Why You Should Take an Epsom Salt Bath Tonight!
Updated: Jan 30, 2020
Soak, relax, repeat.
Taking vitamins and eating a well-balanced diet to feel and perform at your optimal level can be exhausting in itself. Epsom salt is full of magnesium (it is magnesium sulfate) which is absorbed through your skin, so a warm Epsom salt bath is one very easy and relaxing way to get the benefits of this crucial mineral without having to remember to ingest it.
There is a long laundry list of symptoms and medical conditions that arise when you have a magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia is often overlooked and rarely diagnosed by a western medical doctor), which can also mirror the symptoms of just about any other deficiency or imbalance, but the good news is you can’t get too much magnesium, so you can enjoy a bath on special occasions or every night!
If you’re out of balance, you may have:
Irritability
Lethargy
Memory problems
Anorexia/loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Seizures
Muscle cramps
Tremors
Vertigo
Difficulty swallowing
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Dementia
Chronic fatigue syndrome
ADHD
Asthma
Colon Cancer
Epilepsy
Parkinson’s disease
Sleep disorders
Fibromyalgia
Migraine headaches
Osteoporosis
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Chest pain (angina)
Coronary artery disease
Atherosclerosis
Hypertension
Type II diabetes
Mineral infusion for balance
Magnesium plays a plethora of roles in the body. It’s responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, blood pressure, the activity of over 300 enzymes, reduces inflammation, helps muscle performance and nerve functions, and prevents artery hardening. The Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush out toxins, and ease tension and headaches.
Stress relief and muscle relaxer
A warm Epsom salt bath reduces anxiety and adrenaline in your body and increases serotonin- which is the feel-good chemical in your brain that induces calm and relaxation. By taking a bath right before you go to bed you will also significantly increase the quality of your sleep!
Whether you have cramps, a headache, arthritis, muscles that are tired, sore, bruised, fatigued or sprained, Epsom salt can help you recover. The magnesium in Epsom salt balances your electrolytes and calcium levels, heals wounds, relieves soreness, and reduces inflammation in the body.
Detox!
Expel those nasty toxins and watch them wash down the drain! Your skin is highly porous and adding Epsom salt to your bathwater triggers a process called reverse osmosis, which actually pulls salt out of your body, and harmful toxins along with it!
Basic math for your bath
Most recommendations I’ve come across suggest adding 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soaking for 15-30 minutes. That’s a great place to start if your body isn’t used to Epsom salt baths because the detox effect can be quite strong for some beginners. For regular Epsom salt bathers like myself, feel free to pour in half the bag (or the whole bag) for a nice soak. Just remember to listen to your body and adjust the dosage accordingly to get the desired affect.
For the added benefit of moisturizing your skin, you can also add in an oil (I prefer sesame seed oil), and if you want to have a more spa-like experience with extra benefits, try adding a few drops of lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile essential oil. *Be sure not to use soap, as it will interfere with the action of the salts.
Where to go from here
Epsom salt is readily available at any grocery store or pharmacy and it’s inexpensive as long as you steer clear of the brands that use additives like “natural fragrance”. I typically get whatever is stocked in the laxative aisle because of the lack of additives or I buy in bulk from Saltworks and have it delivered right to my doorstep – making it as simple as possible!
So, next time someone tells you to take a chill pill, take a warm Epsom salt bath instead!
Get more tips on how to reduce and eliminate anxiety
*No pugs were bathed in the making of this blog, but even they enjoy an Epsom salt bath with calming essential oils.