Why Everyone Should Be Using Epsom Salt
Contrary to its name, Epsom salt isn’t actually used for cooking or baking, and it shouldn’t even be ingested. Instead, it is used on the outside of your body, allowing your body to absorb the magnesium and sulfate. This provides some excellent health benefits, from helping to balance out your body’s electrolytes, to reducing inflammation. Here is more information about why you should be using Epsom salt on a regular basis.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is not salt that you consume, but is instead a type of mineral compound of both magnesium and sulfate. It occurs naturally in the Epsom saline spring located in England, and is used for health benefits, as opposed to regular salt that is used to flavor your food. You can usually find it in the health or natural health aisle of your local supermarket or drug store.
Why is it Beneficial?
The reason people like to use Epsom salt, particularly in their bath, is because of how well it is absorbed into the skin.
Here are some health benefits you get by using Epsom salt:
Reduce inflammation – The first reason people like to use Epsom salt in their bath is to reduce inflammation. If you have arthritis or similar conditions, it can cause a lot of swelling and pain. Epsom salt baths work wonders for reducing this type of inflammation.
Soothe sore and tired muscles – Similarly, magnesium itself is wonderful for your muscles, so it makes sense that a hot bath with Epsom salts would help even more for this.
Stabilize your mood – Did you know that magnesium helps to increase the serotonin levels of the brain? This is why Epsom salt baths help with your mood, reduce stress, and can even help with anxiety.
Tips for Using it
Since you want the Epsom salt to be absorbed into your skin, the most common way to use it is by adding it to your bath. For most people, 2 cups of Epsom salt is added to a bathtub of hot or warm water. It will absorb quickly into the water, along with absorbing some of it into your skin.
If you find that it isn’t dissolving properly in the water, try a hot bath with the salt being added underneath the running water. You can also make a skin scrub with Epsom salts and essential oils and a carrier oil if you prefer to use it that way.