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What are the Health Benefits of a Ginger Bath?

April S. Kenyon
April S. Kenyon

A ginger bath can contribute greatly to the overall health of an individual. Ginger has long been noted for its ability to lower blood pressure, relieve motion sickness and nausea, assist in digestion, and lower cholesterol. While these benefits are sometimes achieved through ingestion, a ginger bath can also accomplish many of these same health benefits. Additionally, it can relieve muscle spasms, injuries or conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. Hot baths with approximately a half cup (approximately 118.29 ml) freshly ground ginger, or a few drops of ginger oil, can also help relieve cold and flu symptoms, control body odor, and detoxify the body.

The primary benefit of a ginger bath is healthy detoxification. Ginger promotes sweating. When the body releases sweat, it is expelling harmful toxins that have accumulated. By prompting the body to sweat more profusely than normal, ginger helps release the poisons that are responsible for colds and other illnesses. In addition, the steam and aromas of the detoxifiction bath can open up nasal passages and relieve a stuffy nose, headaches, and dizziness.

A ginger bath can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and also aid in digestion.
A ginger bath can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and also aid in digestion.

Body odor is mainly caused by the toxins and other elements that are released in sweat. A detoxification bath allows the body to expel these elements so that the sweat glands are less active after the bath. Additionally, the aroma and oils of the ginger will enter into the pores of the skin, causing the body to smell fresh and clean.

The healing benefits of a ginger bath also include relief from pain associated with muscular illnesses and injuries. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce swelling and soreness in the body. Individuals with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle injuries might greatly benefit from the healing properties of this bath. A hot bath with ginger added can help relax tight muscles and might also assist in the relief of menstrual cramps in women.

Ginger's medicinal uses have been known for a long time.
Ginger's medicinal uses have been known for a long time.

Ginger baths may also allow people who are having a difficult time sleeping to get a good night of rest. The profuse sweating and detoxification a ginger bath promotes can cause an individual to feel extremely relaxed and tired. People suffering from insomnia or high stress levels might find that a ginger bath will relieve stress and help them sleep. Adequate amounts of water should also be consumed both before and after the bath to replace the liquid in the body that is lost through the detoxification process.

Discussion Comments

anon989937

The best lice defense is salt water and vinegar water! Put two or three tablespoons salt in a quart of warm water, add essential oils if you wish. (lice do not like peppermint, rosemary, tea tree oil.) Soak the hair from the hairline to crown of head. Wrap in a shower cap and towel. Let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse if you wish, then soak head with warm water and vinegar (half and half). Repeat towel and 15 minutes and rinse. All you have to do then is comb, comb, comb.

SteamLouis

@alisha-- I know! Isn't it great? Have you also tried adding some epsom salt and a tiny bit of cayenne pepper? It works even better and makes you sweat even more this way!

@feruze-- I have heard that drinking ginger tea helps kill parasites in the stomach and intestines but I have not heard of anyone using it for lice yet. I think it's worth a try, it would be beneficial and yes it's all natural so it doesn't irritate skin.

What I do is chop up fresh ginger and put it in a net bag into the hot bath. Technically, the fresh spice, the powder and the oil will work equally well. So it's really your preference. Too much of the oil could be irritating for really sensitive skin. So it might be best to start out with fresh ginger.

bear78

Has anyone had any experiences with ginger baths and lice?

I've heard that ginger is good at killing parasites which makes me wonder if it would be a good way to get rid of head lice. My kids have been infected with head lice twice in the past year from school. I've used chemical shampoos and treatments both times and although it worked, it made both of my sons' scalp very irritated, red and flaky. I think they have too sensitive skin to be using such products.

Do you think a ginger bath would help get rid of head lice? If so, what kind of ginger should I use for this? Would grated fresh ginger be better or ginger oil? I think the oil might be more potent and more effective but I'm not sure.

discographer

I believe in the power of ginger for detoxification. I love consuming ginger in general as ginger tea or ginger candies. But I also know that ginger baths are an amazing way to heal various ailments and to maintain health.

My mom is a big fan of herbal remedies and when I was growing up, ginger bath was a regular at our house. Whenever one of my brothers or I had a fever, my mom would draw a hot bath and put ginger in it. We would sweat like crazy, even after the bath was over but our fever would go down immediately. A nice long nap later, we were almost always back up on our feet.

I believe that many symptoms of illnesses that are caused by viruses and bacteria are due to huge amounts of toxins that build up in the body. Ginger baths are an excellent way to drain out those toxins.

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    • A ginger bath can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and also aid in digestion.
      By: olly
      A ginger bath can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and also aid in digestion.
    • Ginger's medicinal uses have been known for a long time.
      By: tashka2000
      Ginger's medicinal uses have been known for a long time.
    • A ginger bath might ease stress and related insomnia.
      By: Dan Race
      A ginger bath might ease stress and related insomnia.
    • Ginger baths can provide a healthy way to detoxify the body.
      By: Rido
      Ginger baths can provide a healthy way to detoxify the body.
    • The healing benefits of a ginger bath also include relief from pain associated with muscular illnesses and injuries.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      The healing benefits of a ginger bath also include relief from pain associated with muscular illnesses and injuries.
    • A hot bath with ginger added might assist in the relief of menstrual cramps in women.
      By: drubig-photo
      A hot bath with ginger added might assist in the relief of menstrual cramps in women.
    • A ginger bath can be used to relieve a stuffy nose.
      By: Ilike
      A ginger bath can be used to relieve a stuffy nose.