Bath Salts: What are they?

Bath salts are a fantastic, safe addition to your self-care routine and there are multiple salt bath benefits! Using salts as a therapy has been around for centuries, such as the Ancient Greeks use of ‘Halotherapy’ i.e. Salt Therapy. Most used for bath salts are Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), Magnesium chloride, or sea salt. These salts easily dissolve in water and are useful as stress relief, pain, inflammation, skin conditions and much more. Don’t have a bath? Magnesium sulfate can also be found in spray on bottles and lotions for other ways to externally use this brilliant product.

What is magnesium?

Magnesium is a superstar mineral which plays a part in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body! These reactions include protein synthesis, function of muscles and nerves, controlling blood sugar and assisting in the blood pressure and heart rhythm regulation. It’s also required for production of energy and is a component of bone development. Magnesium assists as well in the synthesis of DNA and antioxidants! Magnesium can be found in food sources such as leafy greens and certain nuts and seeds (i.e. pumpkin seeds, chia seeds & almonds) or through magnesium supplements. Another great way to increase your intake is salt baths.

As the body requires vast amounts of magnesium for so many processes, the balance of magnesium can therefore be depleted. This can be due to dietary inadequacy, increased physical activity, rapid growth, lifestyle factors and disease. For example, medication such as diuretics and laxatives can cause deficiency. Conditions such as stress, diabetes, alcohol dependency and gastrointestinal disorders can also reduce absorption.

How does a Salt Bath work?

Adding magnesium-based bath salts to your wellness routine is as simple as adding a cup into a warm running bath and relaxing into for 20 minutes. While you relax, you are delivering minerals to the body through the skin. Dermal absorption is when a substance passes through the outer layers of skin and into the lymph and vascular system. Magnesium is one of these substances that is welcomed and actively absorbed by the cells.

Studies have found that a 20-minute foot-soak with magnesium chloride and daily external applications can improve cellular levels of magnesium significantly. Furthermore, other studies have found that a 1% solution of Epsom salts in a warm bath can immediately effect serum levels of magnesium.

Salt bath Benefits

There are many benefits to having salt baths, on top of the relaxing benefits of having a bath itself. Many of the bath salt benefits are quite similar to magnesium supplementation, which you can read about in my blog Best Magnesium Supplements Tablets and Powders. Although, topical magnesium is a great alternative to those who have issues with magnesium digestion. Salt bath benefits include:

• Improved muscle pain and stiffness: bath salts can help to reduce tense muscles and inflammation.
• Improved joint pain and stiffness : The Arthritis Foundation recommends Epsom salt baths to help relieve stiff and aching joints, by soaking and stretching within.
• Reduced circulatory issues: as magnesium helps to send messages within the nervous system and improve cardiovascular health, improving intake can improve circulation issues.
• Reduction of headaches & migraines: as magnesium can reduce muscle tension and lessen pain, bath salts can be a great way to reduce headaches and migraines.
• Reduced anxiety/stress: when we are under stress our body utilises magnesium for hormones and physical preparedness for fight or flight. Likewise, when we have magnesium deficiency, we are more likely to feel the effects of stress. Magnesium baths are therefore a great way to nourish your nervous system
• Assist with skin conditions: Bath salts are used to relieve skin inflammatory conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It is also useful for relieving dry and itching skin.
• Detox support: Epsom salts are great for helping remove toxins from the body through encouragement of elimination and reducing inflammation.
• Correcting magnesium deficiency: as it is another form of magnesium, known to absorb through the skin, magnesium salt baths are a safe way to improve magnesium intake.

Are Bath Salts Safe?

Bath Salts are, generally, a safe and effective treatment option. It is a great alternative to those who have difficulty digesting magnesium supplements, as supplementation can cause gastrointestinal irritation. As bath salts are readily absorbed magnesium, it may be beneficial to speak to your health care provider before using bath salts if you have medical conditions or take medications in case it is contraindicated.

What are the best Bath Salts?

There are many different bath salts at Gr8 Health which can assist you with your health goals.

1. Sore muscles/aches/pains: although most forms of bath salts will provide assistance with reducing aches and pains in the muscles and joints, we have one product that is particularly formulated for it. The Amazing Oils Active Bath Flakes Magnesium Chloride & Menthol is infused with menthol to aid in muscle relaxation and recovery which is great after exercise.
2. Detox: Although Epsom salts are less bio-available than magnesium chloride flakes, they are a popular alternative for detox and relaxation. The Amazing Oils Magnesium Epsom Salts Detox Bath Soak has pharmaceutical grade, high quality Epsom salts. The Byron Bath Salts Detox also is a great option which is enriched with mandarin, lemon and grapefruit essential oils.
3. Stress, anxiety & sleep: My go to bath flakes for sleep and stress is the Amazing Oils Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes With Lavender & Chamomile which contains the lavender and chamomile to intensify the relacing effects of this bath soak. If you don’t have time for a bath, the Ancient Minerals Magnesium Good Night Melatonin Lotion contains gentler concentration of magnesium and the addition of melatonin for sound sleep.
4. Sensitive Skin: Although bath flakes can be beneficial to those with skin concerns, it can cause a slight tingling sensation occasionally. Gentler formulations, such as the Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes Ultra with MSM, has a lower concentration of magnesium and contains MSM Sulfur. Sulfur has skin-soothing properties, which makes this product great for those with sensitive skin.

Are Bath Salts good for you?

In conclusion, yes! Bath salts can be a great way to increase magnesium into the body and comes with an array of physical and mental health benefits. You can add essential oils to your bath to even further this addition to your relaxation, self-care routine. This safe and effective treatment is definitely worth trying!

References:

epsomsaltcouncil.org/uses-benefits/health/

10.1002/14651858.CD009402.pub2

https://www.healthline.com/health/bath-salts#takeaway

http://www.omega3global.com/shop/images/pdfs/transdermal_magnesium.pdf.

http://www.mgwater.com/transdermal.shtml.

Dean C. The Magnesium Miracle. New York: Ballantine Books; 2007.

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/2005/09/15/magnesium_chloride_in_acute_and_chronic_diseases.htm

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286839#benefits

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/magnesium/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507271/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-magnesium