Have you ever wondered about the benefits of soaking in Epsom Salt?
If you are keen on the health and wellness topic chances are that you have. But I bet you didn’t know that taking Epsom Salt baths could hide such a plethora of healthy perks both for the mind and for the body.
There is a common misconception related to many herbs and salts that they have effect only when taken internally.
In fact, some of them are even more powerful when applied transdermally, through the skin.
This is the case with the popular natural remedy, the so-called Epsom Salt, also known as Magnesium Sulfate.
In the beginner’s guide to sensory deprivation, we’ve partially mentioned the health benefits of bathing in Epsom Salt. Now we will go deeper in order to gain a better understanding of how soaking in Magnesium Sulfate could significantly enhance our well-being.
But just before that…
Some History
The discovery of Epsom Salt dates from the early 17th century when in the English town of Epsom a local cattleman bumped into a salty pool of water from which his animals refused to drink.
Later on, he was amazed to find out that the wounds of the animals who stepped into the water were healing quicker than ever before.
The cattleman immediately spread the word about the miraculous effects of that water which contained the chemical element Magnesium Sulfate or MgSO4.
That is also how the small town of Epsom became a famous spa center and plenty of people from all over England traveled to the city in order to experience the healing power of the water. In the beginning, it was mainly used for relieving the symptoms of gouts but many used it for detoxification as well.
Since then and with the continuous advancement of the science and the medicine, it came to everyone’s knowledge that the Epsom Salt had numerous benefits for one’s health.
Without a further ado, let’s explore some of them.
Benefits of Soaking in Epsom Salt
Relieves Pain and Muscle Tension
It is scientifically proven that the magnesium and the sulfate have a direct effect on the nerve system, the muscles, and the brain.
Enhancing bone mineralization, the magnesium is one of the most plentiful elements in the human cells. Its deficiency could lead to various illnesses such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and cardiac diseases.
Many athletes float in tanks full of Epsom Salt water as part of their training and recovery because the magnesium is known to reduce the brain chemical ‘NMDA’ which triggers pain in the nervous system.
The magnesium sulfate also successfully treats inflammation in the joints and twisted ankles. This remarkable element is crucial for reducing the lactic acid which causes post-exercise pain in the muscles.
So bathing in Epsom Salt once or twice a week is strongly recommended for everyone who is physically involved in any sport.
Heals Gout
For those of you that don’t know, the gout is a special and very nasty type of arthritis that often hits the smaller bones of the feet.
Its formation is the result of the accumulation of uric acid (it comes from various foods) in the joints. Often, gout provokes severe pain and discoloration of the joints.
So how the Epsom Salt can help in battling this annoying disease?
The answer is pretty straightforward – by the use of magnesium and sulfate. When absorbed through the skin these elements can decrease the inflammation and reduce the pain in a great way.
Not only that but soaking the affected joints in a warm water full of Epsom Salt controls the secretion of uric acid which is crucial for fighting this insidious illness.
Reduces Stress
It is an undeniable fact that the stress kills people every day. Dealing with it in the proper way is an important factor in preserving both our physical and mental health.
I can bet that only the thought of taking a hot bath has a positive effect on the brain and the stress slowly begins to diminish.
The presence of Epsom Salt in the warm water can significantly help in relieving the tension. When the magnesium ions penetrate in our body through the skin, this produces the chemical serotonin in the brain thus reducing the adrenaline effects.
Soaking in an Epsom Salt water twice per week has an immediate effect on the regulation of the stress levels that we endure every day.
Prevents Heart Diseases
If I mentioned here just a tiny part of the horrific statistics in relation to the heart illnesses and how many people die from them on a daily basis, you would exit this website immediately.
Instead, let’s focus on the main topic. The Magnesium Sulfate is known to regulate the blood pressure and to prevent the formation of blood clots.
In addition, it stimulates the blood circulation and flushes the body cells from contamination, which battles cardio-vascular diseases.
Regularly taking baths in a floatation tank full of Magnesium Sulfate would greatly help in keeping the heart in a good shape.
Migraine, go away!
By now, you should have understood how truly miraculous the use of Epsom Salt could be.
But that is far from being all. The powerful compound Magnesium Sulfate turns out to be a universal weapon of illness destruction. One of its victims is the migraines.
It is medically proven that even when taken through the skin (which is, by the way, the biggest organ in the human body), the magnesium has a pain relieving effect on migraine sufferers.
That is why taking hot baths in a water full of Epsom Salt is a natural remedy that can quickly release the pulsating pain in the head caused by migraine.
It Increases the Energy Levels
One of the main pros of the use of Magnesium Sulfate is its ability to supplement the cells with energy.
In that way, we feel more invigorated and experience higher levels of liveliness.
Taking Epsom Salt baths 2-3 times per week or just floating in a sensory deprivation tank relaxes the body and the mind and at the same time, it creates an extra boost of energy.
We all need that, don’t we?
Your Hair Will Love It
It is a well-known fact that the regular (and inevitable) treatment of the hair with different shampoos and soaps exhausts the hair.
The artificial ingredients found in these products damage the hair and the skin of the head.
The minerals in the Epsom Salt are a natural cure for repairing it. It is also used for oily hair and it is good for the health of the scalp skin tissue.
Because of its rejuvenating powers, the Magnesium Sulfate is commonly used by people with damaged hair. Are you one of them?
Don’t Forget the Beauty Benefits
Have you ever thought about taking a good care of your skin? I admit that I haven’t. But that’s just me.
Because of the environment surrounding us, it is true that the skin pores quickly get full of dirt which results in the apparition of various nasty and bad looking pimples. It is also true that no one likes that. We, the men hate them, let alone the women.
Here comes again the Epsom Salt which can help in that too. The Magnesium Sulfate exfoliates the skin, thus purifying it and removing the dead cells. The result is a soft, velvety skin that shines.
And taking a good care of the skin is important for the overall health.
It Eases the Symptoms of Flu
No one likes being sick and having a high temperature. That combined with coughing and sore throat can effortlessly break our everyday routine and mess up our plans for a long time. Been there, done that.
Taking a hot bath in a water full of Epsom Salt can have a quick relieving effect and successfully battles flu and cough. The minerals in the Magnesium Sulfate know their job and you will feel the relief almost immediately.
When I was little I was regularly sick. My parents used to soak my feet in a hot water full of salts and I remember how beneficial that was for my overall well-being.
It Stimulates the Sleep
Floating in a water full of Epsom Salt is a great way to enhance the quality of your sleep. The minerals in the Magnesium Sulfate have a calming effect on our body and brain, thus stimulating a good night’s rest.
That is why it is a natural remedy for everyone suffering from any kind of sleep disorder. The small compounds found in the Magnesium Sulfate are known to reduce the adrenaline levels and serve as a shield that prevents the stress hormones from penetrating in the brain.
That means a better sleep which results in better health and lifestyle.
Conclusion
It is not a secret that taking a lot of pills and various medicaments is bad not only for the kidneys and the liver but for the entire body.
That is why more and more people turn into the usage of natural remedies that can help in fighting different illnesses.
The Epsom Salt is such a wonderful natural cure that not only can battle diseases but it has the power to prevent them.
Its benefits are scientifically proven and undisputed. The magnesium regulates thousands of enzymes and participates in numerous bodily functions.
The sulfate (not the synthetic one of course) has purifying effects on the skin and helps in with the detoxification of the human organism.
So floating in a tank full of Epsom Salt or simply dissolving it in your hot bathtub can literally change your life no matter how grand-sounding that may seem.
Like they say when the facts speak even the Gods are silent.
Sources:
Another interesting benefit of Epsom Salt baths is regarding weight loss. When you exercise to lose weight, your muscles get store and soaking in an Epsom Salt bath is a great way to sooth sore muscles. However, the big benefit is a hot Epsom Salt bath can actually get some of that “hard to get rid of” water weight out of your body.
Even Dr. Oz swears by taking an Epsom Salt bath nightly when you’re trying to lose weight.
Hey Dave,
The Epsom Salt is a wonderful natural remedy. It is surprising how it can help in battling so many different illnesses.Good to know that it is effective for weight loss.
Asen,
Good article. I was aware of some of the benefits of Epsom salts and even knew of the history. What really caught my attention was the information about Migraines. I have the Stress Tension Sinus Cluster variety and recently have started another series. After reading this, I will be trying the hot soak and see if I can get some relief. Thanks!
Hi Sanders,
Yes, it is true that the floatation therapy can heal and prevent migraines. Luckily, I don’t suffer from migraines but I know people who do and the symptoms seem to go away after several float sessions.
Great article it was really good to read and very informative, would share this information to my near ones. would visit your page again for more useful information.
I have suffered from migraine for many years , i wish i knew about this before.
Hi Shan,
Thank you very much for stopping by. Indeed it is very surprising to learn about the plethora of benefits that the Epsom Salt has.