Though Western medicine has proven that the human body naturally detoxes itself through the liver and kidneys, Eastern medicine suggests that you can also detox your body through the sweat glands, and specifically through the feet. Detox foot baths are offered at many spas and salons, and machines and kits are available for home use. While experts such as Dr. Andrew Weil are highly skeptical of claims, no one denies that cleansing foot baths are soothing.
Wash Your Feet
Use a loofah, net scrubber or fine pumice stone, along with plenty of warm water and mild soap to give your feet a thorough cleaning. This will remove any dirt or bacteria that might react with the cleansing salts and will also remove any dead skin and soften calluses.
Prepare the Bath
Plug in the machine if you are using an ionic detox foot bath, or fill a clean basin with warm water, if you are doing an herbal or sea salt soak. Add the required salts or herbs and mix them, either by turning on the machine, or stirring them with your hand.
Sit Back and Relax
Proponents of detox foot baths like the people at gaiamgiftshop.com recommend that you soak your feet for 30 minutes at a time, twice a week. They also suggest that you wait at least 48 hours between treatments. Soaking times and frequency will vary according to what kind of detox foot bath you have chosen, so read your instruction manual.
Check the Color Chart
Most ionic foot bath machines come with a color chart so that you can compare it to the color of the water in your machine after you are done soaking. This is supposed to tell you what toxins have been removed from your body. The researchers at devicewatch.org state that these colors are simply the sea salts reacting with the iron in the machine's array, but looking at the color chart may inspire you to improve your diet.
Dry Your Feet Thoroughly
Give your feet a good rub-down with a soft, clean towel. Make sure you dry between your toes, as that is the most likely place for bacteria to grow.
Member Comments