ABOUT EPSOM SALT

Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) is a naturally occurring chemical compound. It is a white crystalline solid, soluble in water but not in ethanol. 

Formula: MgSO₄

Molar mass: 120.366 g/mol

IUPAC ID: Magnesium sulfate

Melting point: 1,124 °C

Soluble in: Water

Classification: Sulfate

Appearance: white crystalline solid

While it resembles table salt, it has a very bitter taste and isn’t really meant to be consumed. Its most popular use is in baths.

Epsom salt bath entails the use of water treated with magnesium sulphate on the skin. It can come in the form of soaking the entire body or parts of the body in the treated water to achieve a specific outcome.

While no clinical trial/scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, many people say they feel relief for multiple symptoms by soaking in an Epsom salt bath. Also many healthcare providers promote it for its ease of use, ease to find, safety, reasonable price and minimally invasive delivery. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF EPSON SALT BATH

Most people use Epsom Salt Bath as a way to enhance a relaxing soak in the tub, Epsom Salt Bath is believed to provide several health benefits for people with:

• muscle pain and stiffness
• stiff, aching joints
• arthritis
• circulation problems
• headaches
• anxiety and stress
• skin conditions, such as eczema
• dry and itchy skin

HOW TO USE EPSOM SALT BATH

1. DETOX BATH

The minerals in a detox bath are believed to help remove toxins from the body to improve your health, relieve stress, treat constipation, and assist with weight loss.

Magnesium absorption is another important benefit of Epsom salt detox baths. This may be beneficial to those with a deficiency, such as people with fibromyalgia. A 2004 study of 19 participants found that 17 of them had increased levels of magnesium and sulfate in the blood following Epsom salt baths.

To make a detox bath using Epsom salt:

1. Use 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-size bathtub filled with warm water.
2. Pour the salt into running water to help it dissolve faster into the bath.
3. Soak in the tub for at least 12 minutes, or 20 minutes to treat constipation.

Adding essential oils, such as lavender or peppermint, can offer additional aromatherapy benefits, such as relaxation and improved mood.

2. MUSCLE ACHE

Bath salts can help with muscle aches by relaxing tense muscles and reducing inflammation.

To make bath salts for muscle pain:

1. Use 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-size bathtub of warm water.
2. Pour the Epsom salt into the running water to help it dissolve faster. Stirring the water with your hand will help dissolve any remaining grains.
3. Soak for at least 12 minutes.

Adding a few drops of diluted cinnamon bark essential oil may also help ease muscle pain.

3. SKIN INLAMMATION & IRRITATION

Epson Salt Bath can be used to relieve skin inflammation and irritation caused by eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and athlete’s foot.

To make bath salts to relieve itchy and irritated skin:

1. Use 1 cup of Epsom salt for a standard-size bathtub.
2. Pour the salt into the warm running bath water and use your hand to stir the water to help dissolve all the grains.
3. Soak in the tub for at least 20 minutes.

Tea tree oil has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties that may make it effective for treating eczema and minor skin infections. Essential oils should be diluted before use, but tea tree oil does come in many strengths, some already diluted. Adding 3 or 4 drops to your salt bath can provide additional relief of inflammation and irritation.

4. DRY OR ITCHY SKIN

You can useEpsom salt bath to relieve dry and itchy skin, including itching caused by insect bites and poison ivy. To do this:

1. Use 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt and a tablespoon of olive oil for a standard-size bathtub.
2. Pour the salt into the warm running water to help it dissolve faster.
3. Add the olive oil and stir the bath water using your hand to help combine the salt and oil.
4. Soak for at least 12 minutes, 2 or 3 times a week.

You can also add almond oil, oatmeal, or powdered milk to bath salts to soothe and moisturize the skin.

5. ARTHRITIS

The Arthritis Foundation recommends soaking and stretching in a warm Epsom salt bath to help relieve stiff and aching joints and for relief of muscle soreness after exercising.

To do this:

1. Use 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-size bathtub filled with warm water.
2. Dissolve the salt faster by pouring it into the running water.
3. Soak for at least 20 minutes a day as needed or after exercise.

Some essential oils, such as ginger, may have anti-inflammatory benefits. According to a 2016 studyTrusted Source, ginger was shown to have anti-arthritic and joint-protective effects in arthritis. Adding a few drops of diluted ginger essential oil to your bath salts may offer additional benefits.

You can also target specific joints by using bath salts and ginger oil mixed with some warm water to make a paste that can be rubbed on the joint.

FOOT SOAK

There are several benefits to using Epson salt bath in a foot soak. They include:

• relieve symptoms of athlete’s foot
• treat toenail fungus
• relieve gout pain and inflammation
• eliminate foot odor

To use Epsom Salt in a foot soak:

1. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a large basin of warm water and stir to dissolve.
2. Soak your feet for 12 minutes, or 30 minutes for gout relief.
3. Dry your feet thoroughly with a towel.

Repeat three times daily to treat nail fungus until your symptoms improve. Adding diluted tea tree oil has antifungal effects.

Soaking your feet in a warm salt bath also makes it easier to exfoliate dry, cracked heels. You can use the shower scrub recipe above to help remove dead skin and calluses.

HOW TO BATH WITH EPSOM SALT WITHOUT A BATH TUB

You can still use bath salts and enjoy some of the benefits they provide even if you don’t have a bathtub. To do this, you simply create a shower scrub:

1. Use 1 cup of Epsom salt, 1/3 cup of almond oil, olive oil, or coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon of vitamin E oil.
2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl, creating a thick paste.
3. Apply some of the scrub to your body using your hands.
4. Rinse.

Be sure to use a bowl or container with an airtight lid to store your remaining shower scrub.

You can add 12 drops of your favorite essential oil to your body scrub to enjoy some of the additional benefits listed above. Bath salt scrubs are also great for exfoliating the skin.

SIDE EFFECTS OF EPSOM SALT BATH

Generally, there aren’t any — but there are some instances where caution is advised.

Epsom salt baths aren’t recommended for people with:

• Severe skin inflammation.
• Skin infections.
• Open wounds.
• Severe burns.

SUMMARY

Epsom Salt Bath relaxes and provides a number of cosmetic and health benefits. Though generally safe for most when used properly, we advise you talk to your doctor before using Epsom salt bath if you have medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

REFERENCES

https://www.healthline.com/health/bath-salts#takeaway

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-epsom-salt/

Oluwafemi O Adekunle (Pharm.D)

(Author)