Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is considered to be a natural mineral salt which is composed of magnesium and sulfate. It is called Epsom due to the name of the city in which it was first discovered in England. Although it is similar to your regular table salt, it is inedible and tastes extremely bitter.
Most people use Epsom salt for when taking a bath. It is dissolved in warm to hot water and pour into the bath water to soak in. It is believed by many that it helps to relieve stress and muscle soreness.
How to Use Epsom Salt and its Benefits
The idea of dissolving Epsom salt and soaking in it while taking a bath is to have the body absorb the chemical compounds of magnesium and sulfate as they are dissolved in the water. There are those who are skeptical of the use of Epsom salt this way but years of testimonials of users have claimed its benefits by using it this way.
To those not aware, magnesium is crucial for brain and body health. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels and is proven to assist with body performance especially in physical activities.
Magnesium can be found throughout the body and as a matter of fact, the body needs this mineral to function. Magnesium is involved in the many molecular reactions in the body such as converting food into energy, the creation of new proteins, muscle maintenance, and the regulation of the nervous system.
Magnesium is popular with individuals who exercise frequently or participate in physical activities. This is due to the fact that magnesium is more needed during physical activity such as exercise than while a person is resting. There are studies that show magnesium supplements are beneficial to improve performance in adults.
During exercise or rigorous physical activity, magnesium helps move blood sugar molecules in the muscles while disposing lactate which is known to build up in muscles and cause fatigue.
Therefore, taking a bath in water with dissolved Epsom salt helps with muscle soreness due to the magnesium. While the bath itself is relaxing and comes with stress relief, it is believed by users that Epsom salt is stress relieving in general. As a result, the relaxation and stress relief one gets from Epsom salt baths can also promote a healthier sleep cycle. This is due to the magnesium that is being absorbed by the body. It is known that magnesium helps the brain with its sleep-inducing properties.
Since it is also known for muscle recovery, it is no wonder that it is generally used for inflammation as well. And not just with muscle inflammation, some experts believe that it is for inflammation of the internal organs as well. For this reason, Epsom salt can help with bowel movements or indigestion.
Another way to use Epsom salt is as an exfoliant for the skin and hair. When used as a scrub for the skin, it can help cleanse the pores. On the other hand, when used alongside with hair conditioner, it is known to help add volume.
With all good things such as Epsom salt, there are side effects that may occur. It is unusual to experience any side effects but there are still caution advised. For the most part, people with severe skin irritation or sensitivity, open wounds, and burns should not take Epsom salt baths. In addition, Epsom salt is not meant to be ingested as it can cause severe diarrhea, general discomfort, and dehydration. However, there are some Epsom salt retailed to be edible. In these cases, Epsom salt is taken in the form of magnesium citrate or magnesium hydroxide and is known to help with constipation and approved by FDA as a laxative. It is best practice to make sure to drink plenty of water when consuming Epsom salt.
Side effects aside, get Epsom salt now and enjoy a relaxing, stress-relieving bath!
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 28). Should you take an Epsom salt bath?
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-epsom-salt/amp/
Elliott, B. (2018, December 13). Epsom salt: Benefits, uses, and side effects. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/epsom-salt-benefits-uses
