It is very common for people to take medicines for trivial things. Like, you have a pulled muscle by lifting heavy things or pain due to arthritis, you take a painkiller. But you forget, these painkillers you consume for instant relief are very harmful to your body.
Why not try something natural at home, something which has no side effects. A quick solution to these problems is to take an Epsom Salt Bath.
What is Epsom Salt?
The name, Epsom, originated from a spring at Epsom in Surrey, England. The scientific name of Epsom is Magnesium Sulphate. Unlike table salt, Epsom salt is a blend of minerals, and it is called salt due to its chemical structure.
It is a remedy for many ailments and skin diseases. It is widely available in medical stores, grocery, and online stores.
How does it work?
In water, Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulphate. Magnesium helps to regulate the functions of various enzymes, reduces inflammation, helps in muscular and neural functions, and prevents artery hardening.
On the other hand, sulphate helps to detoxify skin, reduce migraine pain. So, the combination of these provides many health benefits.
Epsom Salt Benefits
- Reduces stress and helps the body to relax: Due to stress the body drains out of magnesium and increases the amount of adrenaline. When Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin, your body replenishes magnesium and in turn, improves sleep and concentration.
- Reduces pain and muscle cramps: Epsom salt act as an electrolyte in the body and thus helps to reduce muscle cramps and also helps in the proper function of the nerves.
- Prevents artery hardening: Epsom salt prevents many heart diseases by improving blood circulation in the body and preventing blood clots.
- Increases the effectiveness of insulin: By increasing the level of insulin, Epsom salt helps to reduce the risk of diabetes.
- Reduces constipation: Epsom salt helps to detoxify the colon. It acts as a laxative and hence reduces constipation. Related Topic: Essential Oils To Treat Constipation Problems.
- Eliminates toxins: The sulphate in Epsom salt removes harmful toxins from the body and thus prevents various bacterial and fungal diseases. For this Epsom salt detox bath is also used.
Uses of Epsom Salt Bath
It is mostly used as a natural treatment at home for the following:
- Arthritis pain
- Muscle cramps
- Bruises and sprains
- Sunburn
- Sore muscles
- Insomnia (lack of sleep)
- Fibromyalgia (affects muscles and soft tissues)
How to take an Epsom salt bath?
The Dos and Don’ts
- The water taken for the bath should be lukewarm water.
- Mix the Epsom salt while the water is running because it helps to dissolve the salt properly.
- For a standard bath size use 1-2 cups of the salt or as recommended by the doctor.
- For added benefits, you can add essential oils like lavender, peppermint or tea in the bath.
- Never use a hot tub.
- Stay in the bath for at least 12 minutes and relax.
What is Epsom Salt Detox?
The detox process removes harmful toxins from the body, unlike table salt. When Epsom salt is added to water, it acts as a detox, and its advantages are:
- Weight management
- Prevents muscle cramps
- Increased health by removing infections
- Reduces stress and helps to relax
Using detox therapy is an ancient practice for remedies to skin rashes and injuries.
Advantages of Epsom salt detox
- Softer Skin: Taking a detox bath softens skin, reduces inflammation and keeps the skin hydrated.
- Muscle Pain: Epsom salt detox treatment helps to reduce muscle cramps and muscle pain.
- Relaxation And Anti-Stress: The detox therapy helps to reduce stress which may occur due to magnesium deficiency.
- Laxative: Epsom salt can be used as a laxative for constipation relief.
- Ingrown Toenails: Epsom salt detox therapy can be used as a remedy to ingrown toenails. It reduces pain and inflammation.
- Splinters: Epsom salt detox treatment can remove tiny splinters.
- Magnesium Balance: Epsom salt detox can help to replenish magnesium in the body, especially in case of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is caused due to magnesium deficiency. It causes muscular pain especially in joints and mental distress.
Does Epsom salt work for weight loss?
- Till now, there is no such evidence that Epsom salt reduces body weight. One hour in an Epsom salt bath reduces 126 calories. This is similar to work out for 15-20 minutes. The weight loss due to this bath maybe because of the loss of water weight and also, sweating. But this is not a very good solution as it does not improve physical strength as in case of physical exercises.
- Drinking Epsom salt is usually not what doctors advise. Since on drinking Epsom salt, the weight loss will be due to loss of water weight and one will put on weight when he/she stops drinking it. Since it acts as a laxative as previously mentioned, drinking it may cause diarrhea.
Risks involved in taking an Epsom bath
An overdose of Epsom salt may cause the following:
- Lethargy
- Blurred vision
- Breathing issues
- Dizziness
- Urinary problems
- Slows heartbeat
- Weak muscles
Other benefits of Epsom salt
- It can be used as a scrub with liquid detergent to clean floor tiles.
- If you sprinkle Epsom salt, it prevents slugs.
- Epsom salt mixed with baby oil can be used as a hand sanitizer.
- Plant nutrient consists of magnesium and sulfur to keep them in good health. Since Epsom salt comprises of the primary nutrients, it makes the plant food more effective. If you sprinkle Epsom salt once weekly, it will help to nourish your plants.
- Epsom salt crystals, when added to the soil, prevent yellowing leaves and the loss of green color (magnesium is one of the essential element in the chlorophyll molecule) in plants. Mix Epsom salt in water and sprinkle it to your garden. It will help the plants to grow green.
- Epsom salt can also act as a pesticide and insecticide for your garden.
To conclude, we can safely consider Epsom salt as a boon when used correctly.
