Epsom salts aren’t really a salt – its actually a pure mineral compound (magnesium and sulfate).
Because of an abundance of magnesium is required for our cells to work properly it’s also one of the first minerals to become depleted when we experience high amounts of stress – which is why its one of the first things I recommend reaching for when you start to feel run down.
Can you just use table salt?
Nope, table salts don’t contain magnesium, which is good because it would taste really yucky on popcorn.
A little history and background on this wonderful mineral:
According to the Royal Society of Chemistry: the summer of 1618 saw England gripped by drought, but as Henry Wicker, a local cowherd, walked across Epsom Common he came across a pool of water from which his thirsty cattle refused to drink. The water tasted bitter and on evaporation yielded a salt which had a remarkable effect: it was a laxative. This became the famous Epsom’s salts (magnesium sulfate, MgSO4). Wicker also noted that the cows who walked through the waters and had wounds on their legs also seemed to heal more quickly… word spread of its numerous benefits and soon enough visitors were traveling to Epsom that it became known as a spa town.
Eventually those springs became very limited – but it was soon discovered that Epsom Salt is found abundantly in limestone caves and mines in many places around the world which makes it accessible an inexpensive. There are literally dozens and dozens of things that Epsom Salts are good for from improving soil health in your vegetable garden to cleaning the shower, but most importantly it is a really effective way to restore magnesium to the body.
Since more than 68% of adults are deficient of this incredibly important mineral (which is essential for over 300 chemical reactions in your body) – it makes a ton of sense for it to be a first line of defense to build immunity (one more reason to take a weekly bath!) but also a first line of defense when you start to feel run down.
At our home, one of the first things we do when someone begins to feel the early signs of sickness is to get them straight into an Epsom Salt Bath. Generally 2 heaping cups added to a warm bath is enough to help. The benefits of slowing down long enough to take a bath that’s full of minerals that are readily absorbed by the skin also reduces muscle aches, headaches and assists in detoxification = all of these improve sleep, improve bowel movements and release tension. (happy dance!)
If you want to add a *drop* of an essential oil (either lavender or citrus for relaxation, or eucalyptus to open up congested airways) make sure you blend it into the salt before you add the salts to the bath. (remember, oil and water don’t mix!)
Staying in the comfortably warm (not super hot) water for at least 12 -30 minutes is where we see therapeutic benefits – keep a glass of water or herbal tea close by if you get thirsty and RELAX!
No time for a bath or maybe you don’t have access to a tub?
Not to worry – soaking your feet in a bucket of warm water (again 12-30 minutes) with an added cup or two of epsom salts will give you lots of the same benefits (plus its great for cracked heels!). Or make a thick paste of epsom salts and a carrier oil of your choice – 1/2 cups epsom salt to 1/4c oil, (I love avocado, apricot seed and olive oils) and use it as an exfoliating body scrub in the shower.
Once you start getting to know this common little mineral, the more you’ll find uses for it! Its worth stocking up on.
