Benefits Of Epsom Salt Bath for skin, hair & health

August 21, 2021 Written by GP Team

Epsom salt when commonly added to a hot bath or foot soak is known as Epsom salt bath. An Epsom salt bath is a superior holistic therapy that is known to ease pain, loosen joint stiffness and relieve inflammation. This property of easing pain and relieving inflammation makes it beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma, and migraine headaches. Epsom salt bath also helps in promoting weight loss, healing the cuts and reducing the soreness from childbirth.

Benefits Of Epsom Salt Bath 

Health Benefits Of Using Epsom Salt 

  1. Helps In Relieving Muscle Sprains And Muscle Aches 

Soaking your body in an Epsom salt bath efficiently helps in relieving the pain from the muscle that has been sprained or strained. 

  1. Helps In Alleviating Headache 

Soaking your body in a warm Epsom salt bath greatly helps in alleviating tension headaches. Soaking in an Epsom bath relaxes the tense muscles of the neck, back and shoulders which in turn help in relieving the pain felt in the head. 

  1. Relieves Pain Caused Due To Gout 

A soak for 20 – 30 minutes in a warm Epsom salt bath works great in relieving pain caused due to Gout. Magnesium present in Epsom salt helps in combating the inflammation, due to which there is a decrease in the swelling and one gets relief from the pain.

  1. Warding Off Insomnia 

A soak for 20 – minutes before going to bed relaxes both body and mind. This makes all the stresses let go. This in turn puts you in the right state where you can fall asleep fast. 

  1. Prevents Injury And Speeds Up Healing 

Epsom salt bath helps a lot in preventing injuries and also helps in speeding up the recovery of injuries. Epsom salt bath works great at preventing general strain and fatigue to muscles.

  1. Helps In Lifting Up The Mood

A nice soak in Epsom salt bath at least two times a day relaxes the mind and provides some great psychological benefits. Epsom salt bath reduces stress and provides many important physical and psychological benefits like lifting up your overall mood and energy level, and keeping your immune system strong.

Skin Benefits Of Using Epsom Salt 

  1. Relieves Minor Skin Irritations 

Minor skin irritations or itching caused by insect bites or sunburn can be alleviated by soaking the body in a cool Epsom salt bath. Cool Epsom salt bath works great in reducing the pain caused due to bee stings or other insect bites. 

  1. Reduce The Appearance Of Bruises 

A cool Epsom salt bath prepared by dissolving 1/2 cup of Epsom salt in cool water present in the bathtub helps a lot in reducing the appearance of bruises. 

  1. Softens The Rough Skin 

A warm Epsom salt bath helps in removing the layer of dead skin cells. Even a gentle rub will work as exfoliation which will wipe away the dead layer of the skin. This leaves the skin soft and smooth. 

Hair Benefits Of Using Epsom Salt 

  1. Get Rid Of Frizz 

Soak in a warm Epsom salt bath helps a lot in controlling and managing the frizz in the hair. It also leaves the hair softer and smoother. 

Homemade Recipes For Epsom Salt 

  • Remedy 1: Epsom Salt Detox Bath Recipe 

Ingredients: 

  • Epsom salt – 1 to 2 cups 
  • Lavender essential oil – 10 to 20 drops
  • Baking soda – 1 cup
  • Apple cider vinegar – 1/3 cup

Procedure: 

  1. Fill the bathtub up with lukewarm water.
  2. Add 1 – 2 cups of Epsom salt to the water. 
  3. Add 10 – 20 drops of lavender essential oil, 1 cup baking soda and 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar in the water. 
  4. Soak your body in an Epsom salt bath for at least 15 – 20 minutes. This will let the magnesium enter your body through the skin. 
  5. Take Epsom salt bath 3 times a week.  
  • Remedy 2: Salt Bath Recipe 

Ingredients: 

  • Epsom salt – 2 cup
  • Baking soda – 1/2 cup
  • Dead Sea salt – 1/4 cup
  • Lavender essential oil – 30 drops
  • Peppermint essential oil – 10 drops
  • Argan oil – 1/4 cup

Procedure: 

  1. Take a medium-size bowl and add 2 cups of Epsom salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup of Dead Sea salt, 1/4 cup argan oil, 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 30 drops of peppermint essential oil. 
  2. Mix all ingredients well. 
  3. Transfer this mixture to an air-tight container. 
  4. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the bathtub filled with lukewarm water. 
  5. Stir the water and soak your body for 15 – 20 minutes.
  6. Repeat it at least thrice a week.
  • Remedy 3: Epsom – Kosher Salt Bath Recipe 

Ingredients:

  • Epsom salt – 1 cup 
  • Kosher salt – 1 cup
  • Baking soda – 1/2 cup 
  • Essential oils (Lavender, peppermint etc) – 20 drops 

Procedure: 

  1. Take a medium-sized bowl and add 1 cup of Epsom salt, 1 cup of kosher salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda. 
  2. Now add 20 drops of your favourite essential oil to the mixture. 
  3. Mix all the ingredients well. 
  4. Transfer this mixture into an air-tight container and store the container in a cool and dry place. 
  5. Pour 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of the mixture into the bathtub filled with lukewarm water. 
  6. Stir the water and soak your body for 15 – 20 minutes. 
  7. Repeat it at least twice a week.
  • Remedy 4: Clay Detox Bath Recipe 

Ingredients:

  • Bentonite clay – 1/2 cup 
  • Epsom salts – 1/2 cup 
  • Essential oils (lavender or peppermint) – 10 drops

Procedure:

  1. Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water. 
  2. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and 10 drops of essential oil in the water. 
  3. Completely dissolve the Epsom salt in water. 
  4. Now take a medium-sized bowl and completely mix 1/2 cup of bentonite clay in a small amount of water. 
  5. Now pour this mixture of clay and water into the bathtub and stir. 
  6. Soak in this clay-salt bath for at least 20 minutes. 
  7. Repeat it twice a week. 
  • Remedy 5: Essential Oil Detox Bath Recipe 

Ingredients: 

  • Epsom salt – 1 cup
  • Chamomile essential oil – 4 drops
  • Marjoram oil – 2 drops
  • Ylang – ylang oil – 2 drops
  • Basil oil – 1 drop

Procedure: 

  1. Take a bowl and add 1 cup of Epsom salt, 4 drops of Chamomile oil, 2 drops of Marjoram oil, 2 drops of Ylang-ylang oil and 1 drop of basil oil. 
  2. Mix all these ingredients well. 
  3. Transfer the mixture to an air-tight container and leave it overnight. 
  4. Use 1/2 cup of the mixture every time you bathe.
  5. Soak your body for at least 20 minutes.
  6. Repeat it at least twice a week.
  • Remedy 6: Salt Detox Bath Recipe 

Ingredients: 

  • Epsom salt – 1/2 cup
  • Dead Sea salt – 1/2 cup
  • Bergamot oil – 4 drops
  • Orange oil – 3 drops
  • Basil oil – 1 drop

Procedure: 

  1. Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water. 
  2. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt, 1/2 cup of Dead Sea salt in the water. 
  3. Dissolve the salt completely in the water. 
  4. Now add 4 drops of Bergamot oil, 3 drops in orange oil and 1 drop of basil oil in the water. 
  5. Stir the water for few seconds. 
  6. Soak your body for at least 20 minutes.
  7. Repeat it twice a week.
  • Remedy 7: Essential Oil Detox Bath Recipe 

Ingredients: 

  • Epsom salt – 1 cup
  • Sandalwood essential oil – 3 drops
  • Rosewood oil – 2 drops
  • Ylang – ylang oil – 2 drops
  • Patchouli oil – 1 drop

Procedure: 

  1. Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water. 
  2. Completely dissolve 1 cup of Epsom salt in the water. 
  3. Now add 3 drops of sandalwood essential oil, 2 drops in Rosewood oil, 2 drops of Ylang-ylang oil and 1 drop of Patchouli oil in the water.
  4. Stir the water and soak your body for at least 20 minutes.
  5. Repeat it twice a week.

How Does It Work?

Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulphate. When dissolved in water Epsom salt breaks down into its constituent particles. When we soak our body in an Epsom salt bath the constituents of Epsom salt that are magnesium and sulphate get absorbed into the body through the skin. After getting absorbed through the skin these constituents move into the bloodstream by the process of reverse osmosis. These elements then help in relaxing the muscles and loosening stiff joints. Epsom salt pulls out harmful toxins from the body through the skin and allows elements like magnesium and sulphates to enter. Magnesium is required by around 325 enzymes. This element supports nerve and muscle functions, reduces inflammation, and improves blood circulation throughout the body. Whereas, Sulphate is required for the development and maintenance of healthy joints as well as nervous and skin tissue.

Myths And Facts

Myth Fact
Myth: Epsom salt bath doesn’t work for skin infections. Fact: Epsom salt baths are very effective in the treatment of topical skin infections, as salt is inhospitable to microorganisms. A strong salt solution is anti-bacterial in nature and kills the bacteria by sucking out water from them and rendering the bacteria dry.
Myth: Prolonged bath in Epsom salt dries out your skin making it rough. Fact: NO, an Epsom salt bath doesn’t dry out the skin. In fact, it is widely reported that regular use of Epsom salt while bathing makes the skin soft and hydrated. Mineral-rich Epsom salt bath turns rough, dry skin into the smooth, soft skin, especially when you use partially dissolved salt crystals to exfoliate dead skin cells.

Precautions 

  1. You should avoid taking Epsom salt bath if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have diabetes, as excessive absorption of magnesium by the body may prove to be harmful to your health. 
  2. You are not suitable to take an Epsom salt bath if you suffer from skin irritation, allergic reaction or any other side effects after soaking.
  3. Soaking your body in an Epsom salt bath for 20 – 30 minutes should not be harmful and should not cause any symptoms. But to be on the safer side it is always told that one should not take an Epsom salt bath for more than 20 minutes. 
  4. Individuals who consume antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and certain heart medications like digitalis should avoid Epsom salt bath as they may experience interactions with Epsom salts.

Side Effects 

Although magnesium toxicity is rare as a result of Epsom salt baths prolonged exposure to Epsom salt can be harmful and its side effects may include:

  1. Skin irritation or allergy-like symptoms 

Individuals who have an allergy to sulphur may show sensitivity to Epsom salts and might experience skin irritation or other allergy-like symptoms after soaking.

  1. Diarrhoea or upset stomach  

Bathing in Epsom salts for long periods can dehydrate the body. This mainly happens due to the presence of magnesium sulphate in Epsom salt. Magnesium sulfate has a laxative effect, which can cause diarrhoea.  

  1. Fall in blood pressure or hypotension 
  2. Dizziness or light-headedness  
  3. Increased, decreased, or irregular heartbeat  
  4. Sleepiness or drowsiness 
  5. Muscle weakness
  6. Confusion
  7. Nausea and vomiting 
  8. Flushed skin

Frequently Asked Questions 

Question: Why is Epsom salt bath better than other salt baths?

Answer: Epsom salt bath is less harmful to the body and skin than other salt baths. Epsom salt only contains naturally occurring minerals like magnesium and sulphates whereas; other bath salts may contain synthetic ingredients. Unlike Epsom salt, Bath salts are nothing but concentrated mixtures of toxic chemicals. Therefore, taking a bath in Bath salts composed of chemicals is really harmful to the skin and may even cause skin irritations and allergies.

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