Epsom Salts are such wonderful way to increase your magnesium intake and they are used mainly to relax tired muscles
What is Epsom Salts Made of?
Otherwise known as magnesium sulphate, epsom salts were first discovered in the town of Epsom, which is about 15miles from central London. It was in the early 1600s that villagers discovered the bitter salty spring and began to boil the waters down to derive the ‘salts’ which were then used to treat a variety of ailments. Epsom Salts soon became popular and the town of Epsom expanded to become one of Britain’s earliest spa town.
Customers came from far and wide to sample the famously purgative salts and they used to drink it from stoneware mugs on an empty stomach. Unfortunately, the low supply of mineral water in the town lead to the salts eventually being manufactured elsewhere, but they did retain the name of their origin.
What is Epsom Salts Used For?
In the old days of Epsom, the salts were mainly taken orally and endeared for their laxative effect. These days, its use is much more exciting:
- Applied directly onto the skin as a treatment for acne and blackheads
- Foot soak to relieve aching, smelly or hard-skinned feet
- Relief of sunburn and insect stings
- Draw splinters out of the skin with an Epsom Salt paste (see below for how to make the paste)
- Reduction of muscle aches, pains, cramps and strains
- Stress relief
- Reduction of the occurrence and severity of migraines and headaches
Click picture for purchase info - Helps prevent infection and encourages healing of wounds
- Great for skin exfoliation
- Soak for detox
- Provides oil control for oily hair and volume to thin hair
- Magnesium sulfate is also commonly used as a first line IV drug in cardiac arrest and severe asthma (source: Wikipedia)
How to Make an Epsom Salt Bath Soak
An Epsom Salt bath soak is en excellent and effective way to increase your daily magnesium intake while relieving the symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
Read more: What is Magnesium For?
Dissolve 2 cups of Epsom Salts into your nice and warm bath water. Do not add soap as this will decrease the effectiveness of the magnesium. Soak for around 20 minutes to relax and rejuvenate tired muscles. Repeat this 3 times weekly for the ultimate muscle treatment.
For a foot soak?
Throw a cup of Epsom Salts into a basin of warm water and soak your feet for 15 minutes to relieve tired and aching feet after a long day.
How to make Epsom Salt paste
Mix 1tsp Epsom Salts with half tsp of water over heat until salt dissolves and a paste forms. Cool before use then apply directly to skin for acne treatment.
Where to Buy Epsom Salts?
Epsom Salts are available fragranced or non, from your local pharmacy.
They are also easily purchased online at Amazon
Other Ways to get your Daily Magnesium
Unfortunately, due to the introduction of modern farming techniques which has led to the depletion of magnesium in the soil, it is no longer possible to gain the required daily amount of 320mg – 420mg from dietary sources alone (NIH).
Read More: Magnesium Rich Foods
So more and more people are turning to supplementation for the answer. More than 75% of Americans are at risk of magnesium deficiency. Have a look at some of these classic symptoms of deficiency to see if any ring true for you:
- High blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Twitching eyelid
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Aching, tired muscles
- Sleep disturbances
- Constipation
- Headaches/Migraines
- High blood sugar levels
- Dehydration
- Irritability
- Anxiety
Read More: Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium supplementation comes in many convenient shapes, sizes, forms and modes of delivery. Magnesium sulfate in the form of Epsom Salts is one of the easiest ways to increase your magnesium intake and combat magnesium deficiency. It is as simple as having a bath.
Other common magnesium supplements can be found as:
- Magnesium oil or lotions for application onto skin for direct absorption
- Magnesium tablets, capsules, powder or oral liquids
- Magnesium transdermal patches
There are also several different types of magnesium all with slightly different modes of action, and some with side effects. These different forms can be either organic or inorganic and have varying degrees of bioavailability and absorption rates.
The best forms of magnesium supplements:
Some types of magnesium that are NOT recommended are:
Click on the links for more information on each of the common types of magnesium above.
Read more: Top 3 Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium Sulfate as Epsom Salts in a bath soak is one of the most effective ways to relieve tired and aching muscles and prevent symptoms of magnesium deficiency from affecting your everyday life.
It is a relaxing, gentle, convenient and cost effective way of increasing your magnesium intake while relieving stress.
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Please drop us a line below about your experience with magnesium deficiency or if you have any further questions regarding just what is Epsom Salts and how it can help you.