Detox Foot Spa (Bath), Is It a Scam? You'd Better Know the Truth

I have received several emails from our clients and newsletter subscribers regarding “detox foot spa” and its results. So now, reading this article will guide you to the right path.
Detox foot spa machines are sold in several common names including: Detox Foot Bath, Foot Detox Spa, Aqua Detox, Ionic Detox Foot Bath, Detoxification Foot Spa, Energizer Detox, Cell Spa Foot Detox, Chi Detox, Bio Detox, Water Detox, and Energetic Foot Bath.

You may have seen pictures similar to the above. Many manufacturers and practitioners claim that it removes toxic matter in the body by soaking your feet in an aqua tub. The treatment is normally given by soaking your feet in water with salt added to aid the conductivity of the water. Then, low electrical current is transmitted through two electrodes.
They claim that water turning reddish brown is the toxic matter removed from the body. Depending on the color, they claim that yellowish color is from the kidney and bladder toxins, orange is from arthritis-related illness, dark brown is from liver-related diseases, and so on. Scientifically, these claims are 100% nonsensical!
Here's what really happens. The color of water changes due to a process called “electrolysis”. The brown toxins you see are from the rust generated by the corrosion of the iron electrodes! The different variations in color can be accounted by varying amount of salt added to the water and variations in the compositions of the electrodes. The color of water will change with or without soaking your feet in it.
Dialysis results from several sources also show that the brown stuff that appears in the bathwater is iron-based, and that the bathwater showed no sign of urea or creatinine, supporting the fact that detoxification does not apply. In fact, some marketers admitted this and opted in emphasizing “energy balance” in their sales pitches. They also use pseudoscience of toxins, bio-energy, bio-stimulation, cellular energy, and other science jargons to mislead people.
Also, among many commercialized detox foot spa machines, they claim that their machines create negative ions in the water that revitalize the dead cells and organs in the body. There is no definite proof that water can be ionized properly. Ionized water may supposedly mean that the water is ionized, although it is unclear what this claim means precisely. It is claimed that water in an electric field will self-ionize. Pure water at room temperature and normal pressure always self-ionizes to 10–14 M, and it is impossible to force the water permanently into a higher state of ionization without adding other chemicals. However, even if it is possible to ionize the water, it is difficult to prove it.
I myself do not believe it.

What about the Hot Spring or Herbal Footbath?

The usual form of footbath, which is commonly done in resorts or spas, is different from the detox foot spa machines sold in the market today. Footbath have originated from a Japanese legend occurred about 1,600 years ago. It was narrated by a group of sickly people and monks who made pilgrimage.

One evening during that time, in a deep mountain, the group looked around to find a place to rest their exhausted bodies. They saw a hot spring streaming out of the rock where they decided to make their shanty for the night. Before sleeping, they placed their feet to the hot stream to relieve their fatigue. When they woke up the next morning, they noticed that they felt healthier than ever before. The group completed their pilgrimage, and they were informed by their physicians that their illnesses were gone.
This occurrence of miraculous healing power spread around from villages to villages. Thousands of people followed the same route of pilgrimage, and some doctors and renowned physicians found that footbath has something to do with healing. From then on, the term “footbath” or “Ashiyu” in Japanese was born.
Foot bathing works by soaking your feet in a shallow hot spring. If your feet become warm, then your whole body may become warm, too. You will feel relaxed just like you are taking a bath in hot spring.
Today, we know that the source of its healing power comes from the different kinds of mineral contents in hot springs. Electronic foot baths equipped with an ion producer and herbs added are also sold.

Electronic Herbal Foot Baths

However, no Japanese manufacturers claim that it can detoxify the body through feet. They just claim that it can help rejuvenate your health and remove fatigue and other stress-oriented illnesses (e.g. neuralgia, rheumatism, lumbago, poor blood circulation, hemorrhoids, fatigue, dry skin, bruise, frostbite, chapped hand, miliaria (or heat rash), allergies, pimples, migraine, insomnia, headaches, sinusitis, stiff neck and shoulders, sports injuries).
The recommended temperature is 40–42 °C and about 10–25 minutes per treatment session. You can do it as many times as desired.
Unlike detox foot spa machines, electronic foot bath with minerals, herbs, or electrodes added, will help in relieving fatigue and stress, and energize the body system, leading you to good health.
Our research shows that for stress and fatigue, which are usually caused by poor blood circulation, foot bath can find great relief without drugs at home. To make foot bath more effective, natural herbs you have in your kitchen such as radish or carrot leaves, tea, orange skin, and many other leftovers can help a lot. These herbs can help you prevent getting hundreds of illnesses, too.
The following lists are some additives you can find in your kitchen, backyard garden, or on a nearby mountain:

• Pine tree leaves - boil for about 5 minutes
• Green tea
• Dried peels of citrus fruits
• Grated garlic, ginger, and hot pepper
• Bamboo leaves
• Dried radish leaves
• Corn silk or maize

There are hundreds of additives known since hundreds of years ago in Japan. According to ancient books, all of them are good for treating skin allergies, dry and oily skin, fatigue, stress, insomnia, asthma, headache, rheumatism, arthritis, common cold, and many others. I have requested our research teams to study about this for more details.
Now, you understand that footbath is good in revitalizing or rejuvenating your health. It may make you feel younger, especially when herbs or some medicinal properties are added to the water. It is very evident that it has power to heal some illnesses.
If you are traveling to several hot springs, the natural hot spring contains minerals, which are usually specified in the guidebooks of travel agents.
What about foot reflexology? Foot reflexology is an ancient natural therapy that utilizes energy zones on the feet, and can provide relief for various illnesses as well as energize the body system. Foot reflexologies such as acupuncture and moxibustion have been practiced since 4,500 years ago in China, Egypt, Korea, and Japan. Now it became very popular in many parts of the world including Europe and the USA. According to a Chinese acupuncture theory, there are reflex areas in the feet that correspond to all parts of the body and these areas are arranged in such a way to form a map of the body. As you know, there are patch materials that contain medicinal properties like those used for pain reliever. By sinking your feet into the hot water (diluted with medicinal properties), the medicinal properties will travel to our body through the feet, rejuvenating our health.
History tells its effectiveness. Why don't you try it? Also, did you know that it is recommended to use "wooden pail" rather than metallic or plastic ones? Wooden pail also has the power to heal your illness according to the wisdom of ancestors.

Herbal foot bath combined with the is superior to the world of health maintenance! Stay young and live longer. Good luck.