Salt baths have been used as a form of bathing ritual since the oldest of times. They are considered a form of healing and are known to ease all kinds of aches, including arthritis and muscle pain.
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It’s not uncommon for spa centers to provide luxurious services and therapies with salt and water. Salt water draws out toxins from the body and eases stress among providing other benefits.
One of the most important tools for bathing is Epsom salt, which is actually a pure mineral compound containing magnesium and sulfate. Epsom salt is named after a saline spring located in Surrey, England and is one of the best bathing salts to use for relaxation.
Some of the benefits of bathing with Epsom salt:
It relaxes the body.
Using only a few cups of Epsom salt in a tub full of warm water will help relax the body and ease stress. During the bathing process, the skin absorbs the salt and the body is nourished with magnesium, which also helps produce serotonin, both of which decrease in levels when we experience stress.
It relieves muscle cramps.
Athletes often bath in Epsom salt after extensive training to relieve muscle pain and prevent inflammation. Epsom salt is also known to ease headaches and asthma. You don’t need to always bath in Epsom salt, as simply soaking your feet in warm salty water will have beneficial effects on your aching body.
You can also soak your feet in Epsom salt water to treat toenail fungus. Use up to three times a day until the affected foot has healed.
It relieves constipation.
Aside from bathing, Epsom salt can be used internally as a natural ailment for constipation and as a detoxifying agent to cleanse the colon. Make sure to consult with your doctor before taking Epsom salt internally, because although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves of Epsom salt as a safe laxative, it is important to know how to use this treatment.
It detoxifies the entire body.
It may be hard to believe, but simply soaking in Epsom salt for as little as 20 minutes helps eliminate many of the toxins we absorb through food consumption and personal care products.
It is recommended that you bathe for at least 20 minutes because that’s how long it takes to remove toxins, and preferably you take as long as 40 minutes because during the second part of the bathing process is when the body starts absorbing the minerals in salt.
If you can, make Epsom salt a part of your daily personal care routine. As mentioned already, you don’t always have to take a salty bath, you can simply soak your feet in Epsom water and allow the benefits to sink in.
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As for baths, three times a week is enough to experience the numerous health benefits of Epsom salt. Use half a cup of salt when you’re soaking and up to 2 cups when you’re bathing.