Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is often considered a panacea for everything from muscle aches to insect bites. The secret to salt is believed to be in magnesium, which helps regulate many body functions, including healthy muscles, nerves and bones. Its health benefits are both physical and mental, and a soothing Epsom salt bath can help you feel better in many ways.
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Health and muscle recovery:
The magnesium and sulfate that make up Epsom salt are key to its health benefits. Magnesium would reduce inflammation, increase relaxation and improve muscle and nerve function. It also helps regulate electrolyte balance and can help the body process glucose and lactic acid. Sulfate works as a detoxifier and speeds up muscle recovery. All of this is the perfect recipe for relieving muscles and easing soreness after a workout. Although scientific evidence is limited, athletes and coaches recommend a relaxing Epsom salt bath after exercise to treat sore muscles and joints.
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Foot care :
You don’t have to take a full-body Epsom salt bath to experience its benefits. If your feet are swollen or you have blisters, magnesium helps reduce inflammation. Most doctors recommend adding 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to a quart of room temperature water and soaking your feet for 20 minutes. Do this every eight hours until your feet feel better, especially if you have arthritis. An Epsom salt bath is a good solution for all foot problems, from athlete’s foot to gout to ingrown toenails.
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Stress and Anxiety Relief:
A classic Epsom salt bath is part of every doctor’s toolkit for dealing with stress, especially when they don’t want to prescribe additional medications to their patients. Magnesium can help boost serotonin and create feelings of calm. Although no significant research has shown that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin, patients report that an Epsom salt bath works wonders for relieving anxiety, increasing feelings of relaxation and even helping to fight against insomnia. Followers recommend taking Epsom salt baths several times a week to get the most stress-relieving benefits. Dissolve two cups of Epsom salt in your bath (along with a few drops of your favorite essential oil) and melt away your negative emotions.
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Skin exfoliation and acne treatment:
The texture of Epsom salt makes it a natural exfoliator and an effective addition to any skincare routine. Mix a tablespoon of Epsom salt with olive oil and rub it into damp skin in the shower or bath. For acne, try using Epsom salt to remove blackheads: Put a teaspoon of Epsom salt with 3 drops of iodine in half a cup of boiling water. Once the salt has dissolved, allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and dab the blackheads with a cotton ball. Leave on for a few minutes, then rinse, wash your face gently, rinse again and pat dry.
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Inflammation and pain relief:
Studies show that a magnesium deficiency can contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases like arthritis, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Regular Epsom salt baths can help increase your magnesium levels and reduce inflammation throughout your body. They have also been reported to help relieve acute pain, such as tension headaches and migraines, or chronic pain, such as back pain. Warm, salty water makes you more buoyant, which means you have more joint mobility in the tub and feel lighter overall. At the very least, you’ll feel relaxed and relieved while you’re in the bath.
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Treatment of colds and flu:
If your grandma ever told you to take an Epsom salt bath when you had a cold, she was on the right track. This is a classic cold and flu home remedy because it combines all the best health benefits of Epsom salts. It soothes body aches, improves sleep, boosts energy and circulation, and provides a feeling of warmth. Some experts report that an Epsom salt bath can increase white blood cell production to increase your immune system’s response and better fight disease. Doctors suggest starting Epsom salt baths as soon as you feel the first symptoms.
