Why an Epsom Salt Bath?

Epsom Salt Bath

Does an Epsom Salt bath really do everything from relieving stress to curing disease? You will read on the internet that it does. You will also read that magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salt) is not a salt, but a great cheap ingredient to use when making bath salts. The information you read is only partially true.


First, the shameful truth about magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salt) is that there is very little scientific evidence to date that indicates an Epsom Salt bath has beneficial properties from a medical perspective. Second, magnesium sulfate is a salt. It’s a metal salt formed when you add sulfuric acid to magnesium (a metal). (You really needed to know that, right?)

When I say scientific, I’m referring to peer reviewed double blind studies. That said, there was one study conducted by Dr RH Waring, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham showing that blood levels of magnesium and sulfate increased for most test subjects when the skin was exposed to magnesium sulfate. Though this study to date hasn’t been published in a scientific journal, it’s significant. If you’re interested in the results, you can check it out for yourself at:
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/Report_on_Absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf

When you make bath salts, the main benefit of an Epsom salt bath besides its soothing effect, appears to be the increased magnesium and sulfate in your body. How much your blood level of magnesium and sulfate increases depends on the concentration of Epsom Salt, temperature of your bath water, your body and the frequency of your baths. There are just too many variables to determine just how much magnesium and sulfate you will absorb when you take an Epsom Salt bath.

When you take a nice warm Epsom Salt bath the benefits can include:

  • Increased blood levels of magnesium and sulfate – The benefits of having sufficient magnesium in your system are too numerous for this article. Coming soon you will see articles relating to these vital elements in our health section.
  • Relaxed muscles
  • Soothed sore feet
  • Soothes the whole body

A Really Super Simple Epsom Salt Bath Recipe

1.   Add 1 – 2 cups Epsom Salt to warm bath water

2.   Soak for 20 minutes

3.   Rinse well<

Now go have fun and relax.

Related articles:

Homemade Bath Salts – What you need to know

Enjoy a Perfect Bath

Colloidal Oatmeal – A Really Really Simple Bath for Dry Itchy Skin

Homemade Bath Salts – Lavender

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