Epsom salt is a magnesium sulfate compound. It has been used for hundreds of years as a healing agent and a pain reliever.
Epsom salt is used by many people who exercise regularly. It helps reduce soreness and cramping that may occur after strenuous workouts. Also is extremely helpful to those who are recovering from injuries - whether the injury be a result of exercise or not.
A lot of athletes utilize an Epsom salt bath after a workout, a deep tissue massage or when their muscles are sore or injured. Using Epsom salt after a massage is an excellent way to help relax the muscles and reduce any uncomfortable soreness that may occur.
As mentioned, Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. The magnesium in Epsom salt assists in relaxing your muscles while the sulfates help to draw toxins out of your body. All the toxins you can remove from your body, the better - this is because these toxins actually waste away your muscles while they are in the area where they accumulate.
It is important to remember that after using Epsom salt, you should drink plenty of water (at least 2 liters) afterward in order to flush out your system - otherwise it may cause serious illness. It is also important to remember that you should never use Epsom salt with Iodine - the combination of the two can cause harmful effects on your skin and body.
It is common knowledge that after a massage, it is beneficial and relaxing to soak in a tub of hot water. Using Epsom salt in this water will not only help to relax your muscles, but it will also cleanse your system out by flushing out toxins. It is important to remember that you should not use Epsom salt in any other water besides the water that is used for bathing; it can damage many different types of materials and surfaces.
What are the benefits of soaking in Epsom salt?
- Relaxes the muscles, relieves stress and helps with muscle fatigue and body aches
- Helps regulate blood pressure (mixed with water)
- Can help make constipation less frequent (mixed with water)
- Acts as a sleep aid (by adding to bathwater; effects wear off after 30 min.)
- Good for the kidneys, liver, brain and nervous system
- Can help eliminate mucus from the lungs in some cases (inhalation)
- Provides relief to those with psoriasis or dermatitis when applied topically
- Makes skin smooth and soft
- Magnesium sulfate also has a laxative effect because it increases the amount of water in your intestine. It also stimulates the colon's muscle cells, which encourages bowel movement (Dunkley, 2011).
There are many benefits in using Epsom salt, the most prominent of which is its physical and chemical properties.
One of the significant benefits of using Epsom salt is that it dissolves easily in water without affecting the pH balance or mineral contents of water. In addition, the resulting solution is dissociated into anions (negative ions) and cations (positive ions), both of which are incredibly beneficial to the body.
Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfate ions which can help relax stressed muscles and is also responsible for improving blood flow to the muscles. In addition, magnesium helps physiologically by activating vitamin D, a vital hormone responsible for bone and muscle growth and development. Apart from this, it also calms nerves and reduces depression.
Epsom salt is one of the most cost-effective means for treating various health problems because it is cheap and readily available. Furthermore, the effects can be felt after a single-use, unlike many other physiologically conservative methods such as physiotherapy or medication, which may take days to improve the patient's condition. In addition, it helps in soothing pain without the use of drugs.
Epsom salt is also used as an additive in bath water to help cure certain skin diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis by easing itching. It can also be used on eyelids to reduce puffiness around the eyes.
Even though using Epsom salt requires more time than other methods used to treat certain conditions, it is considered beneficial because the salts are absorbed slowly into the skin, allowing them to reach deeper layers of tissue.
Aside from its medical uses, Epsom salt is also used in cooking for various purposes. For example, it can be mixed with fruit juice or other drinks and added to cakes and cookies to make them moist. It is also used as a thickening agent in salad dressings and soups.
The salts can also be dissolved in water and sprayed on plants to kill specific insects which might attack the plant, such as aphids and spider mites.
Why Epsom salt is bad?
According to the renowned Cleveland Clinic In Ohio, Epsom salt is bad for people with severe skin inflammation or infection. No one with an open wound or a severe burn should use Epsom salt. They suggest if you have an open wound, consult your dermatologist before use.
While Epsom salt is generally safe, a few adverse effects can occur if you use it incorrectly. For example, consuming it may result in diarrhea, bloating, or upset stomach.
The presence of magnesium sulfate in the body can increase the risk of adverse reactions, such as dehydration or low blood pressure. Therefore, people with kidney disease should avoid using Epsom salt as a dietary supplement and should not use it as a bath soak, even though the salt is generally considered safe (Lundgren et al., 2006).
People have been bathing with Epsom salts for hundreds of years, but there is inconclusive scientific evidence as to whether or not it provides any health benefits. Always consult a physician or trusted health care provider.
This article is for information only.