According to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements , magnesium plays an important role in many of the body's processes, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, as well as making protein, bone, and DNA. So we know that Epsom salt contains magnesium, and that magnesium is a mineral in which many people are deficient. What's still not entirely clear is how effective Epsom salt is at providing magnesium to the body.
Despite the lack of data from clinical trials, however, many doctors and healthcare professionals continue to recommend different uses for Epsom salt to their patients, implying that there's probably some truth to its anecdotal claims. Here's What the Research Says. One of the most common uses of Epsom salt is adding it to a warm bath to help soothe muscle pain, soreness or discomfort.
As the fitness director and a wellness coach at Hilton Head Health, David Chesworth recommends Epsom salt baths to some of his clients as a way to help their body recover following a workout. In an Epsom salt bath, the magnesium ions are released in the water, which may help the body use up glucose and lactic acid, and may provide some relief from soreness, inflammation, and muscle cramps. While there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that an Epsom salt bath can help you feel better after a workout, the research is still fairly sparse.
For example, a study on the relationship between magnesium and physical activity did find that strenuous exercise the kind that results in additional urinary and sweat losses may increase a person's magnesium requirements by 10 to 20 percent.
However, a study did not find any evidence that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin—including via a bath. That said, taking a warm bath itself can help soothe achy muscles and joints, per the Cleveland Clinic , and adding Epsom salt to your bath isn't going to cause you any harm. If you find that a post-workout Epsom salt bath speeds up your recovery, there's no reason to stop i.
If you've never taken one before and aren't sure where to start, Chesworth recommends dissolving two-thirds of a cup of Epsom salt in a bathtub filled with warm water, or one-quarter of a cup of it in a foot bath. Again, at this point there's no research-based evidence that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin, but because of results they've seen in their own practice, doctors routinely prescribe it to deal with a wide range of foot-related health issues.
Pinker explains. The Epsom salt foot baths can also help reduce the pain and itching from Athlete's foot, although he says that topical antifungals are usually necessary, as well.
Finally, Dr. Epsom salt is an ingredient used in a soak to treat minor aches and pains. As a medication administered intravenously, it can stave off premature birth and alleviate seizures caused by several conditions, including magnesium deficiency, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. Epsom salts dissolve in water. Enthusiasts believe this allows magnesium and sulfates to be readily absorbed into skin. Whether this is sufficient for various treatments or not, Epsom salt is considered safe.
This is because hot water can temporarily lower blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic recommends adults use 2 cups of Epsom salt per gallon of warm water. More than that can make the water feel slippery.
It may also be drying to your skin. Soak for at least 15 minutes. This might worsen instead of reduce swelling. Shop for Epsom salts for your bath. Many Epsom salt advocates believe the amount of magnesium able to enter the body through the skin is sufficient for reducing swelling and relieving aches.
A review of studies indicates that larger and more methodical studies on topical application of Epsom salt need to be done. One study found that magnesium salts can be effective for dry skin and for reducing inflammation. As a folk remedy, Epsom salt is used on a widespread basis to provide relief for a variety of conditions. These include:. Doctors also administer it intravenously. Always check with your doctor before using Epsom salt by mouth.
Follow the package instructions exactly. Too much magnesium can cause an irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure. During a drought in , a local cow herder named Henry Wicker bent down to drink from a pool of water in Epsom Common. He found the water acidic and bitter. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. While no clinical trials have confirmed the benefits of Epsom salt, many healthcare providers promote it for its ease of use, reasonable price and minimally invasive delivery. To learn more, we turn to integrative medicine specialist Naoki Umeda, MD.
Epsom salt is one of many naturally occurring mineral salts, a compound of magnesium and sulfate. The salt was discovered in the town about years ago. Tales about the healing power of Epsom salt have been circulating for centuries, says Dr. Users typically dissolve Epsom salt in bath water to release magnesium and sulfate ions and reap the benefits.
Epsom salt is believed to help stabilize mood and relieve stress, anxiety and depression. In fact, some researchers claim that taking magnesium increases serotonin happiness or relaxation hormone production in the brain. Epsom salt is used to relax muscles and relieve pain in the shoulders, neck, back and skull.
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