Epsom salt baths are a magic cure all
Get rid of water weight, sore muscles, and stress naturally
Remember when your grandma used to say that Epsom salt baths were a cure all? It turns out that she was right! There’s nothing more refreshing and invigorating than a warm bath with Epsom salts. Rich in sulfate and magnesium, these salts relieve muscle tension and stress, improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Athletes have been using them for decades to recover from training. Hollywood celebrities swear by Epsom salt baths for weight loss and overall health.
As a regular gym goer, I’m often struggling with sore muscles, back pain, or fatigue. When you’re training hard, it’s easy to go overboard. Surprisingly, Epsom bath salts really help. I was skeptical at first, but after doing some reading, I decided to give them a try. The results were immediate. This cheap drugstore staple took my pain away and relaxed my whole body within minutes. Here is how it works and why you should try it:
What are Epsom salts?
Epsom salt baths have long been used as a cure for muscle pain and soreness, injuries, stress, and body aches. From wellness experts to fitness pros and Crossfitters, everyone is praising their benefits. Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt is found in just about any health store. It costs just a few dollars and doesn’t require a prescription.
When mixed with water, both magnesium and sulfate are absorbed into the skin. Magnesium, the second most abundant mineral in the human body, regulates over 300 biochemical reactions. It plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, brain function, calcium absorption, bone growth, and muscle repair. Yet, over 80 percent of the population is deficient in this mineral.
Magnesium deficiency has been linked to anxiety, depression, poor digestion, insomnia, arthritis, and seizures. This condition may occur because of stress, gastrointestinal diseases, high sodium consumption, or bad eating. A diet that’s low in magnesium may lead to muscle cramps, weakness, mood swings, and recurring infections. Epsom salts can help prevent magnesium deficiency and restore your health. Additionally, they contain sulfates that help flush out toxins and improve your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food
The health benefits of Epsom salt baths
The wonders of Epsom salt baths have been known for centuries. People from all over the world use them as a natural cure for sleep disorders, chronic stress, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis pain. These salts can relieve most symptoms caused by magnesium deficiency. Rich in sulfates, they help detoxify your body, support the production of digestive enzymes, and prevent brain damage.
Magnesium, the primary compound in Epsom salts, improves the body’s ability to produce and utilize insulin, which is particularly helpful for diabetics. This mineral also balances your electrolyte levels, leading to enhanced nerve function and faster recovery from training. Additionally, it supports cardiovascular and circulatory health, regulates blood pressure, and prevents atherosclerosis.
Soaking in a bath with Epsom salt helps pull toxins out of your system and allows minerals to enter your bloodstream. In the long run, these healing baths can lower inflammation, boost immune function, and improve bone health.
Personally, I use Epsom salts to fight fluid retention. A warm bath can temporarily reduce water weight and flatten your belly. All you need to do is to add two or three cups of Epsom salts to your bathtub and soak for at least 15 minutes. When combined with dry brushing the benefits are even greater. Unlike diuretics, Epsom salts are safe and have no side effects.
Get rid of pain and recover faster from training
In general, pain is caused by inflammation in the muscles and joints. Loaded with magnesium, Epsom salts can ease your aches and restore your range of motion. For this reason, they’re widely used in the treatment of gout, arthritis pain, sports injuries, and swollen joints.
Intense training and stress deplete magnesium levels in the body, causing soreness and cramps. Top athletes use Epsom bath salts as part of their recovery plan. Magnesium assists with protein synthesis and muscle repair, offering relief from exercise-induced pain. It also eases PMS symptoms and regulates your mood. Studies have found that female athletes who take Epsom salt baths regularly experience less pain and feel better overall during their periods.
These salts contain electrolytes that help improve muscle function and reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines in your cells and tissues. Thus, they cause contracted muscles to relax and speed up healing from injuries. You can also take Epsom salt baths for lower back pain, neck pain, migraines, and sprains.
Are there any side effects?
Epsom salt baths are considered safe for people of all ages, including children. Just make sure you don’t use more than two cups for a standard-sized tub. Pregnant or nursing women benefit from these salts too. Magnesium sulfate is actually recommended for treating pre-eclampsia, a condition that occurs in up to five percent of pregnancies.
Be aware that soap, exfoliating lotions, and shower gel can interfere with the minerals in Epsom salts. For a more relaxing experience, add a few drops of essential oils to your bath water. When you’re done, simply get out of the tub, take some rest, and watch the magic healing begin.
