Ultimate Guide: Epsom Salt Baths

Epsom salt is wildly popular in the holistic health community and for good reason.  People have recently began to learn about the benefits, internal and external, of this wonderful "salt".  I quote that word because Epsom salts aren't really salts at all, but rather a naturally occurring, pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate.  There have been several studies that show that magnesium and sulfate are highly absorbable through the skin.  This is why Epsom salt baths are so popular and a great way to experience the benefits of this Earthly wonder. 

Let's take a look at the several benefits of Epsom salt:
​* Reduces inflammation of muscular and skeletal systems
* Sulfates help absorb nutrients
​* Flushes toxins from the body
​* Relieves constipation when taken orally with water
​* Detoxes heavy metals when used in a bath
* Helps regulate 325 enzymes found in the body
​* Can be used to fertilize houseplants, gardens and yards, growing lush green plants
​* Can be used as an insecticide
​* Helps relieve stress by relaxing muscles and mind, readying you for a good night's sleep
​* Will help clean out the gut when taken orally, balancing the guts pH

​There are several uses for Epsom salt, but I'm going to focus my post on Epsom salt baths.  If you do decide to try to take Epsom salt orally, use a small amount (1 tsp) and drink a lot of water with it.  Continue drinking water all day to help push everything out of your system. This is the natural answer to constipation. Oh, and please beware, it tastes NASTY!  Now onto baths...

How To Take An Epsom Salt Bath To Get Maximized Benefits
With Epsom salt baths you want to get the water as hot as you can handle it. This is important as it really helps relax the muscles and opens up the pores of your skin as large as they go, allowing for the magnesium sulfate to easily be absorbed and for toxins to easily be released from the body.  For maximum results, when it comes to relaxing the muscles and relieving inflammation, pour no less than 4 cups of salts into your bath!  Let these salts get in there, do their job and go beyond the call of duty!  Be sure to soak no longer than 40 minutes.  

​If you have young children who have a hard time falling asleep, you can run some warm/almost hot water in the sink and add 2 cups of Epsom salts.  Then take a wash cloth and let the salt water absorb into the cloth.  Wring out and wrap warm cloths around your kids feet (may take two cloths).  You can also have them put their feet in the sink, if you prefer. This will help relax your child and help them fall asleep. You can do this for yourself as well, followed by a light foot scrub with a scrub brush will help release toxins through the feet.
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​Source: “Report on Absorption of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) across the skin,” Dr. R.H. Waring, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, U.K.

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What Epsom Salt do I recommend? This right here. These ultra-fine crystals DO absorb quickly and more efficiently than the bigger crystals. This Therapeutic Soak relaxes the muscles and relieves all the tension better than any other salts I've used. I must tell you though, that this bath should most definitely always be done before bed. You will just want to melt into your bed afterwards. You will wake up relaxed and rejuvenated.