Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are composed of magnesium, oxygen and sulphur and occur naturally as the mineral magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salts.
It can be used both internally and externally to help with a wide variety of health complaints and disease states. Adding the salts to a full bath is a common way of taking the salts, some people bathe daily for stubborn conditions whilst others find 2-4 baths weekly is enough to notice a difference. Caution is advised when taking internally as excessive magnesium in the body can be fatal and long term use of it internally is generally not advised. Internally, they absorb water from the bowels and cause a watery loose diarrhoea but can also lead to imbalances of other important minerals within the body. Use of Epsom salts in a bath or in any form externally is generally well accepted by the body and rarely causes side effects or problems.
If you have a serious health condition, are pregnant, on a specialised diet or taking medications, consult your doctor and ask if Epsom salts are suitable for you to take.
One of the more traditional methods of using the salts are to add them to bath as a remedy for painful and inflammatory conditions such as sciatica, especially inflammation of the joints such as in rheumatism and arthritis. The release of its magnesium ions act as a pain reliever and its sulphur content contributes to promoting joint health. The usual dose for a bath soak is 2 cups of epsom salts per full bath, soaking in it for at least 10 minutes and finish with a shower to rinse the skin.
Externally it is also useful to help heal and prevent dry and cracking skin or an an exfoliating scrub. Mix a small amount of salts with some oil and apply to the skin as an ointment like paste. Leave for a few minutes then rinse off with clean water.
It is also useful for bacterial, viral and fungal infections of the skin and nails as well as warts, acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin blemishes, rashes and bruises.
It can reduce the severity of an asthma attack when used in a nebulizer.
It can be used to help extract splinters and insect stings and to draw boils and carbuncles to a head. Apply the salts diluted in water to help draw out the splinter/sting/boil as the surrounding skin is tightened.
It can soothe the pain and damage from sunburn when used as a soak or poultice.
Some people use Epsom salts internally as a laxative (not recommended) or as a concentrated source of magnesium. A few granules in water daily is the suggested dose by users.
They can also help to correct deficiencies of magnesium in the nervous system that show up as conditions such as depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, general listlessness and even seizures and epilepsy. 2 cupfuls to a full bath, soak for 15 minutes and rinse the skin with a shower to clean it off.
Always try to but the best quality Epsom salts product that money or circumstances will allow. It pays to do your research!
