Epsom salt is a potent mineral compound comprised of magnesium and sulfate. It is widely used to relieve many minor health issues. Soaking in a bath with Epsom salt can relieve achy feet and soothe sore muscles. Epsom salt is used in skin cleansers and hair care products to help naturally exfoliate skin, and give hair more volume and shine. Many people also turn to Epsom salt as a remedy for occasional constipation as ingesting food-grade Epsom salt helps flush the gastrointestinal tract and encourage detoxification.
What Is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is named after the English town of Epsom, where the substance was first produced. Although it is referred to as “salt,” it does not contain sodium and, despite sharing similar physical characteristics, has different properties from table salt. For instance, adding Epsom salt to warm bath water makes your skin feel smooth and silky, while salt produces a drying effect. For this reason, Epsom salt is a common ingredient in bath salts that are designed to cleanse and soften skin.
“All products labeled as Epsom salt are essentially the same, but there is a difference between “food grade” Epsom salt and non-food grade Epsom salt – the latter being produced for agricultural use.”
All products labeled as Epsom salt are essentially the same, but there is a difference between “food grade” Epsom salt and non-food grade Epsom salt – the latter being produced for agricultural use. The former will bear the “USP” designation, which means it was certified according to standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia and the Food and Drug Administration. Because agricultural or garden grade Epsom salt is not manufactured under the same conditions, it may contain contaminants.
What Makes Epsom Salt Work?
Epsom salt has two major components: magnesium and sulfate (sulfur). These minerals are essential for optimal health. Magnesium is a cofactor involved in more than 300 enzymatic processes, including protein and DNA synthesis, the regulation of blood pressure and serum glucose levels, and supporting the body’s detoxification routes. Magnesium is also required for the uptake of calcium and potassium, both of which are necessary to regulate nerve, muscle and heart function.[1]
Sulfate is involved in several biological functions as well, most notably in the gut. This mineral facilitates the release of proteases, lipases, and amylase, which are pancreatic enzymes needed to digest food. It is needed to form specialized proteins in epithelial cells. These cells line and lubricate your intestinal tract to keep things moving smoothly and prevent intestinal bacteria from leaking into the bloodstream. Sulfate is also required for prenatal mapping of the neuronal network and the development of brain tissue.[2] Dietary sources of magnesium include whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
10 Epsom Salt Benefits
- Soothes inflammation
- Relieves discomfort caused by sunburn
- Relieves itchiness caused by poison ivy
- Helps reduce stress
- Fixes magnesium deficiency
- Supports recovery after exercise
- Relieves occasional constipation
- Promotes radiant skin and hair
- Relaxes tired, aching feet
- Fertilizes your garden
Due to the beneficial qualities associated with magnesium and sulfate, Epsom salt is used as a natural remedy to support many health issues including inflammation, constipation, and bodily strain from exercise. It may also help remove splinters, relieve a sunburn, and soothe the itch from poison ivy.
Bathing with Epsom salts is a healthy way to reduce stress, while at the same time promoting the elimination of environmental toxins from your body and increasing new cell turnover through exfoliation. It is also used in beauty regimes and can even be added to soil for a healthier garden.
Soothes Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural process in the body in which white blood cells rush to the site of injury to counter foreign agents that might lead to infection. Evidence of this taking place is seen in localized swelling, bruising, itching, or redness. Adding two cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath helps to break down this compound into its two components, magnesium and sulfate. Since these minerals are readily absorbed through the skin, soaking in this solution may reduce discomfort and swelling associated with sore muscles and joints, aching feet, sprains, bruises, and minor skin irritations.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, may not immediately affect your health but can be quite damaging over time. One of the markers used to evaluate ongoing inflammation is the level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP). High levels are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, irritable bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. Research shows that magnesium plays a significant role in inhibiting chronic inflammation and that insufficient intake of this mineral leads to elevated CRP levels.[3, 4]
Fixes Magnesium Deficiency
According to the National Institutes of Health, magnesium deficiency is more likely to occur in certain groups of people due to particular medical conditions. These conditions include kidney disease, diabetes, and Crohn’s disease. People who use certain medications that interfere with the absorption of this mineral, or that speed its elimination from the body can also be deficient. Magnesium supplementation may benefit people with these conditions, as well as people with other health issues.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include, but are not limited to:
- Unhappy mood
- Mental fog or confusion
- Irritability
- Muscle twitching or weakness
- Insomnia
- Nail disorders
- Restless leg syndrome
- Seizures
Other factors that can lead to low magnesium include excessive intake of alcohol or caffeine, consuming too much salt, heavy menstrual periods, and chronic stress.[9]
Supports Recovery After Exercise
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath after intense exercise can help relieve muscle pain. In studies, a closer look at the benefits of Epsom salt revealed that supplementing with magnesium sulfate before working out or playing sports may enhance performance and stamina. An Epsom salt supplement before a round of calisthenics could also reduce the risk of injury, muscle cramps, inflammation, and post-exercise aches.The reason for this is because of magnesium’s ability to improve blood glucose metabolism, which leads to better endurance. Magnesium also reduces lactic acid buildup in muscles during intense exercise, allowing muscles to relax rather than stiffen.[10, 11, 12]
Relieves Occasional Constipation
Food grade Epsom salt is approved by the FDA for use as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation. Magnesium sulfate exerts laxative effects because it enhances digestion as it stimulates the ilium brake. This mechanism serves as traffic control for the movement of digested food through the intestinal tract.[5] Drinking a solution of food grade Epsom salt, or a suitable magnesium powder supplement, increases the transport of water to the large intestine. This process results in a natural colon cleanse and body detox. Your gallbladder may also benefit from magnesium sulfate as a flush to help relieve gallstones. Epsom salt may also be mixed with purified water and administered as an enema. For adults, the typical serving if used as a drink is 1-2 teaspoons of Epsom salt mixed with eight ounces of distilled or purified water. This blend is consumed once daily.[6]
Promotes Radiant Skin and Hair
There are many ways to use Epsom salt in your personal care regimen. Many people love soaking in a warm bath that contains Epsom salt bath crystals or bath salts to exfoliate their skin, reduce stress, and relieve aches. Aside from a lovely bath, the salt can be combined with your favorite cleanser, a carrier oil (such as sweet almond oil, or melted coconut oil), or simply moistened with plain water to make an effective body and facial scrub.
Epsom salt may also be used for everyday hair care. Mixed with an equal amount of hair conditioner that has been slightly warmed, Epsom salt will soften and increase hair volume, especially in oily hair types. For best results, massage the conditioner mixture onto the scalp and through the hair, and wait 20 minutes before rinsing.
This salt is also great as a natural hair spray, and it’s easy to make. Combine one cup of Epsom salt with one cup of water and two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Place this mixture in a spray bottle, and shake well before each use.
Relaxes Tired, Aching Feet
A foot-soak in warm water and Epsom salt works wonders for tired, aching feet. Incorporating essential oils into a foot bath can be even more beneficial. If in fact, your feet are feeling tired, a few drops of peppermint oil will revitalize them and diminish that achy feeling. If you have issues with foot or nail fungus, consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your Epsom salt soak. This addition may help remedy the effects of athlete’s foot.
While you’re taking care of your feet, you can also take care of your discarded shoes. Grab an old, clean sock and fill it with Epsom salt. Tuck this salt-filled sock into well-worn sneakers or boots. This trick will help absorb odor so that your clean, fragrant feet have a better chance of staying fresh.
Can Even Be Used to Fertilize Your Garden
Epsom salt can improve the quality of soil. It supports the uptake of sulfur, nitrates, and phosphorus in plants. Magnesium, in particular, is needed for seeds to germinate and for plants to produce chlorophyll. The sulfur component in this salt is used by plants to synthesize proteins, amino acids, and enzymes. In fact, sulfur is responsible for the distinctive flavor of many vegetables. Some of these vegetables include garlic, onion, cabbage, and broccoli.[7]
While many plants benefit from fertilization with Epsom salt, the practice is especially effective for plants that require high levels of magnesium, such as tomatoes, peppers, and roses. According to the National Gardening Association (NGA), test gardeners reported that the use of Epsom salt in the garden yields larger vegetables, and fuller rose bushes.
Soil that is deficient in magnesium tends to have a low pH. This deficiency makes alkaline levels too high to successfully grow crops and flowers. Soils with a pH of 7 or higher may benefit from potassium and calcium but tend to lack sufficient magnesium. Either scenario is remedied by conditioning the soil with an Epsom salt and water mix. A foliar spray application works best for this purpose.
For roses, the NGA suggests applying a spray of one tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water for each foot of plant height. This solution works best when applied as soon as leaves open, and again when flowers begin to bloom. For tomatoes and peppers, the recommended treatment is one tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Maximum effectiveness occurs when this mixture is sprayed on plants after transplanting, at flowering, and as fruits begin to set.[8]
Savvy gardeners also know that Epsom salt provides an effective, chemical-free alternative to toxic weed killers. A simple recipe mixing two cups Epsom salt, a gallon of water, and one-quarter cup dishwashing liquid can be applied to weeds with a sprayer. This action will cause them to die off within 8-12 hours. Be advised that this solution will kill any variety of plant, including your favorite ornamental shrubs and flowers, and should be used with caution.
Epsom Salt Side Effects
“Epsom salt is generally safe. However, it is possible to experience adverse side effects. In extreme cases, high doses of a magnesium supplement can lead to severe health issues.”
Epsom salt is generally safe. However, it is possible to experience adverse side effects. In extreme cases, large servings of a magnesium supplement can lead to severe health issues. In addition to diarrhea, cramping, and other gastrointestinal irritations, hypermagnesemia (magnesium toxicity) can occur with doses of more than 5,00 mg of magnesium per day. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, urine retention and paralytic ileus. These symptoms, if left unchecked, may progress and lead to irregular heartbeat, severe hypotension, difficulty breathing, kidney failure, and cardiac arrest.[1, 6]
Certain medications may interact with magnesium supplements, including diuretics, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and medicines used to treat osteoporosis. Magnesium may also interact with antibiotics in the tetracycline class (doxycycline and demeclocycline) or quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) unless taken two hours before, or six hours after taking these medicines.[1]
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before supplementing with magnesium sulfate during pregnancy, or while you are nursing. Seek professional advice as well if you take prescription medications, or if you have a chronic health condition.
Is Epsom Salt Right for You?
Epsom salt offers many benefits, and there’s no question that adding it to a hot bath and soaking does wonders for sore muscles. However, if your goal is to get your daily required intake of magnesium, try Intracal™. It’s a combination of calcium orotate and magnesium orotate, two vital nutrients that support healthy teeth and bones, the nervous system, and cardiovascular health.
Your Story
Have you ever used Epsom salt? Why did you use it? Did you find it helpful? We’d love to hear from you. Please tell us your Epsom salt story in the comments section below.
The post Epsom Salt: 10 Benefits for the Bath and Other Uses appeared first on Dr. Group's Healthy Living Articles.
source https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/epsom-salt/
No comments:
Post a Comment