Test a Detox Foot Bath

The efficacy of detoxifying foot baths (also known as ionic foot baths) are controversial. Some holistic practitioners embrace them, while some scientists denounce them as quackery. One of the most convincing effects of a detox foot bath is the release of "toxic" substances once feet are submerged and an electric current is initiated. But are those substances really toxic, and are they coming from your body? You can test these claims in the privacy of your own home and for less money than at a spa. These instructions will demonstrate that detox foot baths don't "detoxify" at all - you will see the same "toxic" substances discoloring the water, without you actually having to put your feet into it!

Steps

  1. Separate the wires about 15 inches (38 cm) and strip them about 6 inches (15 cm) each. If you've never stripped a wire, be careful not to cut all the way through.
  2. Wrap the exposed wire around each spoon. Secure with plumbing tape to keep water out.
  3. Fill your dishpan with warm water and two heaping tablespoons of Epsom salt.
  4. Put the spoons in the salt water, then plug in the transformer. You will see "toxic" substances released in about 90 seconds, and your feet aren't even in there!
  5. Unplug the transformer and dump the water. Don't bother putting your feet in. If done improperly, there's the possibility of electrocution, and even if done properly, there's a chance of metals leaching into your body--see Warnings below.

Tips

  • Detoxification does not occur in your skin. The only organ in your body that can perform this function is the liver, which modifies the chemical structure of foreign substances so that when they're in the blood, the kidneys can filter them out into the urine.[1]
  • The toxins you see are actually the result of ions in the water (created by dissolving salt) reacting with metallic ions from the stainless steel.[2] If you were to perform the experiment with platinum or titanium, this colorful result would not occur.
  • For a relaxing foot bath, put your foot in warm water with Epsom salt dissolved in it. Just soaking feet for an hour with Epsom salts in very warm water without any spoons and never adding any electricity may soothe foot pain.[3] A foot bath with one part vinegar to two parts warm water can fight nail fungus.[4] But don't "pickle" your feet by soaking them for too long!

Warnings

  • Use extreme caution. Electricity and water are a very dangerous mix. Voltage does not kill. Amperage does. Do not fool yourself into believing that because something is low voltage, it cannot hurt you.
  • There is, as of yet, no scientific evidence that detox foot baths are effective medical treatment for any kind of disease or dysfunction.
  • As mentioned in the steps, do not touch the water or place your feet in the bath. You risk electrocution if the wires were not assembled properly. The point of this how-to is to demonstrate how these machines are essentially a scam. This page does not contain instructions on how to build a detox foot bath you would want to place your feet in.
  • The metallic ions released from stainless steel (chromium-, nickel-, manganese-, and iron-ions) may work their way into your body through the sweat glands in your feet, enough to result in a spike of chromium and nickel in your urine.[2]

Things You'll Need

  • 24 volt transformer available at Radio Shack or similar outlet,
  • electrodes (two stainless steel spoons were used),
  • a dishpan,
  • Epsom salt or sea salt
  		•

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.devicewatch.org/reports/aquadetox.shtml
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spa_bath
  3. ↑ http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/health_usage_tips.htm
  4. ↑ Graedon, Joe. The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies. ISBN 0312267649

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