How To | Detox Rocks! Pink Himalayan Salt + Moon Bath

 One day, way back when… Hippocrates (the Father of Medicine) had heard that fishermen would soak their rough, injured hands in seawater to cleanse and heal them after a hard day’s work. Much to his surprise, he noticed they had very few infections or complications after the saltwater soaks, regardless of the nature of the wound. Soon after, he began encouraging patients to bathe in warmed seawater and called the therapeutic treatment “Thalassotherapy”.

Today, these baths are most commonly known as Himalayan Salt, Sole or Brine Baths and are often done in conjunction with certain phases of the moon. This is known as Moon or Moon Rhythm Bathing.

How It Works

In a regular bath, moisture is actually extracted from the skin. In a Himalayan Salt Bath, minerals are absorbed while toxins are released into the bath water via osmosis. The inside and the outside of your body detoxified through this process, while bio-energetic weak points are restored and energy flow is activated.

When To Do Them

• Full Moon = Healing. During a Full Moon, healing potential is at its peak, meaning the mineral absorption is optimized.
• New Moon = Cleansing. During a New Moon, cleansing is at it’s peak, meaning the body’s ability to internally and externally detoxify itself is at it’s highest potential.
• Anytime. Salt Baths are healing and detoxifying anytime, but are said to be more powerful during New and Full Lunar Cycles.

Benefits

• The detox effect of a sole (brine) bath is equivalent to that of a 3 day fast!
• Contains over 84 minerals and elements and is known as the purest salt on earth.
• Reduces acidity and inflammation in your body and balances the pH of your skin.
• Produces spiritual and mental balance, lightens depression and negativity, regulates sleep, relieves stress and restores all around harmony.
• Helps reduce inflammation of sprains, strains of muscles and joints, relieves pain and soreness from broken bones, arthritis and rheumatism, osteoarthritis, tendinitis.
• Stimulates circulation, promotes cellular regeneration and moisture retention in dry, irritated skin. Helps heal various skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, allergic and recurrent infections, insect bites, blisters and provides relief from poison ivy, oak or sumac.

What You Need

• Bathtub
• Himalayan Pink Salt (to make a 1 % Solution = about 1 ½ lbs. per bath, any grain size) http://www.saltworks.us/himalayan-salt.asp
• Moon Phase Calendar
• Candle
• Glass of Water (to drink)

Tips

• Dry Brushing before hand loosens dead skin cells, increases circulation and opens pores to intensify detoxification
• The correct concentration of salt is critical to maintain 1% solution (about 2.6 lbs. per 27-32 gallons of water in a full, average-sized bathtub). I buy 5 lb. bulk bags and estimate about 1/2 the bag
• You can use any salt grain size. If you purchase fine grain, it dissolves faster and you can also use it for cooking if needed
• Light a candle – combining energies like fire, water, earth and air can be spiritually cleansing
• Drinking a glass of water is helpful in releasing toxins during the bath

Instructions

1. Shower first, to avoid using bath additives like soap, shampoo, conditioner or shaving cream in your Salt Bath
2. Fill tub with about 3 inches of hot water
3. Add Himalayan Pink Salt and stir until dissolved
4. Finish filling tub with very warm, but not hot water (about 98.6° Fahrenheit)
5. Submerge as much of your body as possible and soak for at least 20-30 minutes.
6. Sip your glass of water until finished!
7. Don’t rinse off!
8. Allow skin to air-dry or gently pat dry
9. Skip the moisturizer – let your skin breathe
10. Rinse tub
11. 11. Rest for 30 minutes
12. * Consult a physician if you have heart or circulatory problems. Himalayan Salt Baths can be a little taxing on your circulatory system and may cause slight dizziness afterwards.

Interesting Facts

• Sole bath water will remain at a constant temperature if a true, 1% solution is used. The biophysical composition of the salt solution is so strong, that it actually causes the molecules to move in a constant rhythm. When this happens, organ functions begin to resonate with the rhythm – activating the body’s self-healing powers.
• The temperature and ionic makeup of the brine bath is comparable to that of the amniotic fluid in the prenatal state… providing warmth, comfort and safety. This is often the same reason why we’re so drawn to the ocean – the negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase serotonin, alleviate depression, relieve stress and boost energy.
• Salt is a disinfectant; several people can actually share the same Sole baths, which is common in thalassotherapy spas around the world.

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