowly. Hold onto something sturdy, like the edge of the sink, as you attempt to climb out. If you begin to feel dizzy, sit down immediately and sip some more water until you feel ready to stand again.[8]
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5Rest while you air dry. The salt water is safe to leave on your skin, so no need to rinse yourself off or even wipe your whole body down with a towel. Use this drying time to rest for at least 30 minutes, since you will need some time to recover from the detox.[9]
- It’s best to take this bath right before bed so that you won’t be doing any more physical activity for the day.
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6Limit salt baths to 1-3 times per week. Since Himalayan salt baths can be so intense, you should not be taking them every day. Start out by taking one a week, and then build up to two or three if you really like them.[10]
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs Olde Thompson Himalayan Pink Salt a good brand of salt?
Community AnswerYes, it is a good brand of salt. -
QuestionHow many times can I drink the Himalayan pink salt a day?
Ellie HomewoodCommunity AnswerThe salt is a good substitute for table salt but is still salt. Drinking it will increase blood pressure, make your knees and feet swell, and affect the brain negatively. I don't recommend drinking it at all. -
QuestionCan I add a little bath cream to my sea salt bath?
Community AnswerOf course! Customizing it is totally fine, and I think adding bath cream will work really well.
References
- ↑ http://glamorganicgoddess.com/detox-rocks-moon-bathing-with-himalayan-pink-salt/
- ↑ http://www.naturallivingideas.com/himalayan-pink-salt-bath/
- ↑ http://glamorganicgoddess.com/detox-rocks-moon-bathing-with-himalayan-pink-salt/
- ↑ http://homegrownandhealthy.com/simple-detox-himalayan-bath-salts/
- ↑ http://homegrownandhealthy.com/simple-detox-himalayan-bath-salts/
- ↑ http://www.naturallivingideas.com/himalayan-pink-salt-bath/
- ↑ http://homegrownandhealthy.com/simple-detox-himalayan-bath-salts/
- ↑ http://homegrownandhealthy.com/simple-detox-himalayan-bath-salts/
- ↑ http://www.naturallivingideas.com/himalayan-pink-salt-bath/
About This Article
Taking a Himalayan salt bath can be relaxing and may help lower your blood pressure and exfoliate your skin. You don’t need your bath water to be very hot. Just above body temperature is ideal. You’ll need about 2 ½ pounds of Himalayan salt for a standard bathtub. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for an extra fragrance. While Himalayan salt baths can be relaxing, they can also dehydrate you easily, so have a glass of water nearby while you soak. Stay in the tub for 20-30 minutes to get the most from your bath. When you get out, take it slowly and hold onto something in case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, since Himalayan salt baths can sometimes have that effect on people. For more tips, including where to buy Himalayan salt, read on!
