I was contemplating what I should write about for this article. The ideas usually jump out at me when I'm discussing things with clients, colleagues or friends/family members. When an item peaks my interest, I think to myself "you know, if this person is asking about it, I'll bet other people are wondering too". I recently had a conversation with a client about why I give Epsom salts at the end of your massage treatments with me. I usually give a brief explanation after your first massage, but I usually leave the conversation there. Until recently, I had a moment when I realized I should put together an article to outline how Epsom salts work and provide more information for you so you can enjoy taking a nice long soak at the end of a long day. So here we are! (Please note the disclaimer at the bottom)
So, what are Epsom salts exactly?
They were first utilized from a bitter saline spring located in the town of Epsom (Surry, England). It is a mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Similar to table salt, Epsom salts are small crystals, and are odorless. In it's natural state, it acts as a drying agent, meaning that it pulls water from sources, even the air! (Have you ever noticed how the Epsom salts clump up a bit when not used?) When added to water, its breaks down to magnesium, sulfur and oxygen, ready to be absorbed.
What kind of Benefits can you achieve from taking an Epsom salts bath?
This can be a rather large list as Epsom salts tend to be a very useful and powerful tool!
Boost Magnesium Levels: magnesium plays many important roles in the body including muscle contraction, energy production and sending nerve impulses .
Reduces Stress: by helping to aid in tissue healing and repair, tension in the body will lower, calming your whole system down.
Lowers Inflammation: Since the salts attract water, they can pull water out of your body through reverse osmosis, which can help reduce pain caused by inflammation.
Now that you know what Epsom salts are and how they can affect the body, how can you use them?
This is my general guide for taking an Epsom salts bath:
Start filling your tub with comfortably warm water. Not too hot to burn your skin, and something that you can sit comfortably in.
Pour up to two cups of Epsom salts into the tub while it is running. The water pressure will help the salts to mix and dissolve.
Let you body soak in the bath for about 30 minutes to an hour.
Make sure you have some water beside the tub, as the salts will dehydrate your body quickly.
You may feel fatigued after your soak, so you may want to plan on doing the bath right before bed.
Alternatives:
Add some oil to the tub to moisturize your skin (I prefer organic coconut oil)
You may also add a few drops of essential oils to the salts or oil for some aromatherapy. By mixing the essential oil with a base, it will dissolve through the entire tub instead of in small spots. *Make sure to properly test your skin so you are aware of any sensitivities.
Using a smaller amount of Epsom salts, you can create a foot bath for an at-home spa treatment.
Can be mixed with a carrier lotion/oil to become a natural exfoliator.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so this information is meant as a general guide for the use of Epsom salts and should not be taken as a form of medical advice. Please speak to your doctor if you have any conditions (pregnancy, hearth pathologies, etc), that may complicate your health by taking an Epsom salts bath.
There you have it! I hope this article provided you with some new and insightful information about what Epsom salts are, and how you can use them.
Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have an awesome day!
References:
Axe, J. (2015, September 21). Epsom salt — the magnesium-rich, Detoxifying pain reliever - Dr. Axe. Retrieved March 2, 2017, from Brain Health, https://draxe.com/epsom-salt/
Magnesium sulfate (2017). . In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate
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