Epsom salt is a magnesium sulfate compound, unlike sodium table salt. Epsom salt has been used for hundreds of years as a healing agent and pain reliever.
Today, it’s most often added to hot baths and foot soaks to reduce stress and ease achy muscles. A lot of the elderly population are home-bound and home visits that provide elderly care services such as Epsom salt foot soaks, are essential to their overall health.
Epsom salts are made up of components that can be found in your body. When you place Epsom salts into your bath, the elements absorb into your skin through osmosis and reduce stress and strain on your muscles.
Magnesium can be found in things like green leafy vegetables and certain kinds of seafood. But magnesium sulfate is a component of Epsom salt and can also be absorbed directly through your skin when it is soaked in an Epsom salt soak. Sulfur is another common chemical element found in the body, and it can be absorbed through Epsom salt as well.
What are the benefits of soaking in Epsom salt?
- Soothes the skin; softens rough, dry skin, and exfoliates dead skin cells
- Reduces soreness and pain
- Reduces stress
- Promotes better foot health
- Draws out splinters
- Heals some wounds
Magnesium sulfate also has a laxative effect because it increases the amount of water in your intestine. It also stimulates the colon’s muscle cells, which encourages bowel movement (Dunkley, 2011).
Epsom salt is usually used in association with other complementary treatments to relieve symptoms. For example, it can be mixed with water and used as a foot bath to reduce symptoms associated with gout because it is an anti-inflammatory (Lundgren et al., 2006).
The presence of magnesium sulfate in the body can increase the risk of adverse reactions, such as dehydration or low blood pressure. Therefore, people with kidney disease should avoid using Epsom salt as a dietary supplement and should not use it as a bath soak, even though the salt is generally considered safe (Lundgren et al., 2006).
Bath salts are sometimes called “soaking salts” because they are dissolved in water before being added to the bath. Many people find that soaking in Epsom salts helps to relieve a variety of stress and pain issues. Some assume that the minerals in Epsom salt, namely magnesium and sulfate, are absorbed through the skin to aid in this process.
There are many benefits in using Epsom salt, the most prominent of which is its physical and chemical properties.
One of the significant benefits of using Epsom salt is that it dissolves easily in water without affecting the pH balance or mineral contents of water. In addition, the resulting solution is dissociated into anions (negative ions) and cations (positive ions), both of which are incredibly beneficial to the body.
Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfate ions which can help relax stressed muscles and is also responsible for improving blood flow to the muscles. In addition, magnesium helps physiologically by activating vitamin D, a vital hormone responsible for bone and muscle growth and development. Apart from this, it also calms nerves and reduces depression.
Epsom salt is one of the most cost-effective means for treating various health problems because it is cheap and readily available. Furthermore, the effects can be felt after a single-use, unlike many other physiologically conservative methods such as physiotherapy or medication, which may take days to improve the patient’s condition. In addition, it helps in soothing pain without the use of drugs.
Epsom salt is also used as an additive in bath water to help cure certain skin diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis by easing itching. It can also be used on eyelids to reduce puffiness around the eyes.
Even though using Epsom salt requires more time than other methods used to treat certain conditions, it is considered beneficial because the salts are absorbed slowly into the skin, allowing them to reach deeper layers of tissue.
Aside from its medical uses, Epsom salt is also used in cooking for various purposes. For example, it can be mixed with fruit juice or other drinks and added to cakes and cookies to make them moist. It is also used as a thickening agent in salad dressings and soups.
The salts can also be dissolved in water and sprayed on plants to kill specific insects which might attack the plant, such as aphids and spider mites.
How does Epsom salt remove a tree stump?
Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfur, which are beneficial to plants but deadly in large quantities. Overdosing the stump with Epsom salt pulls the moisture out of it, killing it and accelerating the decaying process.
Soaking Method
- Mix Epsom salts and water to a ratio of one part Epsom salts/two parts water
- Drench the stump and any exposed roots with the mixture.
- Cover the stump with a tarp, and repeat soaking every week until the stump appears visibly dried out
If tree stumps are near a home or property, they should be removed by removing all the roots and putting a layer of soil over the entire stump to ensure that nothing can get under the wood. This will prevent moisture from being extracted from the ground by decay or insects, which could lead to damage near your home’s foundation. However, always consult a professional.
Why Epsom salt is bad?
According to the renowned Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Epsom salt is bad for people with severe skin inflammation or infection. No one with an open wound or a severe burn should use Epsom salt. They suggest if you have an open wound, consult your dermatologist before use. Furthermore, they recommend purchasing Epsom salt from a reputable source. Healthy supermarkets (e.g., Whole Foods Market or Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market) typically offer the best quality Epsom salt. Be sure to buy 100 percent magnesium sulfate. Beware of online retailers who may offer exceptional deals but cannot guarantee quality or purity.
While Epsom salt is generally safe, a few adverse effects can occur if you use it incorrectly. For example, consuming it may result in diarrhea, bloating, or upset stomach.
People have been bathing with Epsom salts for hundreds of years, but there is inconclusive scientific evidence as to whether or not it provides any health benefits. Always consult a physician or trusted health care provider.
This article is for information only and should not replace advice from your doctor or arborist.