Benefits of Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a popular remedy for many ailments. People use it to ease health problems, such as muscle soreness and stress. It's also affordable, easy to use, and harmless when used appropriately.

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 termed "salt" because of its chemical structure.

How Does It Work?

When Epsom salt is dissolved in water, it releases magnesium and sulfate ions. The idea is that these particles can be absorbed through your skin, providing you with magnesium and sulfates — which serve important bodily functions.

Here is a short list of just some of the benefits of Epsom Salt:

Reduces Stress — When stressed, adrenaline increase and magnesium decreases. As you replenish your body of magnesium it can help decrease the amount of adrenaline rushing through your body, allowing you to relax more quickly.

Relieves Muscle Pain — According to Dr. Mao Shing Ni from Yo San University, magnesium improves blood circulation (Health Uses of Epsom Salt). By getting more blood + oxygen to your muscles, muscle cramps + spasm will decrease, and your muscles will heal faster. This is often why many athletes soak strained muscles in Epsom Salt baths.

Softens Hair + Skin — Magnesium plays a critical role in keep hair strands strong and healthy and is also very hydrating. With a deficiency hair and skin may become dry, brittle and weak. So, by increasing magnesium intake hair will becomes stronger and skin will become softer.

Flushes Toxins From Body — Magnesium promotes the production of ATP, which acts as energy for cells. When cells have enough ATP, they have energy to clean out + detoxify cells and the body from mineral build up.

Without it, cells hold onto mineral deposits like calcium.