In all types of cultures, Epsom salt has been used and touted for its health and healing properties. Though it has been used for cleaning and also gardening, Epsom salt is great to help detoxify the body. Not only is it beneficial, it’s relatively easy to find and purchase and many people buy it in bulk.
Epsom salt comes from a spring that is located in Surrey, England. When compared to traditional or standard salt, Epsom salt contains a certain compound of sulfate and magnesium. Both of these minerals can help boost the detoxification process for the body.
How do Epsom salt baths work?
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It absorbs minerals and removes unwanted toxins on a daily basis. When Epsom salt is added to a bath, the process, reverse osmosis occurs. What this means is that the salt will draw out the harmful and unwanted toxins from the body. This then allows the sulfate and magnesium minerals to be absorbed by the body.
You may wonder why magnesium and sulfate are so important. Well, magnesium can help to improve both nerve and muscle function. It also can help to enhance blood circulation and even reduce any inflammation. When it comes to sulfates, the body needs this to help build tissue and also maintain the joints. When a person takes an Epsom salt bath, they are essentially replenishing the body’s levels of this mineral compound.
With the regular use of Epsom salts in baths, a person can experience an improvement in many types of ailments such as soreness of the muscles, sprains, athlete’s foot, even nail fungus. People who have chronic pains or inflammation can find Epsom bath salts very soothing and relieving since it will reduce inflammation and improve levels of both magnesium and sulfates in the body.
If you are pregnant, suffer from dehydration, or have any type of open cuts, wounds, or severe burns, it would be best to consult your doctor to see if Epsom salt baths are safe for you. Also, those who deal with any type of heart disease should also speak with a doctor first before partaking in these baths.
How to have an Epsom bath?
This bath should be taken when you have some free time. You will need at the minimum, 40 minutes to full reap all the benefits. The first 20 minutes are needed to remove toxins and the other 20 minutes will be when the body will draw in the minerals of the Epsom salts.
Follow these simple directions for a soothing and detoxifying Epsom salt bath:
- Fill your tub with warm to lukewarm water. It’s best that this water is filtered to remove harmful ingredients such as fluoride, chlorine, and dioxins.
- Add the Epsom salt according to your weight. For those between 60 to 100 pounds, it should be a cup. Keep adding a half a cup for every 50 pounds. If you want to give your child an Epsom salt bath, only use half a cup if the child is under 60 pounds.
- You can also add your favorite oils to help moisturize the skin. The oils will also give an added antioxidants.
