Epsom Salt Bath: Uses, Benefits, and Risks

Baths have been long revered in cultures dating back to the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. It's said that the first form of soap was before 2000 BC.

Do you enjoy your baths, but want to have a relaxing and beneficial soak as well? You'll want to try Epsom salt baths for its healing and relaxing benefits.

In this article, explore what's so beneficial about these bath salts and why you won't want to miss out. Read on to learn about this naturally sourced mineral, that'll take your bath from boring to healing and relaxing.

What Is Epsom Salt?

It's not the same as the salt you put in your meals, and is only considered a salt because of its chemical components. You can find it in the store or online for your convenience. Just make sure that when you're buying Epsom salt, that it's naturally sourced.

These salts can have different perfumes, colours, and oils to help soften your skin and relax you.

When placed into water, it's broken down into sulfate and magnesium. It's thought that when you soak in an Epsom salt bath, your body is receiving these minerals. One study on magnesium, found that hair follicles help it penetrate the skin.

People use Epsom salt baths for a variety of reasons:

• Sprains
• Bruises
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis
• Psoriasis
• Swelling
• Sunburns
• Soreness

Epsom Salt Bath Benefits

When you're looking for food grade Epsom salt Australia, there's low-risk to taking a salt bath. The health benefits of a salt bath far outweigh any risks.

It can help soothe blisters and reduce inflammation. It can also help you relax and unwind after a long day. These soaks could also help you recover after a hard workout, and soothe those sore muscles or aches and pains.

You can enjoy our 100% natural Epsom salt that has been sourced from Germany. Germany is one of the few places where you can find naturally occurring Epsom salts available from The Salt Box in Australia.

Magnesium can help treat heart problems such as

• Digitalis poisoning
• Congestive heart failure
• Heart rhythm problems
• Heart attack
• Cardiac arrest

It might help:

• Premenstrual syndrome
• Prevent heart disease
• Prevent high triglyceride levels
• Prevent fatigue and muscle cramps
• Help depression
• Help anxiety
• Help maintain nerve tissues, bone, and muscles
• Help those with insomnia sleep

How to Take an Epsom Salt Bath

You'll love how your Epsom salt Australia dissolves right in your bath for additional benefits. Before taking a warm bath, check with your doctor if you have low blood pressure, since hot water can lower your blood pressure.

First, make sure you have your natural Epsom salt Australia in hand, and use 2 cups in warm water. You can also try 1 cup of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water, or 300 grams of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water.

You'll want to soak for at least 15 minutes. For baths that are meant to help out sore muscles, make sure the water isn't too warm since that can increase swelling.

You can also:

• Mix a foot soak
• Create a detox footbath
• Create a detox bath
• Use Epsom salt in your compress for direct application to your muscles

Possible Side Effects

The side effects of Epsom salt are mild, but like anything, can have an effect.

If you experience:

• A skin infection
• Itchy skin
• Allergic reactions

Stop use immediately. You can test a patch on your skin to see how your body responds to it.

Drinking Epsom Salt

First, ensure your Epsom salt is safe to eat or drink. You can dissolve it in a glass of water and drink it. For flavoured water, you can add some fruit, or a lemon.

This can help work as a laxative when you're feeling constipated. It can interact with certain medications when taken orally, so speak with your doctor first.

Don't use it for more than a week orally without consulting with your doctor. If you don't notice results within a few hours, you can always take another dose.

Try to avoid taking more than 2 doses daily.

Before using Epsom salt orally, speak to your doctor if you have:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Severe stomach pain
• Kidney disease
• Magnesium-restrictions
• Changes in bowel movements

Orally, since it's a laxative, it can cause:

• Diarrhoea
• Gas
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Nausea

Overuse of laxatives can cause:

• Seizures
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat

Topical Paste

Another option for enjoying Epsom salt is to create your own topical paste. Take a teaspoon of Epsom salt, and dissolve it in a cup of hot water. Next, let it cool for 20 minutes inside the fridge. Then, place it on the affected area.

Epsom Salt Compress

If you don't have time for a soak in the tub, you can create an Epsom salt compress. First, you'll need to add a tablespoon or 2 of Epsom salt to warm water. Next, you can add in essential oils if you'd like. Lastly, mix it until it's dissolved.

You can then place a bandage or towel in the mixture. Then, place the compress on your back for 30 minutes or until it's cool. If you decide to use essential oils, test it out on a patch of your skin before beginning.

Benefits Explained

Since Epsom salt is comprised of sulfate and magnesium, it's believed it helps with detoxification. Currently, there isn't enough evidence, either way, to show its detoxification properties.

1. Reduces Soreness

If you're suffering from psoriatic arthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus, it can help reduce swelling. Epsom salt can also help with pain relief. Since it contains magnesium, it can help your body get rid of toxins from inflammation.

2. Sooth Skin

Epsom salt can help smooth your dry skin and exfoliate dead skin cells. It can also help skin that's impacted by psoriasis and eczema. Certain skin conditions can become worse, so speak with your doctor before beginning.

3. Helps Feet

If you're experiencing ingrown toenails or athlete's foot, it can help with these as well. It'll help relieve any itching, and help heal your feet.

4. Reduces Stress

Magnesium can help you reduce stress, anxiety, and induce sleep. Before bed, take an Epsom salt bath to help you unwind after a long day.

5. Removes Splinters

Epsom salt baths can help reduce inflammation in affected areas, and make splinters soften. This can make it easier to remove them from the location.

Does Epsom Salt Help Back Pain?

Unfortunately, there haven't been many studies done about whether Epsom salt helps with back pain. Multiple studies have shown that Epsom salt does get absorbed by your body.

A study was done where all volunteers took baths at 50-55°C for 12 minutes. They varied the amounts of Epsom salt used in the bath before the volunteer got in.

Blood samples were done before they took their 1st bath, after the 1st, and 7th bath. Urine samples were also collected. They were taken before the 1st bath, after the 1st, and all other baths.

It was found to be an easy and safe way to increase magnesium and sulfate levels in your body.

Increase Relaxation

To really lower anxiety and stress, along with the Epsom salt baths, you can also add essential oils.

Some essential oils you can try are:

• Juniper
• Neroli
• Lavender
• Roman chamomile
• Bergamot
• Rosemary
• Orange
• Patchouli

You can also add different spices and herbs to your Epsom salt bath. If you'd rather not have spices floating in your tub, you can place them in a face cloth and tie it up. Next, you can place it into your tub.

Some herbs and spices to try are:

• Crushed orange peels
• Crushed bergamot peels
• A few sprigs of lavender
• A few sprigs of rosemary
• A few juniper leaves
• Crushed ginger

Tips and Tricks

Always do a patch test first if it's your first time using Epsom salts Australia. When using essential oils, you can dilute them by adding a drop to carrier oils such as coconut, olive, or sesame.

If you notice your back pain isn't improving after a few weeks, contact your doctor.

Taking it by mouth could cause diarrhoea since it helps relieve constipation. It's best to take it as a soak or compress.

If you have a severe infection or skin inflammation, speak with your doctor before beginning Epsom salt soaks.

Always make sure to purchase your Epsom salt from reputable sources. Many Epsom salt products out there aren't from a reputable source. Many brands artificially manufacture their Epsom salts in a factory.

Lower quality Epsom salts are cleaned with non-natural methods as well.

We are proud that our Epsom salt comes from natural sources available in Germany. This makes it a great natural choice for your body. Our bath salts can also be combined with each other. You can try a soak of Himalayan Pink Salt, Dead Sea Salt, and our Epsom Salt.

Exploring Epsom Salt Baths

After exploring all about Epsom salt baths, you should have a better idea of why these soaks are so beneficial.

Are you ready to order your Natural Epsom salt today? Check out our different Epsom salt products today!

If you have any questions, please contact us. We offer a range of products for both wholesale and retail customers.