It’s also worth noting there’s limited research on this topic, so we can’t draw any hard conclusions. However, there are certainly science-backed properties of a bath that could alleviate certain cold symptoms. And finally, as with any home remedy, check with your doctor before pursuing a regimen like this—especially if you’re pregnant or have any heart or liver illness. If you’ve never done this before, 20 minutes is plenty. Especially with the added ginger, the bath will cause you to sweat more than usual, and it will feel quite hot. Any longer might be too intense for a newbie. Also, don’t feel bad if you can’t stay totally submerged the entire time. Once you’re out, simply towel off and rest for about 30 minutes before showering. Do not do this detox bath every day. Since the bath will make you sweat excessively, it may make you feel dehydrated. Instead, try it out once or twice a week. You can build to three times a week from there if you want to do so. Even after you get out of the bath, you’ll probably continue to sweat for a period of time, so wear light clothing or a towel so you can easily change. And just like with any massage or sauna treatment, drink plenty of water afterward.
