What are the Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths?

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Epsom salt is a  naturally occurring pure mineral compound of sulfate and magnesium, named after a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England. It has been known as a natural remedy for various ailments and contains many health benefits as well as household and beauty related uses.

Studies have reported that sulfate and magnesium are both easilyabsorbed through the skin, making Epsom salt baths an easy way to enjoy its associated health benefits.

Magnesium plays various roles in your body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, helping muscle and nerve function, reducing inflammation and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates on the other hand, help in improving the absorption of nutrients, easing migraine headaches and flush toxins.

What are the Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths?
epsom salt bath benefits / photo source: foodmatters.com

Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Bath:

1. Get Rid of Toxins

The Epsom Salt Council reported that the sulfates found in Epsom salt can help flush out toxins and draw impurities away from the skin. Also, according to The Epsom Salt Council, you should soak in a warm bath with about 2 cups Epsom salt for at approximately 12 minutes at a time for the greatest therapeutic benefits.

2. Improves Blood Sugar Levels

Healthy magnesium levels have been associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes. Epsom salt is a good source of magnesium. Both sulfate and magnesium help in improving your body’s ability to utilize and produce insulin.

Regular intake of Epsom salts, either transdermally or orally, can help in regulating blood sugar, improving daily energy levels and lowering the risk of diabetes.

Studies showed how a healthy intake of magnesium is linked with a lower risk of development of type 2 diabetes, therefore, proving Epsom salts work as natural diabetes remedy.

3. Prevents Magnesium Deficiency

More than 325 enzymes in your body requires magnesium to properly function. Magnesium helps in stimulating muscle and nerve functions, improves oxygenation and blood flow through the body and limits inflammation.

Deficiencies in magnesium can cause significant damage to your nerves, which manifest in symptoms that are linked with depression.

Sulfate and magnesium are both fine consistency minerals, which can be absorbed through your skin and taken up into the bloodstream. Just as the skin perspires to remove toxins through your pores, these same pores can also allow minerals in.

Remember the process of reverse osmosis, so that you can understand the process which moves toxins out of the body and pulls magnesium and sulfate inward. When one soak in bathwater containing epsom salts, reverse osmosis happens to help cleanse your body.

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4. Reduce Stress

If you are under stress your body is drained of magnesium and there is an increase level of adrenaline. Some short-term stress is actually helpful to your body, but long-term exposure can lead to a number of harmful conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, blood sugar regulation problems and insomnia.

Your body is re-supplied with magnesium, when Epsom salt is added to a warm bath. This helps with the production of serotonin, which is the mood-lifting chemical in the brain that reduces anxiety and promotes calmness. Bathing in epsom salt, at least 3x per week, will help reduce irritability as well.

5. Reduces Inflammation and Pain

A warm bath that contains Epsom salt is known to relieve the inflammation at the root of most diseases and ease pain, which makes it a beneficial natural treatment for sore muscles, bronchial asthma and headaches. Also, Epsom salt can help heal cuts and reduce the swelling that accompanies bruises and sprains.

Do you experience soreness after childbirth? Epsom salt can help with that. The healthy magnesium levels from Epsom salt use can help overall bodily inflammation. This is because low magnesium has been associated with higher C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a marker of inflammation in the body.

How to Take an Epsom Salt Bath:

Using a warm bath, instead of steaming hot water, is better. For the Epsom salt bath, add 2 cups of Epsom salt to your bath. Soak for at least 15 minutes a few times per week for best results. If you have a larger tub, use more salt.

Don’t have time for a full bath? You can also make a shower paste. To make the paste, add ¼ cup of organic olive oil and Epsom salt to make a paste. Use the scrub in while you shower. Also, you can make a warm compress with Epsom salt to put on sore muscles or bruises.

Read More:
1. How to Use Epsom Salt to Relieve Back Pain
2. Superb Beauty Uses of Salt
3. Remove Your Foot Odor With Epsom Salt and Vinegar Soaks

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