Unveiling the Wonders of Epsom Salts: Health Benefits & Well-Being Boosters
Epsom salts, also known as magnesium sulphate, are a natural wonder packed with loads of health benefits.
Sourced from underground deposits, these fabulous salts have been used for donkey’s years to sort out all sorts of health niggles and boost overall well-being.
In this post, we’ll have a good chat about the many perks of Epsom salts and how they can help you feel your absolute best.
Epsom Salt Bath Benefits
Below are several potential benefits of epsom salts, some anecdotal and some that have been recorded in studies;
Does Epsom Salt Help You Sleep
Epsom salts are especially beneficial for those struggling with sleep.
The magnesium in the salts can be absorbed through the skin via a transdermal process.
If you’re thinking “what does transdermal mean?”, you can follow the link to read our post about it.
Taking a soak in an Epsom salt bath can help balance melatonin levels, the hormone responsible for managing our sleep and wake cycles.
Low magnesium levels are linked to insomnia, making Epsom salts a valuable addition to your bedtime routine.
For optimal sleep benefits, dissolve 1-2 cups of salts in a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes before bed.
Epsom Salt for Magnesium Deficiencies
Magnesium is essential for many bodily functions like muscle and nerve function, energy production, and maintaining a generally healthy immune system.
However, unfortunately many people in the UK & USA are magnesium deficient due to poor diet or inadequate absorption.
Epsom salt baths offer an effective way to increase magnesium levels through the skin, to support overall health.
Epsom Salt for Eczema
Eczema is a common & unfortunate skin condition affecting people of all ages, causing inflammation, itching, redness, and sometimes dry, cracked skin.
Epsom salt baths, soaps, and shower gels provide a soothing solution for eczema sufferers.
The salts anti-inflammatory properties offer relief for irritated skin, while the magnesium content promotes skin health and hydration.
Adding Epsom salt products into your daily skincare routine may actually alleviate some eczema discomfort and aid the skin’s natural healing process.
Epsom Salt and Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition that brings about widespread aches, weariness, and sensitivity in muscles and joints, often making everyday life quite the challenge for those touched by it.
Natural remedies like Epsom salts, magnesium flakes, and magnesium spray provide relief.
Soaking in a hot bath with 1-2 cups of Epsom salts or magnesium flakes can reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
The magnesium content also helps relax muscles and promote calmness.
Using magnesium spray on tender areas offers targeted relief, further easing symptoms.
Regular self care with these products can significantly improve the quality of life for those poor individuals that have to live with fibromyalgia.
You can find out the differences between epsom salt vs magnesium flakes.
Muscle & Joint Recovery
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts often use Epsom salts for muscle and joint recovery after intense workouts.
The magnesium in the salts reduces cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone, promoting relaxation and enhancing the body’s natural recovery process.
A warm bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts can ease muscle soreness and improve sleep quality, further supporting recovery.
Are Epsom Salts Good for Arthritis?
Arthritis is a painful condition that is caused by an increase in inflammation, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.
It affects many people and can significantly impact daily activities, overall well-being, and quality of life.
Epsom salts offer a natural and effective remedy to manage arthritis symptoms and provide relief.
Soaking in a hot bath with 1-2 cups of lavender epsom salts every other day relaxes muscles, increases circulation, and eases stiffness.
Regular use of magnesium spray on affected areas can help reduce joint pain and improve mobility, providing a holistic approach to arthritis relief.
Are Epsom Salts Good for Acne?
Acne can be a persistent and tricky skin issue to tackle. Thankfully, Epsom salt based products like soap and shower gel offer a natural and effective way to help acne-prone skin.
Epsom salts are packed with magnesium and sulfate, which possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can ease redness, swelling and bacterial growth linked to acne flare-ups.
Adding Epsom salt soap or epsom salt shower gel to your daily skincare routine is a gentle approach to harness their acne fighting benefits.
To use these products, gently massage them onto your damp face, being careful to steer clear of the eye area, and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
For the best outcome, use these Epsom salt infused items once a day or as needed, depending on your skin’s sensitivity.
Bear in mind that individual results may differ, and it’s always a good idea to consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional before introducing new treatments or products to your skincare routine, particularly if you have acne prone skin.
Epsom Salt Psoriasis Relief
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition causing rapid skin cell buildup, resulting in red, scaly patches.
Epsom salts can provide relief with their anti-inflammatory properties and high magnesium content that supports skin health, improves hydration, and promotes the removal of dead skin cells.
Adding 1-2 cups of Epsom salts to a warm bath and soaking yourself for anywhere between 15-20 minutes, can sometimes help reduce some of the annoying itching and discomfort associated with psoriasis.
Combining Epsom salt baths with Epsom salt soap can further enhance the benefits, gently exfoliating and soothing the skin.
It’s crucial to moisturise after each bath to lock in hydration and maintain skin barrier function.
Just make sure that you always have a chat with a healthcare professional in the NHS before starting any new treatment for psoriasis, as individual needs may vary.
Epsom Salt Bath for Stress Relief
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but prolonged exposure can lead to various health issues.
Epsom salt baths can play a vital role in stress reduction, thanks to the magnesium content.
Magnesium helps regulate stress hormones like cortisol, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
A soothing bath with 1-2 cups of Epsom salts can provide a calming experience that helps relieve stress and tension.
In addition to magnesium, numerous Epsom salt products also feature soothing essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus, providing an extra layer of relaxation and stress relief to unwind with.
These aromatherapeutic scents are believed to have calming effects on the mind, contributing to a more peaceful and restorative bath experience.
Incorporating Epsom salt baths into your self care routine can help manage stress and promote overall well-being.
Epsom Salt Body Scrub
Epsom salts can be used as a cost effective, gentle body scrub to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin.
The natural skin caring properties of Epsom salts make them ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Using Epsom salt soap or mixing Epsom salts with a carrier oil creates an effective exfoliating scrub that can help slough off dead skin cells and reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Mental Health
Epsom salt baths can work wonders for mental well-being by fostering a sense of relaxation and peace.
The comforting effects of essential oils, often found in Epsom salt products, meld beautifully with the soothing embrace of a warm bath to alleviate anxiety and lift spirits.
Plus, the magnesium in Epsom salts offers a calming touch to the body, further enhancing mental health.
Epsom Salt for Constipation
Epsom salts are known to assist some people with constipation.
Acting as a laxative, they can attract water into the colon, which softens the stool and encourages bowel movements.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to seek advice from a healthcare professional before utilising Epsom salts for this reason, as there isn’t a specific established treatment for it.
Summary
Epsom salts provide a variety of health perks, such as improved sleep, stress reduction, relief from skin issues, and muscle recovery support.
It’s vital to make self care a priority and set aside time for personal wellness.
Epsom salts, an inexpensive and natural option, can leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Keep in mind that discovering the perfect product and routine may take a bit of experimentation, but given the multitude of benefits Epsom salts offer, it’s definitely worthwhile to explore what suits you best.