Taking a bath is not only relaxing and cleansing, but it also can pack a ton of different health benefits into one simple practice.
By adding Epsom salt to your regular bath ritual, you can soothe dry skin and ease muscle pain and tension.
Named from the wellspring in which it was discovered in Surrey, England in the early 1600s, Epsom salt, which is made of magnesium sulfate, can be a mild form of magnesium therapy. Conventional and integrative doctors both agree that magnesium can be an important tool for improving health and treating common aches and pains.
Some of the benefits you can look forward to include pain relief, improved sleep, soothing sore muscles and dry skin, boosting your mood, easing the symptoms of fibromyalgia and even relieving tired, swollen feet.
Follow the directions on your brand, or just add 2 cups per one full standard bathtub. Be sure to pour the salt under warm running water to dissolve quickly. Then relax and soak for up to an hour.
For an added touch, try adding lavender for relaxation, essential oils, baking soda, apple cider vinegar or even arnica for more benefits. Be creative and go for bubbles. But be careful, it can get slippery.
As far back as the 1900s, Epsom salt has been referred to as an “old medicinal friend.” Even Gwyneth Paltrow has extolled the benefits of soaking in a bath of Epsom salt on her well-known website Goop.
At the very least, you will have a long luxurious soak in a warm bath, and by adding a bit extra you may reap even more added health benefits.