It is commonly used by athletes to treat muscles that are sore, while gardeners sprinkle it on their plants to boost their growth. We’re talking about Epsom salt which is, of course. Epsom salt has a long-standing history of diverse uses and advantages for beauty, health, garden maintenance and home cleaning.
Epsom salt is a natural exfoliant and anti-inflammatory cure that can be used to treat muscle pain and dry skin, as well as fight internal health problems. Add Epsom salt into your next foot soak or bath to create a luxurious and rejuvenating spa at-home experience. Contrary to other salts interaction with Epsom salt does not make your skin feel dry. Actually, it makes the skin feel soft and silky.
Another huge benefit of this extraordinary salt is its magnesium content. According to a 2018 review of science, you can have a magnesium deficiency even the levels of magnesium in your blood are in the normal range. Furthermore, it’s been found that most people require an additional 300 milligrams of magnesium per day in order to lower the risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases.
This is just one of many reasons you should add this salt to your routine.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt gets its name from a saline-rich bitter spring located at Epsom within Surrey, England, where the salt was first extracted from water. This salt is different from conventional salts due to the fact that it’s a mineral compound composed of magnesium and sulfate. It was first made from mineral water, but today it’s mostly obtained through mining operations.
Chemical formula of magnesium sulfate is MgSO4. It is able to be broken down into magnesium and sulfate that is a mixture of sulfur and oxygen. The salt consists of small crystals with no color and appears like table salt. But table salt is completely different from Epsom salt because it is made up mostly of sodium chloride.
How does Epsom salt work? It is a source of magnesium, a mineral that is vital in the functioning of the human body. A few of the major functions of magnesium include keeping blood pressure at a normal level, the heart rhythm steady and strong bones. The other ingredient that is the most important, sulfate, is a crucial mineral to a variety of biological processes. It helps flush toxins, clean the liver of toxins, as well as aid in the formation of protein in the brain and joints.
Health Benefits
1. It boosts Magnesium Levels
Magnesium levels that are appropriate are essential to healthy living, however it is common for people to suffer from insufficient magnesium. Alcoholism, diarrhea that is severe, malnutrition or high amounts of calcium (hypercalcemia) can all contribute to hypomagnesemia or low levels magnesium. Just by soaking your feet or entire body in a tub containing Epsom salts you can boost magnesium levels naturally without taking magnesium supplements.
Magnesium regulates more than 300 enzymes that are present in our body and plays an important function in coordinating many bodily functions. These vital functions include the control of muscle power production, energy production, electrical impulses, and elimination of toxic toxins.
Magnesium deficiency is associated with a number of chronic diseases which include type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and high blood pressure heart disease, stroke as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By boosting your internal magnesium levels through external use in the form of Epsom salt, you can help improve or ward off many health conditions that can be avoided.
2. Reduces Stress
Is soaking in Epsom salt good for you? Everybody has heard the importance of having an enjoyable soak in a warm bathtub after a rough day. It doesn’t matter if it’s difficult physically, mentally or physically, taking a warm (again but not too hot) bath is a great way to relieve stress. If you’re looking to enhance the stress-reducing benefits of a nice, long soak by adding a cup to two cups of Epsom salt to the bath water. Not only does the magnesium helps relax your muscles but it also helps relax your mind.
Based on research from research conducted by the University of North Carolina, hypomagnesemia increases stress reaction. Additional studies have revealed that magnesium can have a major impact on stress and excitability. Magnesium-rich salts, like Epsom salt, have the ability to lower anxiety and could help with neuropsychiatric disorders.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in the production of energy by cells. In the event that you take more magnesium, you can feel revived but not jittery. It’s a much more calm energy , as opposed to the way people feel refreshed after caffeine consumption.
3. Eliminates Toxins
The sulfates present in Epsom salt aid in the body in flushing out toxic substances. This helps to remove heavy metals detox from the body’s cells. This can help lower the internal accumulation of harmful substances. Human skin is a highly porous membrane. By adding minerals like magnesium and sulfate in your bath water, it starts reverse osmosis. It takes salt out of your body and harmful toxins along with it.
In a weight loss and detox program detox baths that contain baking soda and magnesium sulfate are frequently recommended. It doesn’t mean Epsom salts weight loss “a issue,” but since the salt can help reduce the retention of water and encourage elimination (more on that next) it’s certainly an ideal idea to include it into a complete weight loss strategy.
4. Relieves Constipation
Can you drink Epsom salts? Epsom salt is a FDA-approved laxative and commonly utilized to relieve constipation naturally. When taken internally, it works as natural laxatives by increasing water in the intestines and removing your colon from waste. A roundup of studies published in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology reports that there is evidence the Epsom salt “has an effective laxative effect in vitro by releasing the digestive hormones as well as neurotransmitters.”
The use of magnesium sulfate internally can provide temporary relief from constipation but like any laxative, Epsom salt for constipation is not meant to be a permanent solution or substitute for a healthy diet high in fiber.
If a laxative is necessary, it’s advisable to stay clear of a lot of aggressive laxatives available right now. Why? They’re usually loaded with artificial colors and flavors , as well as dangerous chemicals. To take magnesium sulfate orally, a typical suggestion is to dissolve one dose into eight 8 ounces of water. Mix this up and drink it all right away. You could add a little quantity of juice from a lemon for enhancing the taste.
Drink plenty of liquids while taking or taking an Epsom salt laxative in order to prevent dehydration. Magnesium Sulfate taken orally will produce a bowel movement within thirty minutes to six hours.
5. Reduces Pain and Inflammation
A warm bath containing Epsom salt has been proven to help ease pain and alleviate inflammation. This makes it a beneficial natural treatment for sore muscles, migraines (including migraines) and arthritis pain.
Warm water bathing is among the oldest methods of alternative therapy for arthritis. If you include Epsom salt the bath will become much more relaxing. The Arthritis Foundation:
The data gathered at the National Academy of Sciences show most Americans don’t have enough magnesium, a mineral that’s crucial for bone and heart health. One way to help remedy this is to bathe in … Epsom salts. They’re relatively inexpensive, can be found at grocery or drug stores and could boost magnesium levels as much as 35 percent, according to research of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
Do you have a painful and annoying injury to your hand caused by a splinter? Place the affected area with warm water, and Epsom salt, and the splinter will come out of the skin in a flash! Repetitiveness after childbirth? Epsom salt can aid in that, too. The general rule is that healthy levels of magnesium derived from Epsom salt usage can ease overall body inflammation because magnesium deficiency has been associated to a higher level of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body.
6. Improves Blood Sugar Levels
The development of Type 2 diabetes is typically linked to both extracellular and intracellular magnesium deficiency. Additionally, good magnesium levels are linked with a reduced chance of developing diabetes. As you’ve gathered, Epsom salt is an excellent food source for magnesium.
The regular consumption of Epsom salts, whether by mouth or transdermally, can help regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of getting diabetes and boosting energy levels. Always consult with your physician prior to using any new diabetes remedies.
7. Volumizes Hair
The addition of Epsom salts to products for hair will help reduce excess oil. Excess oil contributes to hair looking thin and heavy. A quick and easy method of creating your personal hair conditioner that is volumizing at home is to mix equal parts conditioner and salt (example 2 tablespoons conditioner plus 2 tablespoons Epsom salts).
After shampooing your hair as normal after shampooing as usual, apply the volumizing mix to hair, covering it from the scalp up to the ends. Let the mix sit for 1o to 20 minutes prior to washing. This is a great weekly hair treatment.
8. May Boost Plant Health
Epsom salt usage in gardens is popular and has a good reason It works as natural fertilizer. Epsom salt is known to improve the appearance of plants. It also helps in allowing them to grow even larger, even though some experts are skeptical. But, many gardeners like using Epsom salt to treat tomato plants, roses and peppers Many believe it boosts yields of plants.
There are a variety of ways you can use epsom salt for plants include:
When planting vegetables or roses add a teaspoon of Epsom salts into the planter hole.
Combine 1 tablespoon of salt to one gallon of water as a foliar spray, apply it when the plants begin to bloom and then again after a young fruit is seen.
9. Helps with Breathing Problems
Magnesium sulfate also has shown success as a natural treatment for asthma bronchial. A scientific review that was published in 2012 reveals that magnesium sulfate “has been suggested as an adjunct therapy in severe and life-threatening asthma exacerbations.”
The first use of magnesium to treat asthma was first reported in 1936. Studies have demonstrated that magnesium relaxes bronchial smooth muscles in a dose-dependent way. Today, the use of magnesium sulfate intravenously is an add-on therapy along with standard treatment for severe and acute asthma exacerbations.
10. Helps Prevent Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia can be a risky pregnancy complication marked by hypertension. Magnesium sulfate is one of the methods that physicians and women who are pregnant use to improve or help to stop preeclampsia. It has been proven to have in vivo and in vitro vasodilator qualities.
What is a vasodilator? It’s something that helps widen blood vessels and improve blood flow. Magnesium Sulfate is a particular favorite as a treatment for management of severe cases of preeclampsia, to stop the progression to eclampsia. This can cause seizures in women who suffer from preeclampsia.
Uses
1. Epsom Salt Bath Recipe
Undoubtedly, one of the most common Epsom salt uses is inclusion in baths. The combination of Epsom salt with baking soda and lavender oil results in an easy and simple bath recipe that helps you relax, release muscle tension, and heal all over, both physically and mentally. Look over our Homemade Healing Bath Salts recipe.
Guidelines for how much Epsom salt you need for bathing may differ. To make an Epsom salts detox bath, make sure you add at least two cups of Epsom salt to the bath water and let it soak for 40 minutes in total. The first 20 mins give your body the chance to eliminate toxins from your system, while the final 20 minutes let you take in the minerals that are in the water and help you emerge from the bath feeling rejuvenated. Make sure you drink water before, throughout and after bathing to safeguard yourself from dehydration and increase elimination.
Epsom salt is an essential ingredient in many recipes for detoxifying baths. You can use it as a separate salt for bathing or mix it with dried plants and essential oils for a more decadent bathing experience.
2. Epsom Salt Foot Soak
If you haven’t tried a DIY foot bath or detox foot bath, you’re overdue to see what Epsom salt can provide for your feet. Incorporating Epsom salts into a foot bath could aid in boosting magnesium levels and provide relief for tired, aching feet.
In addition, Epsom salt can help infections. The process of bathing an infected foot, or another part of the body with magnesium sulfate could help in removing the toxins and encourage healing of the infected tissue.
3. Bone and Joint Pain Relief
When it is used in a bath or compress, Epsom salt may offer some relief from the pain you feel. You can try soaking in a relaxing bath with Epsom salt as a typical home remedy for joint and bone pain.
4. Heel Spur Aid
Because magnesium is essential to the health of bones, Epsom salt may be the ideal holistic cure for a heel spur. The displacement of calcium in the bone causes an heel spur to develop at the bottom of your heel. Heel spurs can be mildly to very painful. One natural solution for healing a heel spur is to soak your foot in a warm (but still not hot) soak with Epsom salt. It helps ease pain and inflammation.
Risques and side effects
Never use a higher dose of Epsom salt that the manufacturer’s recommendations or the doctor’s instructions. Magnesium sulfate that is taken orally may cause problems for your body to absorb other medicines that you are taking by mouth particularly antibiotics. Take care not to take any other medications within 2 hours prior to or after taking magnesium sulfate, which is a laxative.
If you experience rectal bleeding or you don’t get bowel movements after using magnesium sulfate to act as laxative, stop taking the medication and call your doctor at once. These may be signs of a serious illness.
Magnesium in any form such as Epsom salt, must be handled with care in patients with renal impairment since the process of processing it occurs in the kidneys and may reach toxic levels quickly in those patients. Magnesium sulfate has been used to treat preeclampsia and eclampsia in pregnant women, but pregnant or nursing women must be cautious and consult their doctors before taking the medication.
Common negative effects of consuming too much are mild stomach upsets that can cause nausea, abdominal cramping , or diarrhea. Serious side effects of magnesium sulfate overdose include allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching breathing issues and chest tightness or swelling of the face, mouth, lips or tongue), dizziness, flushing as well as faintness, irregular heartbeat, muscle paralysis or muscle weakness, severe drowsiness and sweating. You should tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms following the use of Epsom salt. The risk of serious side effects from Epsom salt are uncommon when used in recommended dosages.
As always, if you have any doubts, pregnant, nursing, being treated for a medical issue or are currently taking medication you should consult your doctor prior to any use, either external or internal.
Final Thoughts
Epsom salt, which is also known as magnesium Sulfate, has a lengthy history of being utilized as an natural remedy for a array of health issues.
Its benefits are known to include a rise in magnesium and stress reduction, as well as toxin elimination as well as pain relief and blood sugar regulation.
It is also a suggested natural treatment by arthritis experts for relief from joint pain and inflammation.
It can also be used to treat breathing problems such as asthma, and to help women prevent or treat preeclampsia and eclampsia.
It is commonly used to relieve constipation. Although it is a better option than other laxatives however, it isn’t intended to be a permanent solution.
Epsom salts are used in your garden or in house plants as a natural fertilizer to boost the growth and health of your plants.
Take a bath in salt (bath or feet) after a long day. Don’t be surprised if your body feels much more relaxed after you’re done.