Methods of Detoxing the Body With a Sea Kelp Bath

Have you ever stood in the ocean and felt strands of sea kelp (seaweed) brush past your feet? Besides serving as a natural habitat for fish and other marine creatures, sea kelp contains vitamins and minerals that advocates say can detoxify the human body. Using sea kelp in baths may help you see these benefits at home.

Sea Kelp Bath Salts

• To help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, some nutritionists suggest replacing regular table salt with seaweed powder (other names are kombu and dulse flakes). You also can incorporate seaweed powder into homemade bath salts. Mix 1 cup of sea salt (or Epsom salt, if you prefer) with 1/2 cup seaweed powder (available at health foods stores and online). Optionally, you can add a few tablespoons of cornstarch to soothe the skin and a few drops of essential oil for aromatherapy. Blend with a fork or whisk until fully combined. Add about a 1/4 cup of the bath salts to warm bath water and let it dissolve before you soak in the tub.

Seaweed Baths

• Fill a muslin bag, bath teabag, loose tea infusion balls or other mesh material with dried seaweed. Boil water in a large pot, add the seaweed and steep for about 30 minutes. Pour this water and the seaweed bag into your bathtub as you fill it with warm water. You also can add fresh seaweed directly to your bath. Because it can clog pipes, remove it after your bath before you open the tub drain.

Seaweed Detox Wrap

• This recipe sounds like an expensive spa treatment, but it's cheap to make at home. Mix about 8 ounces of powdered seaweed with just enough hot water to form a paste. Apply the paste to various areas of your body, such as your thighs, legs and arms. Gently cover these areas with plastic wrap over the paste and then cover with a warm towel to let the seaweed minerals sink into your skin.

Sea Kelp Hair Treatment

• Daily blow drying, harsh sun and styling products can strip hair of its moisture. While you're relaxing in a seaweed bath, you also can apply a seaweed detox treatment to condition your hair. Boil two strips of dried kombu (Japanese seaweed) in 3/4 cups water until the seaweed becomes slippery. Remove the seaweed and massage it into your hair. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Warnings and Considerations

• Always test bath ingredients on a small area of skin first to ensure that you're not allergic. If you're pregnant or have any other health conditions, please consult a medical professional first before trying any alternative therapies. When making a seaweed body wrap, do not wrap the plastic wrap too tightly around the areas of your body.