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The name of Epsom Salt is deceiving as it only looks similar to table salt, it actually comprises a blend of minerals as its scientific name is magnesium sulfate. It’s called Epsom Salt because it comes from a natural hot saline spring in Epsom, England.

What’s the deal with Epsom Salt Baths?

Magnesium

Magnesium is a vital element for our cells to function properly. It is responsible for regulating over 300 enzymes in the body and coordinates energy production and eliminates toxins. There’s a good chance you could use a bit more magnesium considering that 68% of Americans are deficient. The reason people are deficient in magnesium may be due to diet or other factors including excessive alcohol, caffeine or salt consumption and chronic stress. While it is important to combat a deficiency with eating whole foods high in magnesium such as seeds, nuts and vegetables it is not enough. For highly active individuals, minerals such as magnesium can be lost due to perspiration and so trying to up your intake of magnesium by consuming whole foods alone just won’t cut it.

Epsom Salt Baths

So, while supplementing orally with magnesium can be beneficial, it isn’t as effective as topical application, or absorbing magnesium through your pores by means of a bath. A warm bath containing epsom salt opens your pores and will provide your body with sulfate and magnesium by absorption through your skin into your blood stream. You will absorb nutrients while eliminating toxins and soften your skin. Epsom salt baths are even a great way to recover your muscles after exercising to decrease soreness. 

Magnesium & Epsom Salt Bath Benefits

Reduces stress

  • Magnesium is a key component in the functioning of our body. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Increases relaxation and sleep

  • A warm bath one or two hours prior to bedtime for 10 minutes minimum will reduce sleep latency and improve sleep quality.
  • Epsom salt decreases stress by promoting serotonin secretion to make us feel calm and relaxed.
  • Under bouts of stress your bodies levels of magnesium deplete. Magnesium depletion is associated with reduced melatonin production. Through the absorption of magnesium in a warm Epsom salt bath your body is able to replenish magnesium, regulate and increase melatonin production and therefore improve sleep. 
  • In a study with elderly participants, supplementing with magnesium improved insomnia factors including sleep latency and length and quality of sleep. 

Reduces pain and muscle discomfort

Detoxification

  • Sulfate and magnesium play a role in detoxification processes in our body. Sulfate eliminates toxins and heavy metals from our cells while magnesium promotes the production of energy (ATP) which helps cells to eliminate toxins. 

Glucose Regulation

Magnesium Chloride Baths

Even though epsom salt baths composed of magnesium sulfate are more popular, magnesium chloride baths provide more benefits. Compared to magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride is superior because of its clinical and pharmacological effects and its lower tissue toxicity. In addition, magnesium chloride is more bioavailable and absorbed by our body. So, instead of epsom salts, these magnesium chloride flakes may provide you more bang for your buck. 

If you’re not a bath person but still want to supplement with magnesium, then the suggested daily intake should be between 7-10mg/kg.

Recommended Product

Get it: Epsom Salt or Epsom Salts with Essential Oils