Epsom salt, sometimes known as hydrated magnesium sulfate, has been used since the 1500s to treat muscle pains and constipation. According to the Discovery Channel's Planet Green, the National Academy of Sciences says that most people don't have enough magnesium in their bodies, a deficiency that can lead to arthritis and joint pain, stress-related health problems and chronic fatigue. Because the magnesium in Epsom salt can be absorbed through the skin, it has the power to quickly and effectively reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Step 1
Add 2 cups of Epsom salts to warm running water for a standard-size bathtub; add 4 cups to a large or garden tub.
Step 2
Soak for at least 12 minutes in the warm water to let the magnesium from the Epsom salts penetrate your skin to provide relief.
Step 3
Take Epsom salt baths three times a week or as needed to relieve muscle aches and pains.
Step 4
Add a cup of Epsom salts to a foot tub of hot water if your pain is in your feet. The soak will improve your circulation and restore your magnesium balance to relieve foot pain.
Step 5
Add 2 cups of Epsom salts to a gallon of warm water, and soak a clean washcloth in the mixture for several minutes, until the cloth is completely saturated. Apply the compress to specific sore muscles or spots on your body for 10 to 15 minutes.
Tips and Warnings
- Look for Epsom salt in the part of the drugstore that's devoted to pain remedies, in the section with the laxatives or in the bath products aisle. There are a number of different brands of Epsom salt, but while there might be slight differences in the specific formulation, the brand you choose is a matter of personal preference, according to the Epsom Salt Council. There's no significant difference among brands.
- If you have serious health problems or if you're pregnant, check with your doctor before using Epsom salt. If you have a hot tub, check with your manufacturer before using Epsom salt.
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