The Nanna Bathroom Staple We Need!

by BR Amelia

Growing up, I have a memory of a jar of salt that sat on my Nanna's bathroom counter. Weirdly enough, I don't remember seeing the level of them go up or down, but they were always there. As a child I thought it odd that you'd have salt in your bathroom, but as an adult, one with muscle aches and pains that can only be put down to a) age and b) not having a Dorothy to oil up my Tin Man-like joints, I understand why what I now know to be Epsom salts might be a constant in a person's life.

(Strangely enough, for a product that has been used for hundreds of years there has yet to be clinical studies done to confirm the benefits that many have claimed to experience. Due to this, benefits listed below are anecdotal rather than evidential.)

So why might we need Epsom salt in our lives? Read on...

What is Epsom salt?

In a nutshell, Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulphate and has a chemical make up of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen. When dissolved in water it releases the magnesium and sulphate, which is said to soak into the skin in order to further benefit a person's wellbeing.

Why soak in Epsom salt?

Again, keeping in mind that we're looking at anecdotal evidence here, the potential benefits of soaking in Epsom salt are said to be many, the most common being:

People report using Epsom salt to help ease muscle aches and pain.

Some find a soak in Epsom salt before bedtime sets them up for a better sleep.

Others believe soaking in a warm Epsom salt bath helps them ease stress and therefore improves their mental wellbeing.

Don't have a bath? You can even add a few handfuls into a bucket of warm water to create a foot soak, which is said to ease sore feet. 

Can anyone enjoy Epsom salts?

On the whole, yes. But talking to a health professional is always recommended (especially if you're pregnant or have a serious health condition, such as kidney disease). If you've an open wound, skin inflammation or a serious burn, it's best to avoid bathing in Epsom salt until healed.

If you don't have a bath, but are looking to reap the benefits of magnesium, talk to a health professional about taking a Magnesium supplement.

As for the question that irked me as a child...

Are Epsom salts the same as regular salt?

The answer is simply, no. So let's not be sprinkling them on your dinner the next time you're caught short of the regular stuff.

So, are you a fan of Epsom salts? Do you use them regularly? Are you keen to incorporate Epsom salts into your relax and/or recovery routine? Chat below!