Are you looking for something amazing to gift yourself but not able to figure out that one thing that you really want? Well, we are here for your rescue because we know exactly what you should be getting.
Surprised! Out of all the worldly possessions, the best thing to gift yourself is a warm, exotic and scintillating Epsom salt detox(1)! Sounds strange? But, it isn’t.
Epsom salt detox is a warm tub with Epsom salt to detox your body. It seems very much akin to table salt, but it differs in its contents as it includes magnesium and sulfate which helps in releasing toxic substances from the body.
A survey reveals that Epsom salt has been getting extensively utilized for over 300 years as an effective agent for detoxification. Dive into the article to know more about this antitoxin agent and its benefits.
Benefits
Scientific research suggests the following benefits of Epsom salt detox:
1. Skin pacifier
Epsom salt detox helps in cleansing and exfoliating the dead skin cells. It soothes the skin and provides it with the required nourishment. It may also help to resolve certain skin problems like eczema or psoriasis. An Epsom bath on periodic intervals can cause your skin healthy and hydrated.
Only in certain instances, it may also aggravate the symptoms. For instance, if you have hypersensitive skin or any other skin related issue, it is advisable to ask your medical consultant before you take an Epsom salt bath.
2. Removes soreness
An Epsom salt detox may help to eliminate skin soreness and inflammatory problems like itching, swelling, etc. It also helps to offer relief against problems like psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout, etc. It also aids to heal body dryness, rough skin, itching and keeps your skin soft and hydrated. Nevertheless, there are no grounds to demonstrate its efficiency in this esteem.
Also, if you have any injury, cut or damage on your skin, avoid bathing into epsom saltwater as it might deteriorate your skin condition.
[Also Read: How to Use Epsom Salt for Sore Muscles?]
3. Pain Relieving
The magnesium content in Epsom salt helps to release body pain and pain caused to people due to arthritis. It facilitates the process to get rid of all the harmful toxins from the body that causes stiffness, pain, inflammation, etc. and assists in muscle relaxation.
[Also Read: Benefits of Epsom Salt for your Feet]
4. Stress Buster
Epsom salt bath helps to foster brain cells that are responsible for engendering sleep and reducing stress. Magnesium as well helps to escalate melatonin, a hormone responsible for instigating sleep.
Hence, it too acts as a stress buster for its users. Studies also unveil that low levels of magnesium present in the Epsom bath helps in curating people with mental and physical distress.
5. Fosters foot health
Epsom salt bath also helps an athletic person to keep their foot healthy and active. People can soak up the contents of Epsom salt to soothe their feet and let go of itching or irritation. It helps to taper foot odor effectively.
[Also Read: Effects of Epsom Salt for Athlete’s Foot]
6. Remove splinters
It might be challenging to remove splinters without inserting them further in the skin in general, but Epsom salt bath helps you to draw them out without any such tiff. Soaking in Epsom salt water helps to cure any inflammatory issues affected area, soften the split and ease out its removal.
7. Prevent magnesium deficiency
There are about 325 enzymes in our body that require magnesium for proper functioning. It helps to stimulate nerve and muscle function. In fact, a lack of magnesium can cause symptoms related to that of depression.
8. Aid to cancer patients
Epsom salt bath may also help to heal a cancer patient’s health and well being. It causes a lack of magnesium(2) as well as helps to release depression, sickening mental health, irritability, and stress. All these factors collectively contribute to boosting the motivation level of a cancer patient to fight against the disease.
9. Regulates blood sugar levels
A suitable level of magnesium in the Epsom salt helps to reduce the risk of diabetes. The abundant presence of magnesium and sulfate enhances your body’s ability and create and consume insulin. In this way, it helps to minimize the risk of getting type 2 diabetes and regulate your blood sugar levels.
Is Drinking Epsom Salt Water Helpful?
Oral consumption of Epsom salt water acts as a laxative and helps to cure constipation. You can also add lemon to improve the taste. Other than that there is no rigid benefit of ingesting Epsom salt.
Although, drinking Epsom saltwater in minimal quantity is safe, but there is no reliable evidence to back up its effectiveness.
If you are thinking to drink or eat Epsom salt, you need to consult your doctor well in advance to avoid any predicament.
Risks and Side Effects of Epsom Salt Detox
Although there is no danger associated with this detox method, if you have any concern, you should always consult your doctor before taking an Epsom salt detox.
If your kidneys are functioning correctly, it might not cause any serious problem. But, if your kidneys are not performing at their optimum level, then you should avoid taking supplements like this that contain magnesium orally as you might not be able to get excess magnesium out of your body.
Side effects are usually from an overdose of magnesium, which are-
1. Diarrhea
The abundant presence of magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt might have a laxative effect. Ingesting too much of Epsom salt may cause diarrhea, bloating, stomachache, etc.
You are suggested to drink plenty of water to avoid the laxative effect and keep your body hydrated.
2. Blurred vision
An overdose of magnesium also leads to nausea, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, pale skin, etc.
3. Breathing problems
Magnesium sulfate is harmful to the lungs and respiratory system. It may also detriment the central nervous system causing mental illness, depression, etc.
4. Swelling
Too much of Epsom salt detox may also lead to swelling of lips, face, mouth or tongue. Do not relax in the Epsom salt tub for too long to avoid this situation.
5. Reduced heartbeat
Epsom salt water bath also tends to affect your pulse and cause some severe heart complications. If you are a heart patient, it is strictly advisable to ask your medical consultant before taking a warm Epsom salt bath.
6. Muscle weakness
These are rare in people having their kidneys functioning correctly, but if symptoms continue, consulting a doctor would be a smart decision.
7. Ineffective in weight losing
There isn’t much evidence to show its effectiveness on the body, but we still see people reporting results. So, consult a doctor if you have any concerns. Its benefits are more external than they are internal.
It might help you relax and give you softer skin, but using it for weight loss isn’t the best decision. But anyway, it’s a great way to reduce stress and relax after a tiring day.
There is no specific effectiveness in weight loss. It might help you burn 126 calories in an hour which is equal to a 30-minute walk. Or weight loss may be due to excessive sweating or loss of water weight. But there’s no healthy way to use Epsom salt for weight loss.
How to Prepare Epsom Salt Detox Water?
Follow the guidelines given below to prepare an efficient Epsom salt detox water:
- Mix 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-sized bathtub with warm water
- The water mixture should feel soapy
- Soak in for about 15 minutes
- Optional: essential oils like lavender and tea tree
How to Use It?
You are required to follow the steps given below to prep for ingesting Epsom salt:
Procedure
Step 1
You must eat a fat-free breakfast and lunch on the day you decide to intake Epsom salt for detoxification. For instance, you may eat raw vegetables, cooked cereals, oatmeal, etc.
Step 2
Blend 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 3 cups of water. Put it in your refrigerator for some time along with 1 cup of olive oil and a large pink grapefruit for tepid effect.
Step 3
It is advisable to drink the Epsom salt water at 6 p.m initially and then at 8 p.m. for the final round. You can also add vitamin C powder for flavor.
Step 4
Then pour half a cup of olive oil and squashed pink grapefruit in a jar. Blend this mixture nicely and gulp it down at around 10 p.m.
Step 5
You can drink a ¾ cup of Epsom salt water post waking up at first, and then go off to sleep. Ingest a final ¾ cup of Epsom salt blend after two hours. Then wait for two hours to eat anything. Start with some fresh fruit juice before eating anything else followed by a fruit after half an hour.
Eat whey powder at some point of time during the day to replenish lost bile salts. You can have your routine dinner. You may feel giddy or suffer from diarrhea due to Epsom salt’s laxative effect.
Bottom Line
Most importantly, before ingesting Epsom salt for detoxification, ask your doctor about its impact on your health and take your decision accordingly. In case of any health issue, do not intake the mixture without any prior medication. Ultimately, there’s no strong evidence for it to get proved as a healthy option for weight loss. But, regardless, it indeed helps in relieving stress by balancing the levels of magnesium. It helps in reducing inflammation by drawing out the toxins . It may help in treating athlete’s foot by drawing out the infection responsible for it and thus, speeding the process. It can also be taken orally if you’re suffering from constipation. Just be sure to dissolve it correctly in the water.
Nonetheless, it is not smart to act on something uncertain without having enough knowledge of it. And, if you have any doubt about your kidneys health, then please avoid it and consult your doctor before taking any steps.
FAQs
1. Do you have to rinse off after an Epsom salt bath?
Yes, it is strongly recommended that you rinse the residue of Epsom salt with cold water preferably. Also, it is recommended that you don’t apply any salt if you have broken or wounded skin.
2. What happens if you soak in Epsom salt too long?
There are side-effects if you lay in the bath for more than the prescribed time, it could cause an allergic reaction such as swelling, breathing difficulty, chest tightness. There are chances of having muscle paralysis or muscle weakness as well.
