What is a Foot Detox?

Foot detox promises to draw impurities and toxins out of your body through your feet. This concept isn’t new; it has been used in Japan and other Asian countries for centuries. It’s also very similar to the use of a sauna to cleanse the body by sweating out impurities.

According to Japanese legend, the power of foot detox was discovered entirely by accident. The story goes that over fifteen hundred years ago, sickly travelers were making a pilgrimage. They stopped one night beside a hot spring flowing from a rock to set up their camp. Then, they soaked their feet in the hot water for a while to relieve their weariness. The next day, they continued on their journey, feeling better than they had in a long time. At the end of their pilgrimage, their physician was surprised to find them all in perfect health. It was later discovered that the hot spring contained minerals that encouraged healing and physical well-being. Soon thousands were making the same pilgrimage to experience the healing waters for themselves.

Foot detox works through the use of ionized water and herbs. The water is charged with both positive and negative ions, which draw toxins from the body through the feet. In order for this to work, the water must be warm — around 105°F (about 46°C). This causes the feet to sweat, releasing toxins through the skin. The reason this sort of detox focuses on the feet is because the feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body.

The herbs that are added in a foot detox help the body release toxins. As the detox continues, the water will turn brown. This is a result of interactions with the water, ionizing machine, added salt, and herbs. The water can actually turn brown without the feet being in the water and therefore isn't proof that the detox is working. In fact, the toxins are more easily seen after the water has been removed from the foot bath. The sticky residue left behind on the side of the bath is all toxic material that was drawn from the body.

Foot detox has been said to help with a variety of conditions including blemished skin, cold and flu symptoms, fatigue, migraine headaches, body odors, and bad breath. It can restore energy, make the skin look younger, and improve the overall feeling of good health.

But the question is, does it really work? Scientific communities aren’t sure yet, at least not in the western half of the world. In the eastern world, this science has been a part of their lives for hundreds of years. Japanese doctors don’t claim that this is a miracle cure. Instead, this should be seen as a way to promote good health and good feelings.

If you’re interested in trying foot detox, there are two options available to you. Traditional foot detoxification requires the use of an ionized foot soak which are becoming more readily available in spas and health clubs. Another option is to pick up foot detox pads available at most drug stores. These work along the same principle as the traditional foot soak. Herbs in the pads draw toxins out of the feet while you sleep. With either method, a period of regular use is recommended before seeing results. For the foot soak, it is recommended that you get treatment for thirty minutes, every other day, for fourteen sessions. Foot detox pads should be used for one week before you'll see maximum results.