The alkaline bath - i.e. bathing in strongly alkaline bath water - is a traditional spa and healing method. It helps to deacidify and is said to have a rejuvenating effect. Thanks to its many positive effects on the human body, alkaline bathing is not only popular with beauty junkies, but has also become a focus for health-conscious people of all ages. We'll show you how to make an alkaline bath yourself and what you need for the alkaline bath to work.
Table of contents
1. alkaline bath effect - effects for health & beauty
- An alkaline bath helps the body to eliminate acids so that it can relieve muscle pain, abdominal pain and joint pain.
- Due to its high magnesium content and its lipid-replenishing effect on the skin, it has proven effective for skin conditions such as psoriasis and neurodermatitis.
- The deacidification and purification of the body supports general well-being.
- The high mineral content is said to slow down the ageing process and provide other valuable beauty benefits.
2 How can the alkaline bath effect be explained?
A strongly alkaline bath is achieved by adding baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate), among other things. Baking soda is an alkaline compound that increases the pH value of the bath water. An alkaline bath then balances the different pH values of the skin and the bath water. The alkaline bath effect is therefore based on the principle of osmosis - the law of balance. The pH values are equalized when they differ on the two sides of a permeable membrane. Acid and alkali in the alkaline bath are thus balanced by osmosis and neutralized to form salts. The alkaline bath thus supports the excretory function of the skin.
3 How do you take an alkaline bath?
An alkaline bath is usually taken in the bath tub. However, in order to achieve the desired alkaline bath effect, there are a few points to bear in mind:
- The ideal pH value of an alkaline bath is approx. 8.5 (amniotic fluid has the same value, by the way) This value should be achieved with approx. 100g - 200g of baking soda per full bath (normal bathtub). You should buy test strips from the pharmacy to determine the exact value.
- If the tap water is heavily chlorinated, it is best to use filtered bath water (an integrated filter in the shower head would also be a possible solution).
- Make sure the bath water is at the right temperature - no hotter than 38 °C. It is better to run warm water again after a while.
- Due to the very long duration of the bath, entertainment, snacks and drinks are recommended during the bath. Drink enough!
- Sufficient bathing time: at least 20 minutes - the longer, the better
- Do not shower afterwards so that the sodium bicarbonate remaining on the skin can continue to have an effect. You should also not apply cream afterwards so as not to prevent the moisturizing effect.
4 How often can you take an alkaline bath?
We do not recommend taking an alkaline bath too often or for too long, especially at the beginning. The body first has to get used to the ritual. But how often should you take an alkaline bath? Experience and the purpose of the alkaline bath play a decisive role in finding the right answer to this question. The frequency of an alkaline bath differs, for example, depending on whether it is a wellness bath or an alkaline bath cure.
5 How long should an alkaline bath last?
The alkaline bath only starts to work after about 20 minutes, because only then does the so-called osmosis begin. For beginners, an alkaline bath with a maximum duration of one hour is recommended. Subsequently, the duration is gradually increased if the beginnings are inconspicuous. Alkaline baths can and should last up to several hours. The longer an alkaline bath lasts, the more acids are removed from the skin.
6. make your own alkaline bath - with baking soda and Epsom salt
You don't need expensive ready-made products to enjoy the positive effects of an alkaline bath. You can easily make your own alkaline bath at home - with baking soda and Epsom salt. Classic bath salts have hardly any effect on the pH value of the water. For this reason, the versatile household remedy baking soda is recommended. Baking soda is an alkaline compound that increases the pH value of the bath water. In addition, bicarbonate of soda provides the skin's own lipid replenishment and therefore makes the skin supple and smooth. Casida's sodium bicarbonate vitality powder is a wonderful alkaline bath additive and is also free from additives. Epsom salt is a naturally occurring, magnesium-rich mineral. The Epsom salt vitality bath from Casida in proven quality regenerates, nourishes and relaxes particularly intensively. The natural product is free from additives such as preservatives or artificial fragrances.
7. sources & further links
- Ploss, Oliver: 2017 "Modern practice of proven regulatory therapies. Detoxification and elimination, acid-base balance, intestinal cleansing" Haug Verlag. Print ISBN 9783132407916 · Online ISBN 9783132408098 To the reading sample on www.thieme-connect.de
Important note / disclaimer: As pharmacists, we share our pharmaceutical expertise and wealth of naturopathic experience in the Casida guide. An individual diagnosis and consultation is necessary in every case. Therefore, this offer cannot replace medical advice. It is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for medication or other treatments prescribed by a doctor.
