Epsom salt is a popular remedy for many ailments. It can be used to alleviate health problems as well as in beauty treatments. Here’s why you should stock up on Epsom salt.
Epsom salt is a real trend in the field of beauty and a healthy lifestyle, and the scope of its application is truly impressive.
Epsom salts are an affordable and harmless product for relieving muscle pain, relieving stress, and even losing weight. We have looked at all the nuances of using Epsom, as well as the pros, cons, and side effects of this tool to improve well-being.
What is Epsom salt?
Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. It is a chemical compound consisting of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It takes its name from Epsom, Surrey, UK, where it was originally discovered. Despite its name, Epsom salt is a completely different compound than regular salt. Most likely, it was called salt only because of its chemical structure.
In appearance, Epsom is similar to table salt. Because of this, it is often used during water procedures and is called bath salt. In fact, Epsom salts are quite bitter and unpleasant in taste. However, some people still use it inside, dissolving in water and drinking. However, due to the taste, despite all the benefits, it is impossible to use Epsom salts in cooking.
Epsom salt has been used for hundreds of years to treat ailments such as constipation, insomnia, and fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, its effect on these conditions is not well understood.
Most of the claimed benefits of Epsom salts are due to their magnesium content, a mineral that many of us don’t get enough of.
How does Epsom salt work?
When Epsom salt dissolves in water, magnesium and sulfate ions are released. It is believed that these particles can be absorbed through the skin, providing the body with magnesium and sulfates that perform important bodily functions. Nevertheless, at the moment, scientists do not have convincing evidence that magnesium or sulfates are absorbed into the body through the skin.
Most often, this salt is used during bathing: a large amount of it (about 400–500 grams) must be dissolved in warm water. Sometimes a concentrated solution of Epsom salts is applied to the skin as a cosmetic and taken orally as a magnesium supplement or in larger quantities as a laxative.
Proven Health Benefits of Epsom Salt
Epsom salts are believed to have therapeutic properties. Because of this, a number of medical professionals (most often followers of non-traditional teachings) use Epsom salt as an alternative remedy for the treatment of diseases.
Epsom salt provides the body with magnesium
Magnesium is considered the fourth most important mineral in the body. It is involved in over 325 biochemical reactions that benefit the heart and nervous system.
Many people do not consume enough magnesium. Even if you monitor the level of this component, metabolic processes can affect how magnesium is absorbed by the body. In addition, some experts claim that magnesium is better absorbed during a bath than if taken orally, but this fact is not widely known evidence.
Promotes quality sleep and stress reduction
Adequate levels of magnesium in the body are needed to improve sleep and reduce stress, probably because magnesium helps the brain produce neurotransmitters that improve these factors. Magnesium also helps produce the “sleep hormone” melatonin.
Low magnesium levels can negatively impact sleep quality and stress levels. But in the case of Epsom salts, it is more likely that the calming effect is due simply to the relaxation caused by taking hot baths.
Helps with constipation
Magnesium is often used to treat constipation. Magnesium is most commonly taken orally to relieve constipation in the form of magnesium citrate or magnesium hydroxide. However, taking Epsom salt is also believed to be effective, although not well understood. In a number of countries, Epsom salts are on the list of approved laxatives.
Salt can be taken orally with water, according to the instructions on the package. Adults are usually advised to take 2-6 teaspoons (10-30 grams) of Epsom salts at a time, mixed with a glass of water. The laxative effect occurs after 30 minutes – to 6 hours. However, be aware that Epsom salts can cause unpleasant side effects such as bloating and loose stools. Epsom salts as a laxative should be used occasionally, in emergency situations. And it is better under the recommendation of the doctor.
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Exercise efficiency and recovery
It is believed that taking Epsom salt baths can help reduce muscle soreness and cramps after workouts and get in shape faster for new physical activities.
Of course, magnesium does help the body to tolerate exercise more easily, as well as absorb glucose and lactic acid. In addition, relaxing in a hot bath does reduce muscle pain, but there is no reliable evidence that absorption of magnesium is possible through the skin.
People who are professionally involved in sports tend to have a deficiency of magnesium in the body. And most often, doctors prescribe them to take magnesium supplements inside. If you’re looking to boost your magnesium levels too, don’t count on the full benefits of hot Epsom salt baths. Start taking magnesium supplements, but only after consulting a specialist.
Reducing pain and swelling
Another common claim is that Epsom salt helps reduce pain and swelling. Many people report that taking Epsom salt baths improves symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Magnesium baths are considered helpful in these cases, as many people with fibromyalgia and arthritis are deficient in magnesium. And by the way, one study in 15 women with fibromyalgia found that applying magnesium chloride to the skin could be helpful in reducing symptoms. However, these results are considered too small and not well-tested to support evidence of benefit from Epsom magnesium salt concentrate.
Safety and Side Effects
While Epsom salt is generally safe, there are several negative effects that can occur if used incorrectly, all of which relate to the ingestion of salt.
First, as we have already said, magnesium sulfate can have a laxative effect. Its use can lead to diarrhea, bloating, or indigestion.
If you are using Epsom salts as a laxative, drink as much water as possible to reduce GI discomfort. Also, never take more than the recommended dose without first consulting your doctor. Some cases of magnesium overdose have been reported when people took too much Epsom salt. Overdose symptoms include nausea, headache, dizziness, and skin redness. In extreme cases, an overdose of magnesium can lead to heart problems, coma, paralysis, and death. But this is unlikely if you take the remedy in the appropriate amounts recommended by your doctor or indicated on the package. If you experience signs of an allergic reaction or other serious side effects after taking Epsom salt, contact your doctor immediately.
How to use Epsom salt
Here are some of the most common ways to use Epsom salt.
Bath salt
Most often, Epsom salts are added to bathwater. Pour 2 cups (about 400-500 grams) of Epsom salts into hot water and take a bath for about 15 minutes. As we’ve said before, hot baths can be relaxing, but there’s currently no conclusive evidence for a greater benefit from Epsom salt baths.
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The beauty
Epsom salt can be used as a cosmetic product for skin and hair. To use it as an exfoliator, simply take the granules in your hand, moisten and rub them into the skin.
- Some internet users claim that salt can be used as a pore cleanser. To do this, mix 0.5 teaspoons of Epsom salts with your usual cleanser and apply the mixture to the skin with massaging movements.
- You can also add Epsom salts to your conditioner to add volume to your hair. To do this, mix equal parts conditioner and Epsom salt. Apply the mixture to your hair and leave for 20 minutes, then rinse.
- In general, these uses of Epsom salts are not supported by any research and work in much the same way as adding table or sea salt to your beauty routine. So it’s not worth betting on the miraculous effect of Epsom.
Laxative
And again, more about this method. Epsom salts can be taken orally as a magnesium supplement or as a laxative. Most brands recommend taking 2-6 teaspoons (10-30 grams) of Epsom salts daily, mixed with water. Children usually need 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 grams). However, it is undesirable to use the supplement without a doctor’s recommendation – especially in an amount above the norm.
If you want to try taking Epsom salt by mouth, start the process slowly. Try 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 grams) at a time and gradually increase the dose as needed.
Remember that magnesium needs are different for everyone. You may need more or less than the recommended dose, depending on how your body reacts to the supplement and what exactly you are using it for.
Also, when using Epsom salts internally, make sure you use pure Epsom salts that do not contain any flavoring or coloring agents.
