How To Make A Detox Bath For Kids To Boost The Immune System

A detox bath for kids is a great way to help your little ones feel better when they’re fighting off a sore throat from a cold, have a stuffy nose, or just a general feeling of being under the weather.

A detox bath for kids is more effective than just a standard warm bath as the added vitamins, oils and minerals help revitalize the body and draw out all of those nasty toxins.

The end result will have your kiddos feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

The main reason some parents are starting to use this method is because it’s a more natural way of helping treat colds or post-workout muscle soreness.

Normally, you’d only see adults using these spa-like treatments to promote wellness, but if you curate the ingredients yourself rather than buying store-bought detox baths, you’ll be able to adjust them to be child-safe.

While the detox baths available in your local stores, or Amazon, are likely to be safe for both adults and children, there are some essential oils and other ingredients that aren’t meant to be used with kids and their sensitive skins due to potential irritation and other side effects.

Putting together a detox bath for kids at home is actually rather simple.

All you really need is a cup of epsom salt mixed with some beneficial minerals and oils, and you will have a much cheaper, but no less effective, version of whatever product you would have bought otherwise.

While it might require a bit more effort on your part, it’s a lot easier on the budget and you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment once you see the fruits of your labor.

Thankfully, I have some experience when it comes to detox baths, as I’ve made several for my own kids when they were suffering from nasty colds or to help them recover after a particularly spirited day of physical activity.

I have made this guide to help you find the best ingredients, along with a few simple recipes that worked for my own little rascals.

10 Key Ingredients For A Detox Bath For Kids

Before you get the hot water running, you’ll need some of the following ingredients to create the perfect detoxifying bath for your kiddo!

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is one of those magical ingredients that can help with a dozen different ailments, including skin conditions like rashes and urinary tract infections.

It’s actually a common remedy for diaper rash, so be sure to stock up on sodium bicarbonate if one of your kids is still in diapers!

It also soothes the itching caused by chickenpox and even provides relief from constipation.

What’s more, adding sodium bicarbonate to a bath can boost the immune system, which is just what your kid needs, especially during the flu season!

This brand of baking soda in particular is food-grade and multi-use.

You can even use it to fight gastrointestinal issues!

2. Dr. Teal’s Kids Gentle Epsom Salt Bath

Just like sodium bicarbonate, Epsom salt has plenty of health benefits.

New moms often add it to their postpartum care package as it helps with post-birth recovery, but how exactly does it work?

It contains sulfate and magnesium, two ingredients that encourage your body to detox, so an Epsom salt bath is excellent for kids.

More specifically, it’s great for the skin, especially for conditions such as eczema.

It helps with pain and swelling too, which explains its frequent use during the postpartum period.

The magnesium content in Epsom salt can act as a great stress reliever, so it’s a good way to soothe your kid at the end of a long day.

I recommend using Dr. Teal’s Kids Gentle Epsom Salt Bath because it’s specifically made for children and doesn’t contain any dyes, parabens, or phthalates.

It’s also hypoallergenic as an added bonus.

As well as magnesium sulfate, it contains lavender, which helps your kiddos wind down at bath time and get them off to sleep.

It’s suitable for kids over the age of three.

3. Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother

Apple Cider Vinegar, or ACV for short, can be used for much more than just salads!

Adding ACV to bathwater relieves the symptoms of eczema and has immune-boosting properties.

This Dynamic Health vinegar contains ‘The Mother’, which is a substance that can improve your overall health, especially the immune system, so always go with brands that include it.

It’s also free from GMOs.

Some people use it as a shampoo and even as a skin toner, making it one of the best remedies for a variety of conditions.

4. Plant Therapy Calcium Bentonite Clay

This is another ingredient that can be used for multiple purposes.

It’s often used as a face mask for the treatment of acne, for example, although people with sensitive skin should use it sparingly.

In baths, bentonite clay works to remove heavy metals such as lead, which makes it an excellent ingredient for a detox bath for kids.

Keep in mind that this particular brand of bentonite clay should not be ingested.

5. Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes

A great alternative to Epsom salt, magnesium flakes can also be used to give your kids a detoxifying and relaxing bath.

Ancient Minerals magnesium flakes are gentle enough for the sensitive skin of kids, so you can’t go wrong with this brand!

Parents love how a magnesium bath can help their kids sleep soundly all through the night, even when they’re feeling cranky, so I wholeheartedly recommend it.

6. Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil

Now we’re moving into essential oil territory, which are safe for babies and kids as long as you know how to use them properly.

However, you must be sure to remember oils from plants such as eucalyptus and peppermint should never be used on kids.

The calming effects of lavender make it a perfect addition to baths, not to mention that it smells great too.

Plant Therapy oils are therapeutic-grade and safe for children (after being diluted) so feel free to add a few drops to your kid’s bath.

7. DoTerra Lemon Essential Oil

As a preventative measure against illness, I recommend adding a couple of drops of lemon essential oil to your kid’s bath.

DoTerra oils are some of the best around, and lemon can help with respiratory issues too.

I also find that it gives me a huge mood boost!

Add a few drops to an oil diffuser and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

8. Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

A few years ago, there was a real coconut oil boom – suddenly, everyone was using it to cook, make hair masks, or even as a facial moisturizer.

Although the craze has since died down, this doesn’t mean you can’t add a bit of coconut oil to a bath for your kids.

First off, it smells heavenly.

Secondly, it’s great for the skin (it can even treat diaper rash) and is a great moisturizer.

Coconut oil can also be used for the dilution of essential oils.

I always find it useful to have a jar in the pantry because it’s a good replacement for vegetable oil too – it’s the definition of multi-purpose!

9. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile is another natural remedy for a multitude of conditions, including teething .

With its anti-inflammatory and calming properties, it’s a great ingredient for a detox bath for kids.

The Plant Therapy oil I recommended above is safe for kids, especially at bedtime if you find your little ones are too energetic to go to sleep.

The soothing effects of chamomile will send them straight off to dreamland!

10. Vitamin C Powder

I’m sure you’re well aware of how important vitamin C is for our bodies.

We get it by eating different fruits and vegetables, but also from vitamin supplements.

In powder form, vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) can be added to bath water for the neutralization of chlorine, which is a chemical added to water to kill viruses and bacteria.

To reduce the harmful effects of chlorine, add a teaspoon of ascorbic acid to a bathtub filled with water and wait a few minutes.

This vitamin C powder can be added to food as well, making it a great multi-purpose option.

DIY Detox Bath Recipes

1. The base

All Detox baths for kids are going to have the same base, which usually consists of:

• 1/2-1 tablespoon of epsom salts for babies, and up to 2 for older kids.

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda for babies, and up to 1/2 a cup for older children.

• 1/2 a tablespoon of bentonite clay for infant baths, and up to 1 tablespoon for older kids.

2. The additives

The other ingredients depend on the type of discomfort your kids are suffering from.

The additives I recommend are as follows:

• To help deal with constipation pains I recommend around 4 drops of some digestive blend.

• For dealing with colds or general congestion from sinus infections, I’d add around 4 drops of lemon oil into the mix.

• If you’re just looking to give your kids’ immune system a bit of a boost, add around 4 drops of any protective blend to the base.

• If growing pains are causing your little ones discomfort, one or two drops of Marjoram essential oils should do the trick, but no more than that as it is quite potent.

• If you’re dealing with a fussy baby throwing a tantrum, 4 drops of chamomile or lavender essential oil will help soothe your child’s nerves and keep yours intact.

These are just some of the more common options, so feel free to experiment for different results as every child reacts differently to different things, just make sure not to include more than 2-3 ingredients and keep the dosages extremely low.

The Benefits Of A Detox Bath For Kids

Detoxing seems to be everywhere these days!

Celebrities are selling detox teas on social media, and simply googling detox diets yields hundreds of results recommending detoxification techniques.

As parents, we often worry that our kids are being exposed to all sorts of harmful chemicals, whether it be in the toys they’re playing with, the food they are eating, or even the air they breathe.

Luckily, our bodies have evolved to “flush out” toxins on their own – you can thank your liver and kidneys for that!

So, what kind of benefits can a detox bath have for your kids?

First off, it can help when your kid is sick.

The warm water eases congestion, makes breathing easier, and helps your kiddo feel better in general.

A detox bath can also soothe sore muscles, which are a common symptom of the flu.

A bath can also have a soothing effect on your kid’s nervous system, especially when she’s upset or too energetic to go to sleep.

This can become a part of your bedtime ritual and put an end to temper tantrums.

Certain oils and herbs can also ease painful and irritating symptoms of skin conditions.

Most importantly, baths are (usually) fun for kids.

Surrounded by their favorite toys, they can enjoy playing in the hot water while also getting the relief they need.

Keep in mind, however, that this is not medical advice.

Although natural remedies can be an excellent way to treat the common cold, for example, more serious illnesses always require medical attention.

In Conclusion

A detox bath is a great way to help your kids deal with various flu and cold symptoms, as well as relieve muscle soreness from those intense days in P.E. class.

While they’re a great way to put some pep back in your little one’s step, there are also some blends that are fantastic for helping calm them down in case you have a particularly rowdy child, or one that’s having trouble falling asleep.

Making your own blend also helps avoid having to buy any expensive lotions, creams and other “wonder cures” that people might suggest, which are likely just going to have a negative impact on your budget.

So, investing in a detox bath helps save a few bucks in the process.

That said, as with all forms of alternative medicine, I’d like to give an important disclaimer: what might work for some parents’ kids might be less effective with your own, or simply won’t work at all.

Your kid could also have an allergy to a potential ingredient, so make sure you have some alternative ingredients prepared if you’re adamant about introducing a detox bath to your child’s routine.

Read Next: A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Bathe A Baby Properly

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