Boosts Magnesium Levels
Appropriate levels of magnesium are absolutely key to good health, and it is very common to have a magnesium deficiency. Known as hypomagnesemia, low magnesium levels can be caused by alcoholism, severe diarrhea, malnutrition or high calcium levels (hypercalcemia). By simply soaking your feet or entire body in a bath containing Epsom salt, internal levels of magnesium can be increased naturally without taking magnesium supplements.Magnesium regulates over 300 enzymes in the body and plays an important role in organizing many bodily functions, including muscle control, energy production, electrical impulses and the elimination of harmful toxins. Magnesium deficiencies contribute to today’s high rates of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive disorders as well as mental illness. By boosting your internal magnesium levels through external use of Epsom salt, you can help improve or ward off many avoidable health ailments.
Mildly Exfoliates the Skin
“People use it as an exfoliator, a blackhead reduction [method], and a standard facial cleanser,” says Andrew C. Krakowski, M.D., a dermatologist in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. That’s because unlike a lot of exfoliators on the market, Epsom salt isn’t made up of plastic. “It provides gentle abrasion and then dissolves into your tub or shower,” says Hill.
Pumps Up Puny Strands
Hills says Epsom salt can also be used as a hair volumizer, since it's great at removing gunk. “It will definitely give hair more body,” he says. How to use it: Mix equal parts Epsom salt and conditioner, massage into your hair, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing out. You can also use Epsom salt to create a paste that will eliminate dead skin on your scalp if you’re plagued by itching.
Eliminates Toxins
The sulfates in Epsom salt assist the body in flushing out toxins and providing a heavy metal detox from the body’s cells, hence lowering the internal accumulation of harmful substances. Human skin is a highly porous membrane; by adding minerals like magnesium and sulfate to your bathwater, it triggers a process called reverse osmosis, which actually pulls salt out of your body and harmful toxins along with it.
For a detoxing bath, add at least two cups of Epsom salt to bathwater and soak for 40 minutes total. The first 20 minutes will give your body time to remove toxins from your system while the last 20 minutes will allow you to absorb the minerals in the water and help you emerge from the bath feeling rejuvenated. Make sure to consume water before, during and after the bath to protect yourself from dehydration and increase detoxification.
Reduces Stress
Everyone has heard of the recommendation to have a good soak in a warm bath after a rough day (whether mentally or physically rough) — it’s a great way to bust stress. If you want to amplify the stress-reducing benefits of a nice, long soak, then add a cup or two of Epsom salt to your bathwater. Not only will the magnesium in the Epsom salt help to relax your muscles, it can also help to relax your mind.
According to research from the University of North Carolina, magnesium deficiency enhances stress reactions. Further studies show that magnesium has a profound effect on stress and neural excitability — and magnesium salts such as Epsom salt can reduce stress and improve neuropsychiatric disorders. Magnesium is critical to the production of energy in cells so, by increasing magnesium levels, you can feel revived without feeling restless (as opposed to how people feel revived from caffeine consumption).
Relieves pain and muscle cramps
An Epsom salt bath is known to ease pain and relieve inflammation, making it beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma, and migraine headaches. In addition, it has been known to heal cuts and reduce soreness from childbirth. Mix a thick paste of Epsom salt with hot water and apply to get soothing comfort. Try soaking your aching, tired (and smelly) feet in a tub of water with half a cup of our Ultra Epsom Salt. Epsom salt softens skin and will even neutralize foot odor.
Temporarily Reduces Bloat
Yep, soaking in an Epsom salt bath can be a quick fix for temporarily reducing water weight, says Sabrina Sarabella, certified personal trainer. The reason: The salt pulls toxins and water out of your system. (Word is Amanda Seyfried has actually used this trick to squeeze into a red carpet dress.) The best bath recipe: Add ½ cup of Epsom salt to your bath for every 50 pounds of body weight, says David Jockers, a chiropractor in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Soothes Sore Muscles
“If you have a sprained ankle or are just in pain, it can help drain out toxins or [reduce] inflammation,” says Jockers. He even points out that it can decrease pain during the early stages of labor. So fill up your tub!
Relaxes the Mind
Jockers recommends his clients regularly turn electronics off, throw on some music, lower the lights, and soak in the tub in an Epsom salt bath. “It’s a really awesome practice to be doing on a regular basis,” he says. “It’s really good for relaxation.” One study found that the magnesium in Epsom salt helps to lower cortisol, the stress hormone.
Helps prevent hardening of arteries and blood clots
Epsom salt is believed to improve heart health and help prevent heart disease and strokes by improving blood circulation, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots, and reducing the risk of sudden heart attack deaths.
Improves Your Bone Health
Because Epsom salt has magnesium, taking a bath in the product allows users to absorb the element, which can help with bone health, says Sarabella. “Many people think that consuming calcium through dairy products is [the most important thing for bone health],” she says. “But that’s untrue. You need magnesium.”
And what not to use it for: Though there is information floating around out there about the possibility of using Epsom salt for an internal cleanse, Krakowski warns against it, stating that many outrageous claims about the product should be “taken with a grain of salt”—pun intended. “Do not confuse this product with something that you would want to use internally [by ingesting it],” he says. “You will get into trouble doing that.” Noted.
Makes insulin more effective
Proper magnesium and sulfate levels increase the effectiveness of insulin in the body, and can help to lower the risk or severity of diabetes.
Relieves constipation
Numerous studies have revealed that Epsom salt can be used to treat constipation. Taken internally, Epson salt acts as a detoxifying agent for colon cleansing. The salt acts like a laxative by increasing water in the intestines and can bring about temporary relief from constipation. However, it is strictly warned that Epsom salts should not be used to relieve constipation without the consultation of a physician.
Improves Blood Sugar Levels
Healthy magnesium levels have been linked with a reduced risk of developing diabetes. Epsom salt is an excellent source of magnesium. Both magnesium and sulfate help improve the body’s ability to produce and utilize insulin. Regular oral intake of Epsom salts, can help to regulate blood sugar, lowering the risk of diabetes and improving daily energy levels. Studies continue to show how a healthy intake of magnesium is associated with a lower risk of the development of type 2 diabetes in both men and women, proving Epsom salts work as natural diabetes remedies.
Gardening uses
Fertilize your houseplants: Most plants need nutrients like magnesium and sulfur to stay in good health, and Epsom salt makes the primary nutrients in most plant foods (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) more effective. Sprinkle Epsom salt once weekly to help nourish your houseplants, flowers, and vegetables.
Keep your lawn green: Magnesium sulfate crystals, when added to the soil, provide vital nutrients that help prevent yellowing leaves and the loss of green color (magnesium is an essential element in the chlorophyll molecule) in plants. Add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and sprinkle on your lawn to keep the grass healthy and green.
Insecticide spray: Use Epson salts on your lawn and in your garden to safely and naturally get rid of plant pests.
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