Epsom salt, magnesium salt, or magnesium sulfate are all names for a mineral compound that is used for various therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Contributes to relieving muscle pain, sprains, bruises, and other diseases and injuries. Now, what do you think, dear reader, to learn more about English salt?

What is Epsom salt?

Epsom salt is a chemical compound composed of sulfur, magnesium, and oxygen. Its origin goes back to a city in Surrey in England called “Epsom”. Despite the similarity of the names, this salt is completely different from the table salt used in our daily lives, and it is said that it may be called salt because of its chemical composition.

The use of this salt goes back hundreds of years, as people used it to treat various diseases, such as constipation, fibromyalgia, and insomnia. Epsom salt also differs from table salt in taste, as it tastes bitter and unpleasant. It is also called by some “bath salt” because of its melting in baths.

How does Epsom salt work?

When Epsom salt is dissolved in water, it releases sulfate and magnesium ions. These molecules are able to be absorbed by the skin, providing it and you with the sulfates and magnesium that contribute to important bodily functions.

It is worth noting that there is still a need to conduct more studies on the ability of the skin to absorb magnesium and sulfate. The use of this type of salt in bathrooms is the most common, as it dissolves easily in bathing water.

Benefits of Epsom salt

It is said that most of the benefits of Epsom salt are due to the magnesium in it. People do not get enough of this mineral. In the following lines, we will learn about the various benefits of this salt:

1- Provides magnesium to the body

The first and most abundant mineral in the body is calcium, followed closely by magnesium. Magnesium benefits more than 325 chemical reactions that benefit the heart and nervous system in the human body. Since most people do not consume enough magnesium, they need magnesium-rich supplements, such as Epsom salts

2- Helps reduce stress and promote sleep

When enough magnesium enters the body, a person can sleep adequately and feel less tired; This is because magnesium helps the brain produce neurotransmitters that reduce stress and aid sleep. Magnesium also helps the body produce the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin. The lack of magnesium in the body negatively affects the quality of sleep and the feeling of stress.

3- Helps treat constipation

Magnesium is usually used to treat addiction, as it pushes water into the colon, which helps in moving the bowels. People take magnesium in the form of citrate or magnesium hydroxide by mouth. To relieve the severity of constipation. But you should consult a doctor before using it, and use it from time to time only as a laxative and not for a long time. Epsom salt can cause some side effects, such as bloating and diarrhea.

4-Helps reduce pain

Some people who do not have enough magnesium may experience muscle cramps and chronic inflammation. It is worth noting that there are some health diseases that affect the body’s absorption of magnesium, such as diseases of the digestive system, such as digestive disorders, and type 2 diabetes. An Epsom salt bath may help reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles.

5- Helps improve exercise performance and recovery

Adequate magnesium levels are very beneficial for exercise; It helps the body to use glucose and lactic acid. Since athletes are more likely to have low levels of magnesium. Therefore, nutrition and health professionals often advise taking magnesium supplements to achieve optimal performance during exercise.

6-Helps relieve stress

Magnesium helps metabolize neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells. These chemicals affect all aspects of a person’s daily life, including mood and concentration. Epsom salt bath helps to relax and reduce stress.

The different uses of Epsom salt

In addition to its health benefits, Epsom salt has many aesthetic and therapeutic uses, such as:

1- It is used in the treatment of acne

This salt is a natural and effective skin cleanser. Because it contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. Therefore, it is a great choice for you if you suffer from this problem, in addition to its ability to get rid of dead skin and impurities in the skin. You only need a teaspoon of Epsom salt with your facial cleanser and wash as usual before bed.

2- It is used as a blackhead remover

Epsom salt works as an effective solution in removing blackheads from the skin. All you need to do is add 1 teaspoon of it to 4 drops of iodine in a cup of hot water and stir until it completely dissolves. Wait for it to calm down a bit and apply the mixture to the problem areas and massage it, then leave it to dry and rinse it with cold water to close the pores.

3- It is used as a scalp cleanser

Remove various products from your hair and scalp with Epsom salt. Mix a cup of Epsom salt and a cup of lemon juice with 3 liters of water, cover the mixture and leave it for 24 hours without using. The second day, put the mixture on the hair and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash it as usual.

4- It is used to relieve the symptoms of poison ivy

Epsom salts may help reduce swelling and irritation in patients with poison ivy. All you have to do is put a cotton ball in a mixture of a cup of cold water and two tablespoons of Epsom salt, then squeeze it and apply it to the affected area.

5- It is used to relieve sunburn

To treat your skin after a long day in the sun, take a spray bottle and add a cup of water and two tablespoons of Epsom salt to it, and spray it on the affected areas. The anti-inflammatory properties of Epsom salt make it a great remedy for sunburn relief.

How to use Epsom salt for a belly cleanse

It is well known that constipation is one of the things that bothers you the most and is an obstacle to the process of cleansing the abdomen. The method of using Epsom salt to clean the stomach depends on drinking it as follows:

• Dissolve 4 teaspoons of Epsom salt in 16 tablespoons of water and drink it right away.
• This mixture is suitable for adults and children from 12 years old.
• If you can’t stand the taste of salt, you can add lemon to it. It will start working within 30 minutes of taking it. The dose can be repeated if constipation persists after four hours, and if you do not feel better, you must refer to the doctor.

Damage and side effects of Epsom salt

Most people do not experience any side effects of Epsom salt, but some people with sensitive skin may experience a rash or contact dermatitis after using it. But there are some people who should use Epsom salt by mouth completely, and they are:

• pregnant.
• who suffer from kidney disease.
• who suffer from heart disease.
• children.

Frequent use may lead to an upset stomach that appears in the form of diarrhea or bloating. Also, in some cases, when taking excessive doses of the magnesium contained in this salt, people develop some symptoms that include headaches, dizziness, redness of the skin, and nausea.