Magnesium is so important . It is needed for every chemical reaction within our bodies and every enzymatic process. It is needed for our energy cycles, our stress management, blood sugar control and muscular and neurological functioning.
Most people are low in magnesium. We gain magnesium mainly through plant sources which absorb magnesium from the soil. The problem is that modern farming methods have stripped the soils of magnesium so unfortunately, the food chain reflects this and it is very difficult to gain enough magnesium through food. You can read more about the importance of magnesium in our physiological functioning here.
A great way of topping up our magnesium levels is to use epsom salts in our bathwater. Epsom salts are magnesium salts. Dissolving them in water and then bathing in the water helps our body absorb them transdermally (through the skin).
However, epsom salt baths are not for everyone. You should not use epsom salts if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes or if you are pregnant.
Tip: Buy a 5kg tub of magnesium sulphate instead of searching for epsom salts. It is the same thing but is more cost effective than buying epsom salts.
What to do
Add 1 - 2 cup fulls of magnesium salts to your empty bath and fill with warm to hot water
Agitate the water to dissolve the salts
When the water is at the right temperature, submerge your body so that your shoulders are under the water if possible.
Stay submerged for 20 minutes
If the water is hot then use a cold flannel on your head to keep yourself from overheating.
Always drink a pint of cold water whilst bathing.
After 20 minutes, pat yourself dry - don`t rub
Children can benefit from epsom salt baths but should have the water cooler.
If you don`t have a bath then regular foot baths can be equally beneficial.
What to expect
It is normal to feel very hot when having an epsom salt bath.
It is normal to sweat more excessively than you usually would in the bath. The sweating is removing toxins from your body through the skin.
It is common for muscular aches and pains to feel eased after epsom salt baths. It is better to have 2 or 3 baths per week if you have muscular inflammation or are especially low on magnesium.
Most people are low in magnesium. We gain magnesium mainly through plant sources which absorb magnesium from the soil. The problem is that modern farming methods have stripped the soils of magnesium so unfortunately, the food chain reflects this and it is very difficult to gain enough magnesium through food. You can read more about the importance of magnesium in our physiological functioning here.
A great way of topping up our magnesium levels is to use epsom salts in our bathwater. Epsom salts are magnesium salts. Dissolving them in water and then bathing in the water helps our body absorb them transdermally (through the skin).
However, epsom salt baths are not for everyone. You should not use epsom salts if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes or if you are pregnant.
Tip: Buy a 5kg tub of magnesium sulphate instead of searching for epsom salts. It is the same thing but is more cost effective than buying epsom salts.
What to do
Add 1 - 2 cup fulls of magnesium salts to your empty bath and fill with warm to hot water
Agitate the water to dissolve the salts
When the water is at the right temperature, submerge your body so that your shoulders are under the water if possible.
Stay submerged for 20 minutes
If the water is hot then use a cold flannel on your head to keep yourself from overheating.
Always drink a pint of cold water whilst bathing.
After 20 minutes, pat yourself dry - don`t rub
Children can benefit from epsom salt baths but should have the water cooler.
If you don`t have a bath then regular foot baths can be equally beneficial.
What to expect
It is normal to feel very hot when having an epsom salt bath.
It is normal to sweat more excessively than you usually would in the bath. The sweating is removing toxins from your body through the skin.
It is common for muscular aches and pains to feel eased after epsom salt baths. It is better to have 2 or 3 baths per week if you have muscular inflammation or are especially low on magnesium.
