What Is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate.
It’s a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.
It gets its name from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, where it was originally discovered.
Despite its name, Epsom salt is a completely different compound than table salt.
It was most likely called “salt” because of its chemical structure.
It has an appearance similar to table salt and is often dissolved in baths, which is why it’s referred to as “bath salt.”
While it may look like table salt, its taste is completely different.
Epsom salt is quite bitter and it tastes horrible.
Having said that, some people still drink it by dissolving the salt in water and drinking it.
For hundreds of years, this Epsom salt has been used to treat ailments, such as constipation, insomnia, and fibromyalgia.
Most of the reported benefits of Epsom salt are attributed to its magnesium, a mineral that a lot of people do not get enough of.
How Does It Work?
When Epsom salt is dissolved in water, it releases magnesium and sulfate ions.
These particles are absorbed through your skin, providing you with magnesium and sulfates — which serve important bodily functions.
The most common use for Epsom salt is in baths, where it is simply dissolved in bathwater.
Reported Health Benefits and Uses of Epsom Salt
Many people, including some healthcare professionals, say Epsom salt is therapeutic and use it as an alternative treatment for certain conditions.
Provides Magnesium
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, the first being calcium.
It is involved in more than 325 biochemical reactions that benefit your heart and nervous system.
Many people do not consume enough magnesium.
While magnesium sulfate has value as a magnesium supplement, some people claim that magnesium may be better absorbed using Epsom salt baths than when taken by mouth.
Promotes Sleep and Stress Reduction
Adequate magnesium levels are essential for sleep and stress management, likely because magnesium helps your brain produce neurotransmitters that induce sleep and reduce stress.
Magnesium may also help your body produce melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep.
Low magnesium levels may negatively affect sleep quality and stress. Some people claim that taking Epsom salt baths can reverse these issues by allowing your body to absorb magnesium through the skin.
Helps With Constipation
Magnesium is often used to treat constipation.
It appears to be helpful because it draws water into your colon, which promotes bowel movements.
Most often, magnesium is taken by mouth for constipation relief in the form of magnesium citrate or magnesium hydroxide.
However, taking Epsom salt is also said to be effective, laxative.
It can be taken by mouth with water according to the directions on the package.
Adults are usually advised to take 2–6 teaspoons (10–30 grams) of Epsom salt at a time, dissolved in at least 8 ounces (237 ml) of water and consumed immediately.
You can expect a laxative effect in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
But be aware, consuming Epsom salt may produce side effects, such as bloating and liquid stool.
It should only be used occasionally as a laxative, not for long-term relief.
Exercise Performance and Recovery
Taking Epsom salt baths can reduce muscle soreness and relieve cramps — both important factors for exercise performance and recovery.
It is well known that adequate magnesium levels are helpful for exercise because magnesium helps your body use glucose and lactic acid.
Reduced Pain and Swelling
Another common benefit is that Epsom salt helps reduce pain and swelling.
Many people report that taking Epsom salt baths improves symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Again, the magnesium is deemed responsible for these effects, since many people with fibromyalgia and arthritis are deficient in this mineral.
There are doubters who don’t believe any of this and they have that right.
All we can tell you is Epsom salt baths work for us.
