What Is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt derives its name from a bitter saline spring located at Epsom in Surrey, England, where the compound was first distilled from water. It’s different from traditional salts because it’s actually a mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. It was originally prepared from mineral water, but today it’s mainly obtained from mining operations.
The chemical formula for magnesium sulfate is MgSO4. That means it can actually be broken down into magnesium and sulfate, which is a combination of sulfur and oxygen. The salt consists of small, colourless crystals and looks similar to table salt. However, table salt is completely different from Epsom salt since it consists of sodium chloride.?
How does Epsom Salt work?
It contains magnesium, a mineral that is crucial to the human body’s functioning. Some of the key roles of magnesium include keeping blood pressure in the normal range, keeping heart rhythm steady and maintaining bone strength.
The other main ingredient, sulfate, is an essential mineral key to many biological processes. It helps flush toxins, cleanse the liver and assists in the formation of proteins in joints and brain tissue.
The top Benefits of Epsom Salt
This is the list for external not internal use of Epsom Salt.
1. Boosts Magnesium Levels
Appropriate levels of magnesium are absolutely key to good health, but it is very common to have insufficient magnesium. Alcoholism, severe diarrhoea, and a poor diet can contribute towards hypomagnesemia or low levels of magnesium. By simply soaking your feet or entire body in a bath containing Epsom salts, you can increase internal levels of magnesium naturally without the need to take magnesium supplements.
Magnesium regulates over 300 enzymes in the body and plays an important role in organizing many bodily functions. These vital functions including muscle control, energy production, electrical impulses and elimination of harmful toxins. Magnesium deficiencies are associated with a number of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.)
By boosting your internal magnesium levels through external use of Epsom salt, you can help improve or ward off many avoidable health ailments.
2. Reduces Stress
This is a very important one, as stress is the precursor to so many chronic illnesses.
Everyone has heard of the recommendation to have a good soak in a warm bath after a rough day. Whether it’s rough mentally, physically or both, a hot (again, not too hot) bath is such a great way to relieve stress.
If you want to amplify the stress-reducing benefits of a nice, long soak, then add a cup or two of Epsom salt to your bathwater. Not only does the magnesium help relax your muscles but it can also help relax your mind. Combine this with the relaxing properties of so many of our essential oils and you have a truly powerful self-healing tool at your disposal.
According to research from the University of North Carolina, hypomagnesemia enhances stress reactions. Further studies show that magnesium has a profound effect on stress and neural excitability. Magnesium salts, such as Epsom salt, can reduce stress and may improve neuropsychiatric disorders.
According to research from the University of North Carolina, hypomagnesemia enhances stress reactions. Further studies show that magnesium has a profound effect on stress and neural excitability. Magnesium salts, such as Epsom salt, can reduce stress and may improve neuropsychiatric disorders.
Magnesium is critical to the production of energy in cells. By increasing magnesium, you can feel revived without feeling restless. It’s a much more calm energy as opposed to how people feel revived from caffeine consumption.
3. How does it Eliminate Toxins?
The sulfates in Epsom salt assist the body in flushing out toxins. That provides a heavy metal detox from the body’s cells. This can help lower the internal accumulation of harmful substances.
Human skin is a highly porous membrane. By adding minerals like magnesium and sulfate to your bathwater, it sparks a process called reverse osmosis, which literally pulls salt out of your body and dangerous toxins along with it.
Recommendations of how much epsom salt for bath water can vary. For an Epsom salts detox bath, add at least two cups of Epsom salt to bathwater and soak for 40 minutes total. The first 20 minutes give your body time to remove toxins from your system, while the last 20 minutes allow you to absorb the minerals in the water and help you emerge from the bath feeling rejuvenated. Make sure to consume water before, during and after the bath to protect yourself from dehydration and increase detoxification.
I know 40 minutes seems like such a long time, so as long as you can after 20 minutes, just put on a podcast or listen to your favourite tunes, top up with warm water as it cools and time goes by so quickly. I see this weekly soak as an important part of my health care routine, it is as valuable as exercise, meditation and eating a well-balance diet.
4. Reduces Pain and Inflammation
A warm bath containing Epsom salt is known to ease pain and relieve the inflammation that is the root cause of most disease. This makes it a beneficial natural treatment sore muscles, headaches (including migraines) and arthritis pain.
Soaking in warm water is one of the oldest forms of alternative therapy for arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation USA if you include Epsom salt, the bath becomes so much more therapeutic.
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