Epson Salt Baths

Like my previous post on this blog, this is an extra, bonus post I've wanted to share.

Epson salt baths. Many people, like myself, love to soak in a warm bath of Epson salts. That is something I enjoy before bed, especially on cold, winter nights, but I enjoy them anytime during the year as well. 

For many years, I never took baths. Showers were my thing. But in more recent years, I discovered that baths are not just for young children; baths are something that adults can enjoy too. For that very reason, fancy resorts and hotels usually have large, hot tubs for guests to enjoy in the privacy of their room. 

The bathroom I share at home has no fancy tub in it. Our tub is as basic as they come, but it does its job, and that is all that matters to me. I enjoy it, and I am thankful for it! I find that, with a cup of Epson salts added to my warm bath water, I tend to sleep better that night. A warm, Epson salt bath helps me to relax, especially if I have had a long, stressful day. Epson salt baths can also help tremendously with sore muscles or any other pain in the body. Sometimes, I enjoy adding some drops of an essential oil (usually lavender) to my bath. 

Beyond being relaxing, did you know that Epson salts also have some health benefits? 

The links below share some of those benefits. 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/epsom-salt-benefits-uses

https://paramount-health.com.au/9-benefits-of-having-an-epsom-salt-or-magnesium-bath

Many Americans (about half!) tend to be deficient in magnesium, a mineral that isn't always found in multi-vitamins. Magnesium is something that the human body needs to function well. Magnesium is a very important mineral, necessary for good health. 

Ideally, it is best to get the nutrients we need from the food we eat, rather than taking a supplement. But, if you are not getting enough of something in your food, sometimes a good supplement can be helpful. 

Magnesium can be very calming, hence the name of a popular magnesium supplement called "CALM" that comes in powder form to mix into water. This supplement is made in many different, delicious, fruit flavors; their orange is my favorite! This supplement can be purchased online through Amazon. (https://a.co/d/bLdGAE9) 

There are different kinds of magnesium supplements. If you decide to purchase one like I shared above, be sure to follow the directions for how much to take. Taking too much magnesium can cause loose stools or “the runs”. (aka: diarrhea!) 

I've heard that severe morning sickness in pregnant women can be an indication of a magnesium deficiency!    

While the cause of morning sickness is often a change in a woman’s hormones, having a magnesium deficiency can make it worse. 

Epson salts are also known as magnesium sulfate, an excellent source of magnesium! While it is important to eat food that has magnesium in it (like bananas, dark chocolate, etc.) another way to get some magnesium is by soaking in an Epson salt bath! How fun is that? 

Epson salts can be purchased in almost any grocery store, including stores like Walmart and Dollar Tree that sell them for a good price. Many outdoor shopping centers also sell Epson salts because they make such great gifts! There are many different kinds of "scented" Epson salts for sale these days. I highly recommend purchasing just regular Epson salts without anything added to them. Quite often, scents that are added to Epson salts are some kind of toxic perfume. If you like scents, add your own scent with some drops of pure essential oil to your warm, Epson salt bath. 

As shared before on this blog, your skin is the largest organ of your body, and it will absorb some of what you put on it or soak in. (certain medical creams and patches are put on the skin and worn for this very reason) 

If you decide to gift someone this holiday season with some chocolate (especially dark chocolate!) and a bag of Epson salts for taking baths this winter, you will also be benefiting their health.   

Who knew taking a bath could be so much fun? 

Epson salt baths. I recommend them, not only for relaxation, but also, for health benefits. 

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, and I have no medical training. The things I share on this blog are simple, practical things that I've learned help with good health.