The First thing you need to know about Epsom salt is that it is made up of the chemical compound magnesium-sulfate.
- Magnesium is already part of our body’s natural chemical makeup and is required by the body to regulate more than 325 enzymes (proteins that help break down food to give us energy)
*Magnesium deficiency has been associated with health issues like high blood pressure, osteoporosis and migraines and the list goes on (seriously, google it)
- Sulfate helps in the formation of brain tissue, aids in your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and helps to detoxify your body of any harmful or unwanted substances that might be lurking under the surface.
- Eases Stress
Stress essentially decreases your magnesium and increases your adrenaline, putting your body into “Fight-or-flight” mode. Constant stress can cause real physical and psychological damage – so hop in the tub and relax!
- Soothe muscle cramps, aches & pains
The magnesium content in the Epsom salt acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling, in turn promoting muscle relaxation and healing – which is what makes and Epsom soak such a good idea after a hard workout or if you’re just a little extra achy some days. This will also be beneficial for you if you deal with arthritis pain or suffer from frequent headaches.
- Improve Digestion
With the sulfate content aiding in the elimination of harmful toxins and waste products from the body, it’s actually having the same great effect on your digestive system! If you’re experiencing any constipation, Epsom salt works great as a stool softener. Just dissolve 1-2 tsps. of Epsom salt in 1 cup of warm water and drink on an empty stomach (consult with your doctor or health care professional before trying this if you already have digestive issues and do not take for longer than 1 week). Out with the bad and more room to absorb the good! Soaking in an Epsom bath will also reduce water retention, bloating and boosts your metabolism aiding in weight loss. If you have pesky cellulite (we all do) soaking in a bath may help with that and prevent you from getting more!
- Healthier Heart!
The magnesium helps maintain a normal heart rhythm and healthy arteries. When you have healthy arteries there is much less risk of things like blood clots, plaque build-up and damage to the arterial walls. The improved blood circulation an Epsom soak provides is also going to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Soothe a sun burn
All the lovely anti-inflammatory properties help to alleviate skin irritations such as sun-burns, even itchiness or pain cause by bug bites or allergic reactions.
- For tips 1-5 just fill your tub with warm/hot water, add 2 cups of Epsom salts and a few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional), lavender is a personal favorite + lots of bubbles for an extra luxurious feel to your soak, and enjoy!
- Give your hair a boost!
By removing excess oil and product build-up from your scalp, the use of a simple Epsom salt hair treatment is going to add volume to your hair and promote a healthy scalp. Stimulating the hair follicle with this treatment can actually prevent things like hair loss/thinning and the minerals in the salt will help to strengthen and repair damaged hair.
Try it out!
Combine ½ cup of your favorite conditioner and ½ a cup of Epsom salt together, mix well and apply root to tip to damp-wet hair. Massage into scalp as you are applying this treatment then let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cold water (I know it sounds unbearable but cold water helps with blood circulation and to close the hair follicle, reducing the look of frizz) Repeat this once a week or as needed!
You can also create a “Sea” Salt texturizing spray by combining 1 cup hot water, 2 tbsp. Epsom salt, 1 tsp hair gel, and ½ tsp conditioner in a spray bottle. Spray mixture into towel dried hair and scrunch for soft beachy waves.
- Exfoliate
Scrub your way to softer, healthier skin! You can use straight Epsom salt and massage into wet skin, this can be a bit abrasive for some people with more sensitive skin. To soften up the scrub a bit, mix with coconut oil and an essential oil, store in a jar and use as needed! Doing a scrub is going to get rid of dull/dead skin cells that are laying on the surface to reveal bright, soft skin, this will draw out any toxins or dirt that might be clogging pores, causing acne or other skin infection. Getting rid of dead skin is also going to help with any scarring or discoloration on the skin and scrubbing will stimulate the skin to get rid of cellulite.
Naturally remove blackheads by mixing 1 tsp of Epsom salt, 3 drops iodine and half a cup of boiling water, dab solution onto blackheads with a cotton ball and voila! Goodbye blackheads.
Hopefully these tips and tricks help you relax and rejuvenate! Thanks so much for reading!