How to Do a Foot Detox
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Medically reviewed by Danielle McNeil, D.P.M
A foot detox involves soaking your feet in an ionic bath to help remove toxins from the body. It is thought that along with eliminating toxins, a foot detox can also help to enhance blood circulation and relieve aches and pains throughout the body.
Foot detoxes can also be performed using foot masks, scrubs, pads, and acupressure. This article discusses the benefits of a foot detox and recipes you can try at home.
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Possible Benefits of Foot Detoxes
There are many alleged health benefits associated with a foot detox, including:
Removing toxins
Reducing swelling
Improving stress levels and mood
Weight management
Aiding in good heart health and blood circulation
Relieving aches and pains
Balancing pH levels in the body
Destroying potentially harmful pathogens and microorganisms
Unfortunately, most reports surrounding the benefits of foot detoxes are anecdotal and not backed by research investigating whether the health claims are scientifically accurate. One study performed in 2012 found that foot detoxes do not live up to the hype and cannot help remove toxins from the body.
That said, other research surrounding foot baths and massages shows that they could help reduce symptoms of mood disorders such as schizophrenia because of the relaxing effect they have.
How Is an Ionic Foot Bath Supposed to Work?
Ionic foot baths work by combining water with charged particles known as ions. The ions create a field that is designed to cleanse or purify. The water molecules are separated when these charged particles are mixed with water. The ions are then said to pull toxins through the bottom of the feet. However, no research has found these claims to be valid.
Related: Causes of Foot Pain and Treatment Options
Ways to Remove Toxins From the Body
According to current scientific research, you cannot pull toxins out of the body through the feet.
Toxins are filtered out of the body in a variety of ways. When you breathe out, you expel carbon dioxide from the body. Another way is through the body's natural processes. Specific organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and lymph nodes, filter and remove harmful and unneeded substances.
The health claims surrounding toxin removal through the feet are currently deemed insubstantial because no evidence supports the effectiveness of foot detoxes. People who have performed foot detoxes on themselves may say otherwise because of how the process changes the color of the water. However, that anecdotal evidence is not based on science. Water tested after foot detoxes have not detected any toxins.
Why Does the Water Change Color After a Foot Detox?
The change in water color during a foot detox is often attributed to toxin removal. However, it is more likely due to dirt or sweat on the feet before putting them in the bath, or it can be due to salts or other products added to the water that cause the color to change. Using tap water can also encourage a color change in the water.
Foot Detox Recipes
While foot detoxes may not remove toxins from your body, they can be an enjoyable experience that can help soften your feet, be relaxing, and offer relief for certain foot ailments.
They are also generally safe for most people, so even if they don’t do what many claim they do, they could still be an excellent addition to your self-care routine.
Aside from store-bought products, such as IonCleanse, some of the most commonly used natural foot detox recipes include the following.
Epsom Salts Foot Bath
Combining Epsom salts with warm water and soaking your feet for 20–30 minutes can help promote relaxation. While there is no evidence to suggest bathing in Epsom salts can help remove toxins, research has shown they may help reduce pain associated with diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain in the legs due to diabetes) as well as fatigue associated with chemotherapy.
Related: Can Foot Pain Be a Symptom of Diabetes?
Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Bath
Apple cider vinegar foot baths are made by diluting 1 cup of vinegar in a foot bath full of warm water and soaking your feet for 20–30 minutes. While some anecdotal evidence supports the use of apple cider vinegar in foot baths, limited research is available to confirm the health claims.
The studies that have been done have come to the opposite conclusion, that bathing your feet in apple cider vinegar and water can irritate the skin, causing more harm than good.
Baking Soda and Sea Salt Bath
Combine sea salt with baking soda and dissolve in a foot bath to make this foot detox recipe. You can soak your feet for up to 30 minutes.
While research is scarce regarding this type of foot bath, some evidence supports the health benefits associated with bathing in sea salt and found that it can help to:
Enhance the hydration of the skin
Improve the skin barrier function
Reduce inflammation in skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis
Are Foot Baths for Everyone?
While generally considered safe, foot baths should be avoided if any of the following apply:
You are pregnant.
You have a pacemaker or any electrical implant within the body.
You have open sores on your feet that could be irritated by salt and other foot bath ingredients.
Always speak to a healthcare provider before trying any new health approach to be safe.
Related: Home Remedies for Nerve Pain in Feet
Summary
A foot detox bath may sound like a good idea. However, the limited evidence suggests that it does not work in the way that many people claim. Your body has organs and other systems in place to help filter out toxins, and there is currently no evidence to support that they can be pulled from your feet using an ionic foot bath.
Because of that, performing these types of foot baths will not remove toxins. That said, they can provide other benefits, such as relaxation and lower stress levels, enhancing the health and hydration of the skin, and reducing inflammation in people with skin disorders. Foot detoxes generally are safe, but you should always speak to your healthcare provider before trying anything new.
