How To Get Rid Of The Flu Fast: Detox Bath
How to get rid of the flu fast, that’s always a question I search when I feel like I’m getting sick. There’s never really a clear answer. Thursday I began to show some minor flu symptoms: a headache, body aches and just not feeling 100%. Then Saturday came, and I felt like I was knocking on death’s door. It was time to try a detox bath.
I had big shopping plans on Sunday and didn’t have time to milk the flu so I took matters into my own hands and made a DIY Detox Bath. I originally got the idea from The DIY Guinea Pig, but changed up the measurements and added sea salt (I read somewhere that it’s good to add sea salt to detox baths).
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A detox bath is simple to create and you probably have the ingredients you need around the house. Mix together and you’ll be easing your symptoms in no time.
Don’t forget to try these natural sore throat remedies.
Detox Bath Recipe
- 1-2 cups of Epsom salts
- 1 cup Baking soda
- 2 tbsps powdered ginger (I’m sure ginger root would be best, but I was sick. I was not going to be chopping anything.)
- 1/2 cup sea salt (optional)
Draw your bath as hot as you can stand it. Pour ingredients into the bath and soak for 40 minutes. They say the first 20 minutes is to detoxify and the last 20 is so your skin can absorb the minerals. You should be having a good sweat at this time, be sure to hydrate during your bath. I drank two glasses before, one during and two after.
When you get out of the tub, do so slowly. You are more than likely light headed at this time. Dry off and wrap yourself in a towel and cover in a robe. I took it a step further cuddled up on the couch with a blanket. You will feel very warm for at least an hour afterward. You want to keep sweating it out!
Randa’s Tip: DO NOT apply lotion or anything on your skin after and don’t eat immediately after. Give yourself that hour to let your body do its thing.
Can Pregnant Women Have a Detox Baths?
I am not a doctor so I cannot give medical advice, it’s always best to check with your physician beforehand. I do not recommend doing this if you are pregnant.
What Does a Detox Bath Do For Your Body?
I honestly don’t care for the word “detox” since your body naturally detoxifies yourself. However, in my experience, a detox bath will help rid your body of toxins. I tend to sweat more with these epsom salt baths and they also ease my sore and achy muscles. This eases your flu symptoms and makes you feel better.
Detox Bath
I felt much better after doing the detox bath, not 100% but well enough to have pizza for dinner and to participate in a 12 hour shopping day on Sunday.
If you like this then you’ll love these 5 Easy DIY Detox Baths, the no pain one sounds like it’s a keeper.
Recipes For When You’re Sick
I’m one of those people that when I’m sick, I eat more! I know I’m not the only one out there so I wanted to share a few things I like to eat when I’m not feeling that well.
- Healing Turkey Soup – I usually make a bunch of turkey or chicken soup and freeze it. That way when I am feeling under the weather, I just have to toss it in the microwave.
- Pineapple Popsicles
- Berry Beet Popsicles
- Gelatin Cups
- Tropical Power Smoothie
Healthy soup, lots of fluids, and a detox bath are a great combination to ease your symptoms and help your body get rid of the flu fast. Let your body do its thing and relax while you can. You’ll be back to the grind soon enough.
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Epsom Salt Baths
If baths relax you (which they should, they’re on my list of 11 self care examples) here are a few Epsom salt bath recipes.
Easing Muscle Aches & DOMS (Leg Day Saver)
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Oh thanks, so many people have been getting the flu this year. I am sure lots of people could use a nice hot bath like this!
The 5 glasses of water may have done more than the bath.
I’m going to keep this on hand in case we get the flu here. Thanks!
It’s also a great way to detoxify your skin (my skin was super soft after), relieve sore muscles and aid in weight loss.
This sounds great and must be great for aches. Never thought of epsom salts for the flu! Glad you felt better!
Thanks for the tip! I’d never heard of (or thought of!) detoxing with the flu. I love blogs because I learn so much.
Hopefully you are feeling better now and that you were able to reschedule your shopping expedition!
Didn’t reschedule, pushed through lol!
I’m a HUGE bath lover and am def going to use this!!!
Enjoy it! Next time I’m going to use essential oils to help with the medicated odor that I experienced.
Randa: I just pinned this and tweeted it. This is brilliant, especially if it works. Thanks so much. I will gather the ingredients for the next time we start feeling this crummy.
Thanks Paula! It really helps, if you use real ginger put it in a tea infuser for easy clean up.
Thanks! Flu season just seems to be extending and extending… Maybe it’s the super viruses going around. I’m an expert on cleansing and detoxing, and baths are one of my favorite detoxes. Besides baths, you can also drink 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 6 ounce of water 3x a day before or during the flu. This will help knock out the bug. http://www.amazon.com/Detox-Diet-Super-Cleanse-ebook/dp/B006Y4029K
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Do you have to use epsom salts? what about sea salt?
Epsom salts have detox properties, they also help with muscle aches.
What a great post – so interesting. I always take a bath in Epsom Salts when I am sick but never thought to add other elements to the water. I will definitely try this next time a family member gets sick.
I did find my heart rate was really elevated, so maybe not for the little kids.
I did too! It scared me. I wonder if others had the same?
It’s the heat. At least it was for me. I have PSVT so my heart rate climbs very fast, very quickly.
Oh wow! I might just have to give this a try! Thanks 🙂
Epson salts are great for many things. I never knew this combo was good for detoxing. Cool!
That sounds heavenly!! Do you have any tips for a reoccurant sinus infection. I’m so tired of taking drugs that don’t work. Heck I might just try this to see if it helps!
Hmmm…maybe some eucalyptus and tea tree oil? Boil some water, drop the oils in and drape a towel over your head while your steam your face?
We have been a big believer in Epsom salt baths for years, except we use 1 cup for each bath. It’s great for sore muscles and colds too. We have a huge glass jar full of Epson salt in our bathrrom so that it’s there all the time! It’s a great natural way get the toxins out of your body! Thanks for sharing!
I used this bath recipe for my 6 year today, who is sick with the flu. It worked amazingly. It was the only thing that has brought her fever down in a couple of days. So, my question is, how often can she do this?
I’m not too sure Jodi, I do something similar almost daily (no ginger added) as Epsom salts can take out toxins. Maybe just once a day and make sure she has a lot of water? I only did it once while I was sick, and then I was better. It makes you sweat, I think that’s the key. So I just recommend lots of fluids to keep her hydrated with the bath.
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Kathy Irey, since I’ve had 2 knee replacement and a hip I’m unable to get in or out of a bath tub any other way I can get the detox going.
I would just recommend popping Vitamin C and having hot showers to raise your temperature to get the white blood cells going. Maybe make a sugar scrub with some ginger?
Hmmm, going to have to remember this one, thanks for sharing!!
wow i gotta write this down and remember it for next time Hubby or i get the flu , the flu bug is awful 😕 thanks for sharing 🙂
This is interesting and I am pinning this to my pintrest board to have for future reference!! Great info and will definitely use IF I ever get the flu~~
this is so great! Just wanted to add a note about the ginger. I use ginger root all the time and find its best if you keep it in the freezer and when you want to use it just start off peeling the end a bit and you can then just grate it into your detox mixture, don’t worry too much about the skin because it’s not being eaten 🙂
I do this trick as well when I have fresh ginger for cooking. So much easier to grate it!
Hi! I’m wondering if we are supposed to pour the whole thing into the bath or divided up into jars? Also have you tried essential oils in to help? I havc On-Guard, lavender, melaluca, grapfruit, and lemon oils.
Hi jess,
I pour the whole thing in. Yes I do use EO’s every so often in the tub. I’ve done the lavender, on-gaurd and balance.
I’ve used epsom salts but none of the other stuff. I love baths whether I’m sick or not. My children are sick now. I bet this would make them feel great. Thanks for the step-by-step! Pinned and shared on google.
Amazing! I tried this after going to the doctor and was confirmed to have Influenza A. I rested for the remainder of the day, slept great that night, and woke up feeling so much better but still slightly feverish the next morning.
I’m glad you felt better 🙂 It’s definitely not a cure as the body needs to do it’s thing but this helps 🙂
Trying this today. I feel like I got hit by a bus.
Feel better Lisa! I hope this helps you!
What ages would you recommend this? I have a 4 month old down with the flu.
I wouldn’t do it with a baby. Just a nice and comfy bath with just water for little ones (unless they have a fever, I was told to not give a warm bath with a fever).
I tried this the other night when I started feeling like I was coming down with the flu. My throat started to hurt and my body ached. I took this bath and YES it worked! I used the ginger root and I was sweating about 5 minutes into the bath. I felt so much better the next day. The body aches went away. Thank you so much!
Yes! That is SO awesome to hear 🙂 I’m happy you’re feeling better. I’m coming down with something and doing this later this afternoon <3
This has been a blessing for my entire family! Thank you so much for sharing this! I share it with anyone who will listen . . . Works like a charm!
Tabi your comment made my day! Thank you!
Well, I really need this right now. My daughter brought something home this weekend! Came over from Lou Lou Girls link party. 🙂
Oh no! Feel better soon!
Thank you for sharing this information with us at Funtastic Friday!
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How often can I do this? Im heading into finals and need to kick the flu!
I’m not a doctor, so I’m not sure….but I only did it once. Maybe every second day?
Good luck on your finals!
Did you feel achy during and after doing this? Is that normal?
Hey Rachel,
No I didn’t. That very well could be the flu aches 🙂 Feel better!
I need this today! If you use raw ginger – how much would you use?
Hmmm, I’m not sure I’d probably just cut off a chunk? Roughly an inch? Feel better!
I’m happy you felt better but I do have a comment/question. You say you would not do this detox bath to a baby. Did you discuss taking this bath with your OB doctor? Not sure how safe this is for pregnancy. I’m a nurse-not an OB./GYN nurse though. PLEASE discuss this with your doctor about taking baths as hot as you can stand with the ingredients you used. Better safe than sorry.
Hey Vickie,
I wouldn’t do it while pregnant either (which is a shame because I have had a flu and a head cold for WEEKS).
Hi Randa
Just read your remedy for detox bath going to it tonight , According to my doc I’m having tamiflu and he gave me tamiflu med which has 2 pages of side effets .Also I never been sick by last 12 years with help of goid food/ workout/ meditation , slowly I walked away from my healthy life style and there it is I visit a doctor think I’m having flu.I respect doctors but also know big industry of drugs need be supported by doctors.thank you so much for your brilliant remedy .
Hey Zora!
I have never been offered Tamiflu before, but from those I know who have taken it – it does help so at least you have the script. This is not a cure for the flu, but it does help with some of the symptoms 🙂 Feel better!
Today is day 6 that I have been down and out with unconfirmed flu. Fever, bodyachez, coughing and sneezing with weakness and lethargy. I found your recipe for the detox bath and it works! After my bath I did feel more weak, but followed your suggestions and by evening I was remarkably better. I ended up vomiting and we wondered if that was how toxins were expelled. At any rate I was able to accomplish a few tasks and felt a lot better later in the day. Thank you for this recipe. It feels good to feel good again!
I’m glad you’re on the upswing!
When you say to put a scoop, approximately how many tablespoons?
I’m searching this post for the word scoop, but I can’t find it? What party Janice?
OK so I have the flu and I just came across this. I’m going to try it out and be honest with my outcome. Fever 103, chills, body is aching soooo bad. We will see.
Do you have to use a carrier oil when you use essential oils in the bath?
Hey Ryan,
I don’t. One of my friend’s who is big into oils told me that if you mix epsoms it helps … but you have to be careful with “hot oils” (like oregano). For this mix, you’re all good 🙂