Want to detox your body through your feet? Try this famous Japanese foot detox recipe that has been used for centuries in Japan! Also known as Ashiyu, public foot baths are popular in Japanese culture and are believed to have a ton of amazing benefits. 

Ashi means foot and yu means hot water but it’s perceived as “foot bath“. Ashiyus are like saunas or hot springs but unlike both, you don’t need to take your clothes off to use them.

Also, most Ashiyus are set up near hot springs where the water temperature is naturally hot and contains minerals. These minerals are said to help improve relaxation and circulation.

Finding Ashiyu in Japan is usually an easy task because they are set up in parks, railway stations, street corners, and rest areas. Here is a picture of the longest foot bath in Japan known as the Hot Foot 105 in Obama Onsen’s.

The Hot Foot 105 is a public foot bath In Japan and is 105 meters long and the temperature is 105 degrees Celsius.

What Are Japanese Foot Baths Made Of?

Japanese Ashiyus are usually found close to onsens, (hot springs), and that is where they get their water from. Naturally, onsens are packed with minerals, about 19 to be exact, and are hotter in temperature. 

Iron, manganese, hydrogen, iodine, fluoride, sulfur, bicarbonate soda, radon, radium, calcium, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium sulfate are some of their natural minerals.

During foot baths, these minerals are absorbed through the feet and help improve circulation and oxygen flow plus other amazing health benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of Japanese Foot Baths

In Japanese alternative medicine, foot baths have been found to help increase blood circulation. When combined with essential oils like lavender oil, they may help improve breathing and blood pressure.

This study shows that foot baths actually help improve the duration and quality of sleep and reduce tension, anxiety, fatigue, and confusion.

But how do foot baths help with detoxing? Well, although there isn’t any proof of using foot baths for detox, using certain ingredients like Hon nigari, (pure magnesium chloride) and flowers of sulfur, (sulfur powder) can help you detox through your feet.

If Hon Nigari and sulfur flowers aren’t available, the best alternative is Epsom salt because it contains both sulfur and magnesium sulfate.

Easy DIY Japanese Foot Detox Recipe

For the original Japanese foot detox recipe, add 1 tablespoon of hon nigari, 1 tablespoon of flowers of sulfur, and a few drops of lavender essential oil to a very large bowl of warm water.

Mix well and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes. If you do not have access to these ingredients, here is the closest alternative recipe below. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of pure Epsom salt
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• a few drops of lavender essential oil
• 4-5 liters of semi-hot water
• 2 tablespoons of pure apple cider vinegar (optional)

Preparation & Instructions:

Mix all of the ingredients above and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes. Using a loofah, scrub your feet both under and on top to remove excess dead skin and toxins from the pores of your feet. 

Does Soaking Your Feet Really Remove Toxins?

Yes because toxins also enter the body through the skin. The feet are the closest to the ground where there are billions of bacteria and toxins. 

Washing your feet often or taking foot baths can wash them away. By adding certain minerals to your foot baths and soaking your feet for 10-20 minutes, these minerals can enter your pores and cause a deeper cleansing effect.

How Often Should You Detox Your Feet

You can have foot baths every 3-4 days for about 2 months and then gradually dial it down to once a week and then once a month. 

However, the Japanese do foot baths whenever they get a chance, and that’s because they use natural onsens to do so. For those who use non-natural alternatives by adding minerals to hot tubs, there are side effects. 

Side Effects Of The Japanese Foot Detox

Some of the side effects of using synthetic magnesium chloride foot soak include confusion, dizziness, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and sleepiness. Make sure to stop the foot detox right away if you have any of these symptoms.

As for the side effects of flowers of sulfur, people with sensitive skin can experience mild burning, tingling, itching, and dryness. Simply stopping the detox and washing your feet with clean running water can reverse the side effects.

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Conclusion

I hope you liked this Japanese foot detox recipe helpful and make sure to save it for later if you did. You can find me on Pinterest for more awesome tips. Until next time, stay awesome.