Benefits Of Salt Baths

Benefits of 

Baths

Dead Sea Salt Bath

The waters of the Dead Sea have been renowned for their therapeutic effects since ancient times.

The waters from the Dead Sea 27% of various salts as compared to 3% in normal sea water.

The balance of the salts in Dead Sea water is magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides.

Why are these types of salts beneficial? Magnesium is important for combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism.

Epsom salt 

Epsom Salt is a pure mineral compound (magnesium sulfate) in crystal form that gently exfoliates skin and smooths rough patches using wash cloth and rubbing in circular motion. Mixed with your favorite deep conditioner, Epsom Salt helps to add body to hair. Dissolved in a bath, Epsom Salt is absorbed through the skin to replenish the body's levels of magnesium. Studies indicate this may help to relieve stress in a number of ways, including: 

• Raising the body's level of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Offsetting excess levels of adrenaline generated by pressure and stress; magnesium ions relax and reduce irritability by lowering the affects of adrenaline.
• Helping to regulate the electrical functions that spark through miles of nerves.
• Lowering blood pressure.

Researchers have found that magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy packets made in the cells. Experts recommend soaking with Epsom Salt at least three times a week to look better, feel better and have more energy.

You can also take Magnesium supplements’ (see Supplements section)

 Magnesium and sulfate are both easily absorbed through the skin. Sulfates play an important role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of medicines and environmental contaminants.

Researchers and physicians suggest these health benefits from proper magnesium and sulfate levels, as listed on the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council:

• Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients.
• Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

Health Benefits:

Studies show these benefits from the 2 major components of Epsom Salt:

Magnesium:

• Ease stress and improves sleep and concentration
• Help muscles and nerves function properly
• Regulate activity of 325+ enzymes
• Help prevent artery hardening and blood clots
• Make insulin more effective
• Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps
• Improve oxygen use

Sulfates:

• Flush toxins
• Improve absorption of nutrients
• Help form joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins
• Help prevent or ease migraine headaches

Why it Works

Magnesium - the key component of Epsom Salt -- performs more functions in more systems of the human body than virtually any other mineral, including regulating the activity of more than 325 enzymes. Sulfates, one of the major components of Epsom Salt, have been shown effective in improving nutrient absorption and toxin elimination.

Studies show that magnesium is:

• An electrolyte, helping to ensure proper muscle, nerve and enzyme function.
• Critical to the proper use of calcium in cells.
• An aid in helping to prevent heart disease and strokes by lowering blood pressure, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of sudden heart attack deaths.

Medical research also indicates that magnesium may:

• Increase the effectiveness of insulin, helping to lower the risk or severity of diabetes.
• Reduce inflammation and relieves pain, making it a beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma, migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.

Soaking in an Epsom Salt bath is one of the most effective means of making the magnesium your body needs readily available. Studies indicate that sulfates are difficult to absorb from food, but are readily absorbed through the skin.

Health Usage Tips 

• For compresses: Use 2 cups of Epsom Salt per gallon of water for sore muscles, bug bites and splinter removal.
• For soaking: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to warm water in a standard-sized bathtub. Double the Epsom Salt for an oversized garden tub. Popular for easing muscle pain and fading bruises. Bathe three times weekly, soaking for at least 12 minutes.
• Foot bath: Add a cup of Epsom Salt to a tub of warm water as a popular balm for aching feet.
• Laxative: Consult the package directions for instructions.

FAQ about Epson salt

Question:
Is all Epsom Salt the same?
Answer:
The Epsom salt you buy in a container at one grocery store or pharmacy is the same, chemically all Epsom Salt is the same..

Question:
Does Epsom Salt dry your skin and leave a residue the way sea salt does?
Answer:
No. In fact, Epsom Salt is widely reported to soften skin, and it rinses away completely, these results have been widely reported for hundreds of years.

Question:
Is Epsom Salt safe to ingest?
Answer:
Epsom Salt is an FDA-approved laxative. Consult the package for directions. It's always a good idea to consult your doctor before ingesting any over-the-counter medication, however.

Question:
I have a medical condition. Is Epsom Salt safe to use?
Answer:
Please consult with your doctor first, just to be safe.

Question:
How is it possible to get any benefit from Epsom Salt just from soaking in it?
Answer:
Magnesium and sulfates can be ingested from foods or mineral supplements, but both substances are readily absorbed through the skin. The benefits of magnesium and sulfates are explained under the benefits section of this article.

Question:
I've heard that Epsom Salt is often used by parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism. Can you explain?
Answer:
Many doctors believe that autism is accompanied by bowel disorders that make it difficult to absorb nutrients and to purge the body of wastes. Magnesium, the other major component of Epsom Salt, has a demonstrated calming effect and plays a role in the activity of more than 325 enzymes. Because both magnesium and sulfates can be absorbed through the skin, many parents report that giving their child a warm bath with 1-2 cups of dissolved Epsom Salt just before bedtime helps extend the child's sleep cycle and ease digestive function.

Resources:

Epsom salt council

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