The body wrap produces therapeutic and cosmetic benefits by cleansing the body of toxins and reducing inches. Body wraps are great for anyone who wants to improve, tone and tighten the look and texture of their skin, including people with loose skin from weight loss or pregnancy. Also those who experience joint pain and inflammation will benefit from the therapeutic effects of body wraps.
A simple wrap can be a mixture of a clay and some natural sea salt. To the simple wrap you can add more complex ingredients such as herbs and up to 2 tablespoons of an essential oil.
Sample of essential oils
Lavender, sage, lemon, sandlewood, lemongrass, rosemary, grapefruit, olive oil
Sample of herbs
Alfalfa leaf powder, ground basil, chamomile flower powder, rose petal powder, rosehip powder
Clay Body Wrap Recipe
1 cup bentonite or green clay
1/4 cup sea salt
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups water
Boil water and add sea salt until it is dissolved. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Adjust the water if necessary to form a wet paste.
Rub the mixture over your entire body and cover yourself with thin towels or a clean white sheet. Most salons will recommend that you use proper wrapping sheets as the compaction helps to squeeze the tissues together for greater results.
Lay in the tub for a minimum of 45 min. to one hour.
Body wrap session tips
Body wraps are messy and in my opinion, the best place to take the wrap is in the bath tub.
It can also be boring laying in the tub and staring at the ceiling for 45 min. To help make the time go by faster, you can listen to your favorite music on a walkman or bring in a portable television.
Take a warm shower before applying the wrap to open the pores.
Drink lots of water both before and after your wrap to help flush out toxins.
You can cover yourself with an inexpensive foil thermal blanket to keep warm.
Try to avoid caffeine, sugar, fried fatty foods, soda drinks and alcohol for the next 48 hours.
Epsom salts for detox
Another simple way to draw toxins out of the body is to take a hot epsom salt bath. Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin, according to Naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells. When magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) is absorbed through the skin in a bath, it helps to draw toxins from the body, reduce swelling and relax muscles.
Epsom salts are named for the mineral rich waters of Epsom, England, where they were known at least as far back as Shakespeare’s day.
Epsom Salt Detox Bath Recipe
1 cup epsom salts
handful of sea salt
2 tablespoons of bath oil
Pour the ingredients into the tub while the tub is filling.
Caution: Do not take hot baths if you have high blood pressure, heart, diabetic or kidney troubles.
Epsom Salt Scrub Recipe
Massage a handful of epsom salts, mixed with 1 tablespoon of bath oil or olive oil, over wet skin to cleanse, exfoliate and soften the rough spots. Rinse well.