Soak Away Your Day With A Hot Epsom Salt Bath

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Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash

What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt, known as magnesium sulfate, is a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.  This is a completely different structure than table salt. 
Magnesium is a natural substance that assists the body in a number of ways.  Magnesium is used for its properties in being a natural muscle relaxer when taken as a supplement, oftentimes as a powdered drink.  The easiest way for the body to absorb magnesium is through the skin when taking a hot bath.

What are the benefits of bathing with Epsom Salt?
Salt by nature has many cleansing properties and can neutralize energies so when you bath in salts you are reaping the benefits on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.

Other benefits include:

Soothes the skin
Epsom salt can soften rough and dry skin which is great for the winter time.  It may also soothe skin affected by conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.  If you have any concerns about a skin condition you may be experiencing, check with you Doctor before soaking with Epsom Salts.

Reduce Inflammation and Pain
Epsom salt baths may reduce inflammation and reduce pain in people living with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, arthritis, lupus, gout and autoimmune conditions.

Reduce Stress
Having the appropriate amount of magnesium levels can boost your neurotransmitters assisting with sleep and reducing stress.  Taking a warm bath can also help a person relax after a long day and assist with quieting the brain before sleep.

Detoxing and Healing from the Common Cold
As your body aborbs the nutrients found in epsom salts, the body is also assisted in detoxing and drawing out pathogens and toxins that are on the surface level before getting deeper into your system.  Eucalyptus would be the perfect addition to this bath.

How to take a epsom salt bath:
I personally love epsom salt baths and take them frequently.  Don't be afraid to start adding them in multiple times a week!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups epsom salts (you can add more if feeling like it!)
• 3-5 drops of essential oil.  My favorites are eucalyptus in the winter months and the Balance blend by DoTerra.  Rosemary is another good one for balancing.  Feel free to add your favorites!

• 1 cup baking soda (optional) for extra skin softening and when using to aid in sleep.

Directions:
1.  Clear any clutter around and in your tub.  Light a candle or otherwise lower the lights in the room.  Grab your favorite book and/or some music.
2.  Mix the ingredients into your tub as the tub is filling with the warmest water that is comfortable.
3.  Rest in the tub soaking down to the tops of your shoulders or deeper for 20-30 minutes.  Using a deep water bath over flow cover is helpful for this step!

​Extra tips:  
1.  If you are working through a bad headache or migraine, soak down to your shoulders and place a cold towel or ice pack at the base of your skull/back of your neck.
2.  Don't have access to a bathtub, or don't like baths?  Create a foot soak using the ingredients above in the same way!

Share with me your favorite epsom salt bath combo in the comments!