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You are here:Home » Blog » Wellness » Healthy Kids » 7 Cold Busting Detox Bath Recipes for Kids
- Raina Cordell
- 24 Comments
- November 9, 2018
- This post may contain affiliate links
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 bodyand 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.
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 saltand 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, improvesinus health, prevent muscle cramping, boostbone health, regulate sleep, and improvevascular 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!
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Raina Cordell
I'm Raina, co-founder of hol FAMILY with my hubby, David. Mama to three children who make me smile every day. RN turned Holistic Nutritionist, Health Coach, and lover of all things natural. I'm passionate about living a holistic lifestyle full of joy, simplicity, and balance.
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24 thoughts on “7 Cold Busting Detox Bath Recipes for Kids”
Tried the bentonite clay detox bath… Didn’t like it so much. The clay definitely didn’t dissolve.
Reply
Hi Jasmine, glad that you gave one of the detox bath recipes a try! Bentonite clay won’t dissolve in water like most of the other ingredients will, but it is a powerhouse when it comes to detoxification. My personal favourite is the chamomile tea bath! Hopefully you will like that one better!
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For children under 60 lbs, fo you recommend not using the Epsom salts at all? Or simply cutting the recipe in half for them?
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Hi Hannah, the recipes listed are designed for little ones under 60 lbs. I give the measurements for those over 60 lbs in brackets. Epsom salts are definitely safe to use in children. Hope that helps!
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Hi,
Epsom salt, is a salt, as the name says as it is made up of a metal and non-metal, magnesium and sulfur, as you yourself stated. No, it’s not table salt, but table salt is literally only one type of salt
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Thank you for pointing that out. In my initial research, epsom salts were described as not being a salt…but I dug a little deeper. I have updated the post with the correct information.
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How often can you give detox baths?
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When our kids are sick, we do them nightly. Otherwise, we like to do them once a week.
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What if I don’t have chamomile essential oil?
Any other calming oils can be used.
is the detox salt safe for6 month old babies?
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Hi Daniela, I have safely used these recipes with my babies as young as 6 months old. If you would like to be extra cautious, I recommend cutting the recipe in half for your baby. Hope that helps!
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Can u put these in Mason jars to use for later
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Hi Rebecca, yes you can definitely store these for later use! 🙂
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Hi Reina I like to know what is the best way to dissolve clay for the bentonite detox bath ?
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Hi Mila, bentonite clay will never “fully” dissolve the same way that magnesium and baking soda will. You will still get the same benefits, but I like to mix it with the hottest water possible, adding it first. Stir well and it will disperse. Then wait until it has cooled slightly to get into the bath and stir again.
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Hi! I have been using your bath recipes for quite a while now. They are great! I was wondering if it would be counteractive to use the clay and the chamomile along with the essential oils. I’m looking to decongest, detox and relax my grandsons.
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Hi Laurie, that’s a great question! No, it wouldn’t be counterproductive at all! Detox baths are a great way to accomplish all three. 🙂
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Hi Raina, can I put 1 drop of frankincense essential oil in my 20lb baby’s bath? Thanks!
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Yes, 1 drop would be fine!
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Is there something I can use other than Epsom salt? It makes my little one itch like crazy.
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You can try just magnesium flakes. The difference is that they are magnesium chloride, not magnesium sulfate which is what is in Epsom salts.
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Hello!
My whole family has delved into the world of essential oils and crystals as a safe way to heal and maintain health- Combined with other herbs and the rare occasional OTC med. I am not willing to put my family’s health in jeopardy which is why I have a hard time researching because I cant always guarantee my research comes to the greatest conclusion. Do you have any advice for researching different subjects and general question things I should be looking for or things to avoid? And my family right now is a Doterra family and I cannot afford it. What made you come to the conclusion that Plant therapy was a safe and reliable oil company as well? Thank you!
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Hi Rachel, great question! It sounds like you are very attentive to youf families needs and how to use natural means to help support health. I loved the quality of doTERRA’s products (and still do), but the cost and MLM nature of the company ultimately made me decide to stop selling with them. Plant Therapy has a lot of longevity and is a family owned and operated company. They share the same high quality standards and do third-party testing too. They also offer organic and kid safe oils, which doTERRA currently doesn’t. AND, they are affordable!
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