There is only one thing worse than waking up with the classic runny nose, sore throat, body aches, and chills that come with the classic cold…if you are a parent (or have ever been around sick children), you know exactly what I am about to say! The only thing worse than having a cold yourself is when your kids get sick too!
Unlike most families who run to the closest pharmacy for Tylenol, decongestants, and lozenges at the first sign of illness, our family uses natural remedies for helping to combat those nasty bugs. Instead, we use essential oils, herbs, teas, bone broth, homemade rubs, and my all-time favorite…detox baths!
Detox baths are amazing for kicking colds quickly because they simultaneously remove toxins (like viruses) from the body and provide powerful minerals that strengthen the immune system. As an added bonus, detox baths are super relaxing and also help your sick little ones to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer! (Just in case you’re wondering, these detox baths work great on adults too!)
It is best if kids can soak for up to 40 minutes to get the best results from a detox bath. The first 20 minutes are when the bath is drawing out toxins from the body, and the last 20 minutes are when the important minerals are being absorbed through the skin. Add some fun bath toys, measuring cups and funnels, or bath crayons, and you’ll have no trouble keeping your little ones in the bath for the entire 40 minutes.
7 Cold Busting Detox Bath Recipes for Kids
Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom Salts are a type of salt, although unrelated to table salt despite the name. Instead, they are a natural mineral compound made up of magnesium and sulfur, both of which are easily absorbed through the skin.
Magnesium plays an extremely important role in the body, acting as a cofactor for over 300 enzymes regulating things like energy production, bone health, blood sugar, muscle and nerve function, blood pressure, heart rhythm, and more. (1)
Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in the human body and is antibacterial. Sulfur has many therapeutic uses including allergies, pain and inflammation, bladder disorders, depression, diabetes, and many more. (2)
I always recommend running your bath water through a high-quality shower filter, but if you do not have this then add either 1 tsp of vitamin C powder (also immune-boosting) or 1/4 cup of baking soda to neutralize the chlorine and other harmful elements.
Essential oils are one of the key ingredients in a detox bath because they are antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, calming, beneficial for skin health, and so much more. High-quality essential oils are a must, especially for children.
Recipe
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt (for children over 60 lbs or adults use 1 cup)
- 1 tsp vitamin C or 1/4 cup baking soda
- 3 drops of essential oils (lavender, lemon, wild orange, frankincense, or rosemary)
Bentonite Clay Bath
Your little ones will love learning that they get to take a bath in volcanic ash! Bentonite clay is like a superhero detoxifier that has been shown to bind to toxins in the body thanks to its negative ionic charge. (3)
Bentonite clay is also a powerhouse of minerals including potassium, calcium, copper, iron, and zinc. (4) Combined with Epsom salt, this bath will draw out all of the toxins in your little one’s body and boost them up with an array of essential minerals.
Recipe
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt (for children over 60 lbs or adults use 1 cup)
- 1/4 cup bentonite clay (for children over 60 lbs or adults use 1/2 cup)
- 3 drops of essential oils (lavender, lemon, wild orange, frankincense, or rosemary)
Salt Bath
Sea salt and Himalayan salt have numerous benefits and are far superior to standard table salt. These salts are able to regulate the water content in the body and help to promote a healthy cellular pH balance (particularly in the brain cells).
They can also help to support respiratory health, improve sinus health, prevent muscle cramping, boost bone health, regulate sleep, and improve vascular health. (5)
In this recipe, sea salt or Himalayan salt is combined with Epsom salt and baking soda for the ultimate mineral-rich, nourishing detox bath.
Recipe
- 1/4 cup sea salt or Himalayan salt
- 1/4 cup Epsom salt
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 3 drops of essential oils (lavender, lemon, wild orange, frankincense, or rosemary)
Coconut Oil Bath
Coconut oil is naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, very moisturizing and even great for skin conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis. (6, 7) This makes coconut oil the perfect addition to any detox bath.
Children often experience skin rashes, eczema, and dermatitis, and coconut oil is the best all-natural remedy. It also makes a great carrier oil for applying essential oils!
I love adding coconut oil to my little one’s bath and feeling how silky and smooth their skin is after this moisture-rich experience. I prefer to use liquid coconut oil to make it easier to measure and add, but solid coconut oil can also be used if the bathwater is warm enough to melt it.
Recipe
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt (for children over 60 lbs or adults use 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1 tsp vitamin C or 1/4 cup baking soda
- 3 drops of essential oils (lavender, lemon, wild orange, frankincense, or rosemary)
Honey Bath
You may think honey would be too sticky to use in a bath, but amazingly, when you add it to hot water it melts completely and you hardly even realize it is there (other than the amazing smell). Kids especially love the sweet aroma this bath provides and I always let them have a small spoonful too (since honey can be amazing for helping with a sore throat or cough).
Honey is a great addition to detox baths because it is naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants, and great for improving skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. (8, 9)
Recipe
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt (for children over 60 lbs or adults use 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup organic honey
- 1 tsp vitamin C or 1/4 cup baking soda
- 3 drops of essential oils (lavender, lemon, wild orange, frankincense, or rosemary)
Coconut Milk Bath
You may have heard of Cleopatra’s famous milk baths or perhaps you’ve given your baby a milk bath to help with cradle cap, eczema, or to relieve the itch from bug bites or chickenpox. While milk baths can be very soothing to the skin, many children (and adults) have milk allergies and sensitivities making these baths more harmful than helpful.
Coconut milk can be a great non-dairy alternative to milk and is equally as nourishing to the skin. Rich in healthy fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, coconut milk is a welcomed addition to any detox bath.
Recipe
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt (for children over 60 lbs or adults use 1 cup)
- 1 can organic coconut milk
- 1 tsp vitamin C or 1/4 cup baking soda
- 3 drops of essential oils (lavender, lemon, wild orange, frankincense, or rosemary)
Chamomile Tea Bath
I saved the best recipe for last! This ultra-soothing and calming chamomile tea bath will be your secret weapon when it comes to helping your sick little ones calm their bodies and sleep. Every time I do this detox bath with my own kiddos, they sleep soundly all the way until the next morning and wake up feeling a million times better.
Chamomile is an herb most often used in teas, but it also has some amazing benefits for the skin. Naturally high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and soothing to the skin, chamomile makes a wonderful addition to any bath. Chamomile is also known for its calming abilities, and some research has shown that it may even help to relieve cold symptoms. (10)
Recipe
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt (for children over 60 lbs or adults use 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile, 2 chamomile tea bags, or 2 cups of brewed chamomile tea
- 1 tsp vitamin C or 1/4 cup baking soda
- 3 drops of chamomile essential oil
Detox Bath Notes:
- The warmer the water, the better for enabling the body to fully detox
- Detox baths can be dehydrating so encourage children to drink extra fluids before and after bathing
- Soak for up to 40 minutes to get the best results from a detox bath
- Recipe amounts can be doubled for use by adults
- Essential oils are optional but do enhance the therapeutic effects of the bath
- For a fun and easy way to get your little one to take a detox bath, try this recipe for DIY detox bath bombs for kids
Have you tried one of these detox bath recipes with your kids? Leave us a comment below and let us know which one you tried!
