The Wonderful Benefits of an Epsom Salts Bath

Before I begin, just a word of caution: If you are pregnant or have any health concerns, check with your doctor before using Epsom Salts.

What is Epsom Salts?
Epsom Salts is named after the town Epsom in Surrey, England, where it was first discovered. The original wells have not been used for many years. It was later discovered that magnesium sulphate (its scientific name) could also be found naturally in mines and limestone caves – which is where it comes from today. Epsom Salts is therefore, not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulphate. It has been long known as a natural remedy for a number of ailments, as well as many beauty, household and gardening-related uses. It is popular with all sportsmen as it helps to ease to ease aches and pains after a training session.
Magnesium and sulphate are both easily absorbed through the skin. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulphates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help ease migraine headaches.
Some health benefits of using Epsom Salt:
It eases stress and relaxes the body: Stress drains the body of magnesium and increases levels of adrenaline. When dissolved in warm water, Epsom Salts is absorbed through the skin and replenishes the level of magnesium in the body. The magnesium helps to produce serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Magnesium ions also relax and reduce irritability by lowering the effects of adrenaline. They create a relaxed feeling, improve sleep and concentration, and help muscles and nerves to function properly.
It relieves pain and muscle cramps: An Epsom Salts bath is known to ease pain and relieve inflammation, which assists in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma and migraine headaches.
It eliminates toxins from the body: The sulphates in Epsom Salts help flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances. Your skin is a highly porous membrane, by adding the right minerals to your bathwater a process called reverse osmosis is triggered. Reverse osmosis, pulls salt out of your body, and harmful toxins along with it. For a detoxifying bath, at least once weekly add two cups of Epsom Salts to the water in a bathtub and soak for 10 minutes. Do not wash with regular soap as this will interfere with the action of the Epsom Salts. One can take a shower afterwards to wash off any sweat one has built up as the body has eliminated the toxins.
It is best to have a soak in Epsom Salts at night as it has a relaxing effect on the body which can aid in a good night’s rest.

Other benefits of Epsom Salts:

• Soak feet in an Epsom Salts to help relieve the symptoms of Athlete’s Foot.
• Soak affected skin area in an Epsom Salts bath to draw out the splinter.
• Add 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak to reduce the pain and swelling of sprains and bruises.
• In the shower or bath, mix a handful of Epsom Salts with a tablespoon of bath or olive oil and rub all over your wet skin to exfoliate and soften. Rinse thoroughly.
• For Bouncy Hair: Epsom Salts will soak up excess oil from the hair. Just add a handful when you shampoo and wash as normal. Hair will look fuller and feel softer, and the minerals will help to repair and strengthen heat-damaged ends. It’s particularly good for smoothing frizz out of curls.