Epsom Salt Foot Soak: How It Works and Benefits

Getting rid of all the stress surrounding you is vital to your health: it prevents the effects of ageing from accelerating, puts you on track for a longer lifespan, and will overall improve your mood and mental well-being. But with the fast pace of everyday life wearing you down, you need to find a way to get rid of this stress fast.

Thankfully, there exists a method to help cure all of your woes known as the Epsom salt bath. But what is the Epsom salt bath, and how will it help your body and mind?

Well, we're glad you asked. It's time to dive into the Epsom salt foot soak, how it works, the many benefits it provides, and answer any other questions you could have! So without further ado, let's get started.

Medical Benefits? Epsom Salt's Got Plenty

Contrary to its name, Epsom salt is not salt but rather a chemical compound of magnesium and sulphate. Epsom salt's non-medicinal uses are fixing magnesium or sulphur deficiency in soil (though other forms of magnesium sulphate are better suited for this task).

So how does Epsom salt help people? For starters, it works as a pain reliever for muscle aches.

This happens because the magnesium in the salt relaxes the muscles, while the warm water the salt gets dissolved in will improve blood circulation around the affected area. Since poor blood circulation is a frequent culprit behind muscle cramps, this helps the muscle pain even more. This can even help stop headaches (as the muscles in your head are relaxed). 

Another effect of the salt is that it will help reduce any swelling or inflammation of the skin that you soak. The magnesium will also help the calcium in your body keep the nerve impulses that go from your brain to the rest of your body running smoothly. This is also useful when trying to remove a splinter or object stuck in your skin (as reduced swelling makes it easier to remove).

And They Don't Stop There

Some people also believe the salt helps replenish the electrolytes in your body. As a result, you will have more stable blood pressure and a proper fluid balance in your body. It's also said that the salt will help keep your arteries loose and thus lower your chances of suffering a heart attack.

Another side effect of Epsom salt comes with its skin benefits. The hot water combines with the salt will help remove dead skin from your feet and smooth down any rough patches to leave your skin smooth. It's also believed that Epsom salt can help ward off common foot molds like athlete's foot.  

Epsom salt also helps remove stress and gives you an energy boost. While this is not a direct effect, the de-stressing properties of the salt will help calm you down, allowing you to fall asleep easier and not get as caught up in your anxiety. 

The Benefits of Natural Sodium Bicarbonate

In addition to Epsom salt, our special mixture contains all-natural sodium bicarbonate (or baking soda, as it's better known) to enhance the experience. But what does this do for you?

For starters, sodium bicarbonate does an excellent job as an odour controller. In fact, some people even use it as a natural deodorant.

This is because sodium bicarbonate helps to bring acids and bases to a neutral state. Since many strong scents are caused as a result of extremes on the pH scale, this helps even them out to the point of non-existence.

Another benefit baking salt brings is that it aids the Epsom salt in removing buildups of dead skin from your feet. It also functions as a powerful counter to different kinds of foot and toenail fungus.

Finally, baking salt provides pain relief for sore muscles. It does this by drawing the lactic acid out of your muscles, as buildups of this acid lead to muscle cramps or weariness.

How to Do the Epsom Salt Foot Soak

To do the Epsom salt foot soak, first prepare a tub full of warm water. Temperature is important here: cold water reduces the effectiveness of the soak, while hot water could burn your feet.

The tub should be deep enough that you can submerge your feet in the water up to your ankles.

Once that's done, add a cup of Epsom salt to the water and place your feet in. Let your feet soak in the water for 15-20 minutes before you take them out again. 

But what if you want to add a little "spice" to your foot soak? Well, adding certain oils will help provide an aromatic experience, as well as enhance some of the effects of the soak.

For example, we use peppermint and eucalyptus oils in our Epsom salt mix to provide a calming experience. The oils also help relieve pain and kill off any harmful germs on your feet.

Other oils to consider are rosemary and lavender oil, which help to relax your muscles and let them decompress. Cypress oil is a great choice if you're worried about foot odor since it acts like perfume for your feet. 

And if you need a use for the water once you're done, try putting some of it in a spray bottle and misting your plants with it. Giving the plants and soil this extra magnesium makes it easier for the plants to absorb nutrients (and thus grow better). 

Risks to Know

The first thing to note with Epsom salt is that while the medical benefits are tried and tested, there is no concrete scientific proof that Epsom salt can do everything people claim. As such, you should pay attention to what chemicals you mix with Epsom salt, as they could negate the effects of the salt or do damage to your feet.

Another thing to note is Epsom salt's use as a laxative. Since your body get exposed to some degree of the magnesium in the foot soak, you may experience symptoms of loosened bowels or soft stool. While those won't be dangerous, consuming the water can cause harsh diarrhoea and dehydration.

To help counterbalance this, make sure to drink a lot of water during and after your foot soak. That way, you are at less risk for dehydration.

If you have any open wounds, be sure to steer clear of Epsom salt. While it can help with fungal infections, the salt will irritate the wound and cause more pain instead of less. 

Another thing to watch out for is if you are prone to having dry skin. Too much Epsom salt will crack your skin, so use a little less salt than recommended if you want to avoid that. Treating your feet with moisturizer after the soak will also help avoid this problem. 

If you have diabetes and heart or kidney problems, make sure you talk to your doctor before you use Epsom salts.

Finally, make sure you buy all your bath salts (Epsom included) from a reputable source. Otherwise, you risk exposing yourself to untested or harmful chemical mixes.

Bonus Round

So what happens if you have some Epsom salt left after your foot soak? Well, there are a few more tricks you can try with it so it doesn't go to waste. 

For starters, people claim Epsom salt works well as a blackhead remover. All you need to do is boil half a cup of water and place a few drops of iodine and a tablespoon of Epsom salt in it. After that, it's as simple as taking a cotton ball, "picking up" some of the mixture, and blotting your blackheads with it. 

Mixing a little salt with some olive oil also works as a great way to keep dead skin off your face.  Epsom salt can even be used to remove hairspray if you have a gallon of water and a cup of lemon juice.

All you need to do is add a cup of Epsom salt, mix it, and let it sit for a day. Then, pour it into your hair and wait 20 minutes before you clean it out in the shower.

Epsom salt also packs some uses for around the house. It works as an excellent slug repellant (since it draws the moisture out of slugs, killing them) and can get combined with liquid detergent to form a quick DIY bathroom cleaner. People also claim that Epsom salts work as an eco-friendly insect repellant. 

A One-Way Trip to Paradise

And there you have it! Now that you know all about the Epsom salt foot soak and how it will help take a bite out of your stress (plus its additional uses), you're ready to kick back and relax!

If you want to get started today, come check out our excellent selection of bath salts for you to peruse! We offer 100% natural bath salts with fast shipping and a security guarantee! Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time to kick back with a foot soak of our own...