Epsom Salt..love soaking in a tub with it!

For as long as I can remember (adult remembering :-), I have loved soaking in a tub with added Epsom Salt. I used it quite a bit when I was running and doing a lot of weight work to ease my sore muscles. I still use it to relax, to help get rid of bruises, for ingrown toenails (once), and to help my sleep.

I love that it doesn't dry out my skin. It leaves it feeling nice and soft after a bath.

Many doctors, functional and traditional, suggest it for their patients to help with a number of health issues. I've compiled a list below of things that I came across while researching.

I always learn so much when I start researching a topic! I will definitely be taking more nice, long, hot baths at night before bed in the future. 

---------------------------------

Side note: Wondering why I'm focusing on Epsom Salts? A "traditional" doc ala one knows medicine but doesn't know nutrition or anything "natural", mocked, to a patient, a previous doctor's recommendation to take an Epsom Salt bath. First, what kind of doctor laughs at another doctor who trained the same way he did, plus extended their training to include more nutrition, more "whole-body" treatments? Second, why do that as a human being? I like the guy but that one really burned me... He missed the part where the doctor was pushing that same patient to have a scan to find out what was going on with her stomach, bowels, the hardness she felt when she did her exam... I'm betting he didn't check her stomach. Hmph. Not all doctors are alike. Some follow up, send emails to find out how their patients are doing, do extra research to find ways to help and think outside the box a bit within medical reason. OK, stopping my rant :-). But I do love my doctor...she is the first doctor I have ever had who listens, who asks questions, who goes above and beyond.

---------------------------------

Like many other "home" remedies there isn't a lot of research. But what there is does support it as a reasonable, useful addition to our home health arsenal. Unless something has money-making potential dollars don't flow for studies. Epsom Salt is cheap. It is never going to make those who fund studies, primarily drug companies*, any money.

Most of us know we can drink the stuff and poop like crazy. It tastes horrible, but it works. Just don't overdo it. Bleh. Why would you when magnesium works just as well? Oh, wait, Epsom salt is a mineral compound of magnesium...and sulfate. The full, correct, name is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate.  Still, magnesium, especially in drinks like Calm, works just as well.


Ever wonder where the word "Epsom" came from? Epsom is a spring in Surrey, England where it originated from and was distilled from the water. In today's world, it is derived from mining.

From Salt Works, https://seasalt.com/epsom-salt-uses-and-benefits
"Studies have shown that magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin**, making Epsom salt baths an easy and ideal way to enjoy the associated health benefits. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function, and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins, and help ease migraine headaches.

Here is a list of things Epsom Salts, known to be anti-inflammatory, may help with --- some possibly better if you take it rather than soak in it, but then why not just take magnesium?:

• Arthritis pain and swelling
• Bruises and sprains
• Making insulin more productive
• Fibromyalgia
• Ingrown toenails
• Insomnia
• Psoriasis and other skin issues
• Sore muscles
• Athlete's foot
• Soreness from diarrhea during chemotherapy
• Flushing toxins (there is a lot of debate on this one in regards to detoxing via soaking in a tub)
• Sunburn pain and redness
• Decreasing the oil in your hair (mix some with hair conditioner)
• Blood pressure 
• Gout pain
• Exfoliating your skin
• Constipation (FDA approved as a laxative)
• Tired, swollen feet
• Reducing inflammation to help get out splinters (reducing inflammation is a good idea whether you have a splinter or not :-)) 
• Relieve pain from bug bites and bee stings
• There is one study that indicates soaking can help someone lose weight...I'm a bit skeptical on this one as I would weigh 10 lbs by now as many baths as I've had over the years!
• Fertilizing your yard
• Bug spray (for your yard, getting rid of pests on your plants) 
• Combined with dish soap it's good for scrubbing counters and tiles

This site has a long list of things that Epsom Salt can do, too. Check it out: https://preparednessmama.com/25-uses-for-epsom-salts/

Dr. Rosemary Waring, a British biochemist, Univerity of Birmingham, is a strong proponent of using Epsom Salts to help with autism and has a number of studies. Here are a few links that mention Waring as a source, the first two deal more with autism. I would suggest doing a search on Waring and autism if that is an area you are interested in pursuing.

• http://www.enzymestuff.com/epsomsalts.htm
• https://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2011/03/forgotten-research-sulphation-and.html
• https://blog.paleohacks.com/epsom-salt/#
• https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/epsom_salt_as_a_home_remedy
• https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/11/28/sulfur-benefits.aspx 

Too much is not a good thing so be sure to read the package labels. Watch out if you are also taking a magnesium supplement. It can make some medications harder to absorb so check with your doctor if you're taking antibiotics or other medications.

Additions if you're using it in a bath:

• Olive oil
• Baking soda
• Peroxide
• Essential oils like lavender, frankincense, orange
• Apple cider vinegar
• Coconut oil
• Fresh rosemary (good for your memory also)
• Bentonite clay
• Here's a recipe for an oatmeal, rose soak that sounds great: https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-oatmeal-bath-recipe/

* I plan to do a blog on who funds studies at some point. I read that statement over and over in my research travels but haven't verified it myself.
** There is debate on how much if any is absorbed through the skin. There ARE studies showing it is absorbed...but there are skeptics, too. Well, actually, I found two articles that were skeptical and about a bazillion that promoted and said the salt was great. Figured in the interest of being fair that I should at least mention that some doubted.

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/epsom-salt-bath#1
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/epsom-salts-in-the-garden/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/epsom-salt/
https://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321627
https://seasalt.com/epsom-salt-uses-and-benefits