Baths can be therapeutic and cleansing. The utility reason people take them is to clean off the dirt and stink of the day. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the act of bathing. You can grab a book, light some candles, pour a glass of wine, and put on your favorite slow music. You could also add some Epsom salt. Why would you want to do that? Read on to find out.
1. Restore your magnesium
By far the most useful reason to take an Epsom salt bath is to help restore your magnesium. According to studies, stress can decrease your magnesium levels. Combine that with the staggering number of people who already don’t get enough of it in their diet and you have a populace of those who are magnesium deficient. Epsom salt baths can help that and thus it promotes relaxation, good health, and even helps improve your mood.
2. Get your detox on
Taking an Epsom salt bath is a great addition to your detox regimen or just as a general detox. The sulfates in Epsom salt help draw the toxins and heavy metals out of your body which can also help improve health and promote a general feeling of wellness.
3. Make your skin softer and smoother
The exfoliating qualities in Epsom salt makes it a great home remedy for rough, dry skin. This is especially useful for people who have skin conditions like eczema. Much like everything else about these wonderful salts, it can promote wellness and help improve conditions.
4. Help get over certain diseases
Some diseases like athlete’s foot, gout, and toenail fungus have been shown to improve with the use of Epsom salt. These are uncomfortable conditions that can take a lot of time to heal. Especially athlete’s foot and toenail fungus because your feet spend all day in shoes and socks. Anything to help these sorts of conditions out are always a good idea.
5. Reduce pain caused by inflammation
Between Epsom salt and the warm water of the bath itself, you can help reduce pain caused by inflammation. Whether it’s a strain or a sprain, a bruise, or other minor injuries that are caused by inflammation. It can also help with general muscle soreness caused by things like exercise or other extraneous exertions.
6. Improve your sulfate levels
As we mentioned earlier, Epsom salt has sulfates. Not only do these help extract toxins from your body but they can also help promote wellness. When absorbed through the skin, sulfates can promote good skin, joint, and nervous system tissue.
7. It can help constipation
A home remedy that people have used for decades is to take a little bit of Epsom salt to help relieve stubborn bowels. Since we’ve established that most of the minerals in Epsom salt can be absorbed into the body, the minerals are still reaching your blood stream. If you’re a little constipated then taking a nice soak in an Epsom bath can help straighten you out. Epsom salts can be taken internally, but ONLY on the advice of a physician.
8. Epsom salt can volumize your hair
While you’re in the bath, why not give your hair a dunk in the bath water? Epsom salt’s exfoliating properties also work with your hair. The minerals can condition your hair and help with the removal of oils that make your hair greasy. I don’t think it works as well as your regular conditioner but the battle to keep your hair beautiful is an every day battle. Why not give yourself every advantage?
9. Relieve bed bug bites and bee stings
The anti-inflammatory properties in Epsom salt also works to relieve maladies caused by bugs. Bed bug bites itch like you wouldn’t believe and bee stings can be obnoxious and painful. The anti-inflammatory properties as well as the exfoliating properties can scrub the area clean and reduce the inflammation. This can relieve pain and itching too!
10. A cheap mani-pedi while you bathe
A cheap way to do a mani-pedi is to use Epsom salt. Since you’ll be soaking in a whole bath of it, why not give your fingers and toes some love while you’re in there? If you soak them for a bit, then clean them off, cut them, and file them and soak again, it’s pretty close to the feeling you get from a mani-pedi.
11. Improve your facial
Sometimes a fun idea is to slip into a nice hot bath and put a mask on to help get those pores clean. If you add a little Epsom salt to it you can use the detox and exfoliating properties to make your mask more effective. Your body gets detox and exfoliation so why not your face too?
How to use Epsom salt
Okay when you do an Epsom salt bath you shouldn’t overdo it. Here are some quick instructions on how much you should add to your bath.
Children under 60 lbs: Add 1/2 cup of salts to a standard size bath
Individuals between 60-100 lbs: Add 1 cup of salts to a standard size bath
Individuals between 100-150 lbs: Add 1 1/2 cup of salts to a standard size bath
Individuals between 150-200 lbs: Add 2 cups of salts to a standard size bath
For every 50lbs larger – add in an additional 1/2 cup of salts.
These days with everything causing health problems, it’s good to find nice, simple ways to add some health benefits for once. Epsom salt is relatively inexpensive and you don’t need to cook it, or exercise, or do anything ridiculous to get the health benefits. You dump it in water and sit in it for a little while. Nice and easy but make sure you don’t overdo it!
Featured photo credit: Just Health via just-health.net
