An Epsom salt bath helps our body to gather necessary magnesium through skin absorption. Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate gets dissolved in the water quickly, and you can bathe in it for ten minutes to 1 hour.
This bath promotes good skin health, alleviates skin problems and joint or muscle pains, and fights constipation. It is also beneficial in pregnancy. In addition, it restores magnesium balance in our bodies.
Want to know more about this relaxing and effective bath method and its advantages? Here is a complete guide.
How To Prepare Epsom Salt Bath?
Do you want to know how much Epsom salt in bath water should be poured? According to the standard practice, you can add two cups of Epsom salt to one gallon of warm water.
Water may become slippery and promote skin dryness if you use Epsom salt in a greater quantity for your warm bath.
Nevertheless, it is always a smart practice to use the salt in a slightly lesser quantity for the first time.
Need a step-by-step guide on how to prepare an Epsom salt bath? Have a look.
- For the first bath, use 1 cup or 200 grams of Epsom salt for 1 gallon of water.
- Increase the Epsom salt amount to 300 grams or 1.5 cups as you start getting acclimatized after a few baths.
- After a month or so, use 2 cups or 400 grams of Epsom salt for 1 gallon of water.
Always take an Epsom salt bath in warm water. Using very hot water can cause skin burns or adverse effects in body pain.
What Are The Epsom Salt Bath Benefits?
An Epsom salt bath helps treat skin problems, yeast infections, and muscle pain. It is also beneficial for pregnant women.
Want to know more about the benefits of this bath? Have a look.
Did you know?
1. Epsom salt has been used as a laxative and cure for constipation for centuries. 2. Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate comes with magnesium that maintains our immune system, nerve function, and muscle system. 3. Magnesium sulfate also keeps our bones strong.
Taking Epsom Bath While Pregnant Has Multiple Benefits
Pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters, offers you a crazy experience. You cannot figure out why you have these body, feet, or back pains. Also, every other day, there can be some inflammation hitting you badly.
If you search for “Epsom salt bath pregnancy,” you will find out how it can take many of your discomforts away. It is a safer option than having over-the-counter medications.
Take a bath with Epsom salt for twice a week. Soak in the water for around 10-15 minutes, as it will be beneficial for you and the baby.
Constipation Relief
Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. Constipation and the pressure of the fetus on the womb can further cause hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids cause swelling, pain, and discomfort in the veins near your anus.
Epsom salt has anti-inflammatory properties, and it can calm the nerves. So, a bath with this solution will definitely alleviate the discomfort.
Better Magnesium Boost
Our body enjoys greater benefits of magnesium when it is absorbed by our skin. It is more effective than oral consumption. Also, when our body receives magnesium through the skin, the chances of drug interactions are eliminated.
With a magnesium boost in our body, we can enjoy the following health benefits.
- Repairing of tissues that control our blood sugar levels
- Alleviation of discomfort in the uterus
To enjoy these benefits, you should mix 2 cups of Epsom salt in your bathtub. Take a bath twice a week, and soak in the water for around 10-12 minutes each time.
Promotes Relaxation
When you take an Epsom salt bath, and your body receives magnesium through skin absorption, the serotonin hormone’s secretion will be boosted.
Serotonin alleviates the fight or stress response of our bodies. As a result, you don’t feel stressed. A magnesium sulfate bath is also effective in alleviating anxiety and depression as it increases the level of serotonin.
Alleviates Skin Problems
Your skin will stretch during pregnancy. As a result, you will experience itchiness and other skin discomforts.
A magnesium sulfate bath will soothe your skin. It also works as an exfoliator.
Take An Epsom Salt Bath For Yeast Infection
You can take a magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt bath for yeast infection. When you dissolve the mineral compound in water and bathe, you will get major relief from inflammation and itching.
Also, an Epsom salt bath will interfere with the growth of C. Albicans.
Epsom Salt Bath Cures Several Skin Problems
Taking an Epsom salt bath can help cure and alleviate many skin problems. You can take a magnesium sulfate bath to fight skin problems like:
- Inflammation
- Itching caused by skin contact with poisonous ivy
- Sunburn caused by harmful UV rays
- Other types of skin irritation
Epsom Salt Bath Helps Get Rid Of Muscle And Joint Pain
An Epsom salt bath works effectively to help you get rid of muscle stiffness. If you have pain in your muscles or feet, take a bath in this solution to promote relaxation and alleviation of pain.
As you dissolve the solution in the water, it breaks down into magnesium and sulfate. If you take a bath in that water, your skin will absorb these minerals. The minerals relax your muscles and reduce swelling. So, if you have arthritis, consider taking an Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate bath.
This bath is also a great method to reduce pain for fibromyalgia patients.
Now, you know about some major Epsom salt bath benefits. The table below will give you some additional information about how the bath will benefit you.
| Duration Of Epsom Salt Bath | Benefit | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 10-20 Minutes | Magnesium balance | Restores magnesium balance, alleviates body pain, especially beneficial for people suffering from fibromyalgia |
| 10-12 Minutes | Reduces pain and soreness in muscles | Works as an anti-inflammatory agentRelieves muscle tensionAlleviates cramps in the muscles |
| 15-20 Minutes | Smooth and soft skin | Reinforces skin barrierEnsures adequate skin hydrationAlleviates inflammation |
| 15-20 minutes | Laxative benefits | Improves bowel movement (can be effective after 30 minutes or a few hours of consumption) |
| 45-60 Minutes | Stress relief and relaxation | Boosts serotonin secretion so that your body is not in stress/fight mode anymore |
Does Epsom Salt Bath Have Any Side Effects?
Epsom salt bath is usually considered safe. However, if you are taking a bath for the first time, consider doing a patch test or consulting your dermatologist before soaking in.
Also, if you have any wounds on your skin, you must avoid taking an Epsom salt bath.
The side effects of an Epsom salt bath include rashes, skin infections, and itchiness.
Does Epsom Salt Bath Help In Weight Loss?
An Epsom salt bath is not a great way to lose weight. It does not promote better calorie loss than bathing in regular hot water for one hour.
You will lose around 130 calories by taking a hot bath. The calorie loss is equivalent to the calories you shed in a brisk walk for 30 minutes.
Are you looing for "Epsom salt bath weight loss?" it's a myth that you need to break. There is not enough evidence to prove the relationship between an Epsome salt bath and weight loss. However, having Epsom salt as a "salt detox" will help you to lose your water weight. it is not a great practice, as being a axative increases the risks of diarrhea. you will also regain the water weight once you stop having the Epsom salt.
The Takeaway
Epsom salt bath has been used for years and is often seen as a folk remedy. However, you cannot deny that magnesium is important for our body, and skin absorption is the best way to have it.
An Epsom salt or magnesium salt bath promotes a soothing experience, alleviates pain, releases muscle tension, fights constipation, and reduces stress.
So, get ready for a rejuvenating bath, and if you are already aware of the benefits of a magnesium sulfate bath, share your experience with me.
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