Epsom Salt Baths - A Blissful Water Experience
Whether you’re seeking to alleviate the discomfort of body aches and pains, or a way to unwind from daily stress, an Epsom salt detox might be the perfect remedy for you. An Epsom salt detox is a warm bath with Epsom salts that help improve the body’s natural detoxification process and promote healing.
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It is believed the combination of these ingredients stimulates detoxification pathways. The theory is that during an Epsom salt detox, the magnesium dissolves into the bath water, and is absorbed in the body through the pores of the skin providing an array of different health benefits.
What are the Benefits?
Mood & Emotions:
Warm baths have been used for century as a means to reduce stress and promote better sleep. A warm bath combined with Magnesium serves as calming tonic on the nervous system. It is believed that Epsom salts can help stabilize mood, relieve stress, anxiety and depression. Researches are suggesting that taking Magnesium can increase serotonin (happiness hormone) in the brain.
(Eby, G. A., 3rd, & Eby, K. L. (2010). Magnesium for treatment-resistant depression: a review and hypothesis. Medical hypotheses, 74(4), 649–660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2009.10.051)
Muscle Spasms:
Magnesium plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes. This is a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm. For this reason, Epson salts can provide great relief when it comes to calming down convulsions and spasms. What is most impressive is how quickly tight muscles feel relief from discomfort by taking an Epsom salts bath. This is because we typically get magnesium through diet. However all foods go through the digestive process before ending up in the cells we need it to in order to feel relief. An Epsom salts bath skips digestion, and the magnesium absorbs directly into the muscles! Many marathon runners, cross-fit trainers and athletes make this part of their routine. However if you sit at a desk, have a stressful job or are on your feet all day long; this could benefit your muscles too!
Skin:
The bathwater from Epsom salt can soften dry skin and exfoliate dead skin cells. It can be very nourishing on the skin and soothe skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Take a handful of Epsom salts, and gently rub in on your skin to exfoliate. Be sure to rinse it off thoroughly before finishing your bath.
Final Thoughts:
More research needs to be done to prove the detoxifying effects of Epsom salt baths. With this being said, people who use Epsom salt baths believe in their benefits, such as relaxation, pain relief, and softening the skin. So turn on some relaxing music, light a candle, and climb into your tub. Soak in the Epsom salt bath for about 12 to 20 minutes. Adding Epsom salt to your bath can be the healthy relaxation routine that you never even knew you needed.
Need some guidance on an Epsom Salts Bath? Download this Infographic guide!
