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Is Epsom salt good for constipation?
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Feb 10, 2023 · Epsom salts have been used to treat an array of health issues ranging from sore muscles to constipation. Learn more about this natural remedy.
- Overview
- All the ways to Epsom salt
- How to make an Epsom salt bath
- Epsom salt bath side effects
- Why Epsom salt?
- More about Epsom salt
- The takeaway
An Epsom salt bath may help soothe your muscles and help you relax, though these benefits have not been scientifically proven.
Epsom salt is an ingredient used in a soak to treat minor aches and pains. It’s thought to soothe tired muscles and reduce swelling.
As a medication administered intravenously, it can stave off premature birth and alleviate seizures caused by several conditions, including magnesium deficiency, preeclampsia, and eclampsia.
The most popular use for Epsom salt is in baths.
While there isn’t strong, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, many people say they feel relief for multiple symptoms by soaking in an Epsom salt bath.
How to do it
There really is no downside to taking a warm bath, although it’s important to check with your doctor first if you have low blood pressure. 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. Lower concentrations you can try are: •300 grams (1.5 cups) of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water •1 cup of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water •2 cups of Epsom salt added to your bathtub of water Soak for at least 15 minutes. If you’re soaking in an Epsom salt bath for aches and pains, make sure not to use water that’s too hot. This might worsen instead of reduce swelling. Other ways to use Epsom salt in a soak: •Create a detox bath. •Create a detox footbath. •Mix a foot soak for general use. •Use Epsom salt water in a compress for direct application to sore muscles. 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. It’s also thought that Epsom salts are effective for soothing skin and reducing irritation and itching.
When used as a soak, Epsom salt is generally considered safe.
If you’ve never had an Epsom salt bath, consider testing a patch of skin with magnesium sulfate and water first.
Avoid submerging broken skin in an Epsom salt bath.
Stop use if you experience:
•itchy skin
•allergic reactions, like hives or rash
A 2017 review of studies indicates that larger and more methodical studies on topical application of Epsom salt need to be done. One 2005 study found that magnesium salts can be effective for dry skin and for reducing inflammation. However, the study doesn’t include the number of study participants analyzed.
As a folk remedy, Epsom salt is used on a widespread basis to provide relief for a variety of conditions. These include:
•itching caused by poison ivy
•skin irritation and inflammation
•sore feet
•sore muscles
Epsom salt’s chemical name is magnesium sulfate. One story about magnesium sulfate’s takes place in the Epsom region of England. During a drought in 1618, 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.
As the water evaporated, Wicker noticed white residue left behind and realized after drinking the water that it had a laxative effect. Epsom’s salts became a sought-after cure for constipation for hundreds of years following this happenstance discovery.
In 1755, a British chemist and physicist named Joseph Black conducted experiments on the chemical properties of magnesium sulfate. He proposed that magnesium be classified as an element.
Magnesium is essential for every life form on the planet. In the human body, it’s necessary for muscle and nerve function and maintaining a healthy immune system. It’s also needed to maintain a regular heartbeat, sufficient blood glucose, and strong bones.
Epsom salt baths can be relaxing and soothing. The benefits of a soak in Epsom salt-treated water have not been proven scientifically yet, but many people swear by this folk remedy. There’s very little downside to using Epsom salts in a bath.
Baths in general can be meditative and are a great way to take a break from daily stressors. Epsom salt may help your bath become even more relaxing by soothing tired muscles and easing stress.
- Corey Whelan
Sep 20, 2023 · Mineral waters rich in magnesium sulfate (known as Epsom salt) have been used for centuries to treat constipation, and randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have since demonstrated their efficacy in terms of improved stool consistency and number of bowel movements.
Dec 13, 2018 · Epsom salt may be helpful for easing constipation when taken as a supplement. It can also be used as a beauty product or bath salt. There isn’t a lot of evidence to support all of its...
- Brianna Elliott, RD
Oct 25, 2023 · If a person drinks Epsom salt, they could experience a laxative effect, which may help relieve constipation. Adults should combine 2–6 teaspoons (tsp) of Epsom salt with 8 ounces of water...
Sep 25, 2019 · 1. Pain relief. Is there anything better than a hot bath to soothe sore muscles or an aching body? And by adding Epsom salts to the equation, you just might add to the benefits—at least anecdotally, many people say that Epsom salt baths help them after a hard workout or long day.
While there’s some skepticism around the effectiveness of Epsom salt baths, an expert explains the benefits you could get from a good soak.
