Epsom salt baths offer a wonderful and relaxing way to soothe your skin and reduce stress. In fact, Epsom salt is a natural remedy that can treat many ailments and provide significant health benefits.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what an Epsom salt bath is and how you can prepare one from the comfort of your home.
What is an Epsom salt bath?
Epsom salt is made of magnesium and sulfate. It gets its name from a town that shares the same name in Surrey, England where it was first discovered. Today, Epsom salt can be sourced in your local drugstores.
Unlike table salt, Epsom salt has a completely different compound, and can be found in natural springs. This explains why Epsom is commonly used in a salt bath. When you pour Epsom salt into your bathwater, it quickly dissolves into magnesium and sulfate. Magnesium is a natural mineral that helps remove toxins from your body, while sulfate promotes a healthy digestive tract.
When you bathe and soak in water with Epsom salt, you’re allowing your body to absorb the minerals and reap its full benefits.
What are the uses of Epsom salt?
Epsom is generally considered safe for household use. They’re commonly used as a home remedy for the following conditions:
- Sore muscles
- Stiff joints
- Body aches
- Arthritis & swelling
- Bruises & sprains
- Insomnia
- Tired & swollen feet
- Irritation & itching
- Sprains
- Stress
- Sunburn
Medical professionals also use Epsom salt to prevent premature birth and seizure, treat muscle spasms, prevent barium poisoning, and aid muscle and nerve function.
What are the Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths?
Bathing in Epsom-mixed water provides various benefits for the mind and body. Let’s take a closer look.
Promotes better skin health
Bathing in Epsom salt water aids in exfoliation and helps soften rough and dry skin. It gets rid of dirt and dead skin cells, leaving you feeling fresh and smooth!
Just take note that if you have an open wound or burn, prevent soaking in an Epsom salt bath because it could irritate your wounds.
Reduces soreness & pain
Epsom salt helps reduce inflammation and relieves sore muscles. For example, after a stressful day or an intense workout session, soaking in Epsom can help prevent cramping and post-workout muscle aches. An Epsom bath can help your muscles relax better, helping your body recover faster.
Epsom salt baths are also beneficial for pregnant women. After all, it helps reduce the frequency and intensity of pregnancy cramping.
Calms the nerves
Soaking in Epsom can help improve your mood and relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. If you’re wondering how Epsom salt baths can help improve your mental health, magnesium is linked with serotonin production, which is your happy hormone.
An increase in magnesium can elevate your mood and calm your nerves. Doctors also prescribe Epsom salt because it helps patients calm their nerves and boost their mental health.
Better sleep
Epsom salt baths can also help you get better sleep and fight sleep-related problems like insomnia. Bathing in Epsom enables you to relax your muscles and gets your body in the proper state to facilitate a more restful sleep.
Addresses foot problems
Epsom salt is an inexpensive way to maintain foot hygiene. It helps treat conditions like athletes’ foot and possible infections that could stem from an ingrown nail.
Simply soaking your feet in Epsom salt can help kill bacteria and reduce any funky odors.
Regulates metabolism
Magnesium plays an essential role in ensuring proper metabolism, hormonal balance, and healthy cell growth. Taking an Epsom salt bath allows magnesium to be absorbed into your skin directly, otherwise known as transdermal application.
What’s the Right Way to Take an Epsom Salt Bath?
Preparing an Epsom salt bath is quite simple. Firstly, fill your bathtub with warm water. Make sure it’s warm enough for the salt to dissolve but comfortable enough for you to relax as you soak.
Pour 1-2 cups or about 300 grams of Epsom salt into your bathtub while the water is running so it dissolves properly. Once your bathtub is filled with water and the Epsom salt has been completely dissolved, it’s time to take a dip!
After about 15-20 minutes of soaking in Epsom water, rinse off and shower. Make sure you rest for at least an hour after showering to let your body absorb all the minerals. That said, the ideal time for you to take an Epsom salt bath is before bedtime so you can go straight to sleep after your shower.
Things to remember when using Epsom salt
Take note that if you have sensitive skin, Epsom can make your skin dry, so don’t forget to apply moisturizer afterward.
If you plan to consume Epsom salt orally, make sure you consult your doctor first. For example, some patients take Epsom salt orally to relieve constipation because it acts as a laxative. Without a prescription, however, improper intake of Epsom salt could result in side effects like changes in bowel movement, dehydration, and general discomfort.
Lastly, make sure you buy pure, high-quality Epsom salt. Check the labels and ingredients to be sure, and remember that Epsom salt should always be 100% magnesium sulfate.
If you want to learn more about other healing agents and pain relievers, check out the LifeClinic blog today.
