Bath salts have long been used as a popular and affordable way to treat various mental and physical health ailments. Made from ingredients like magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) or sea salt, bath salts are easily dissolved in warm bath water and offer a range of benefits, from stress relief to soothing aches and pains.
What do bath salts do for your body?
Bath salts can provide both physical and mental health benefits. They can be used to create detox baths that help ease muscle pain, arthritis, and headaches, as well as treat skin conditions. The minerals in bath salts are believed to help remove toxins from the body, improve overall health, relieve stress, treat constipation, and even assist with weight loss.
Detox bath
A detox bath is typically made with Epsom salt, which is known for its high magnesium content. Magnesium absorption is an important benefit of Epsom salt detox baths, especially for those with a deficiency, such as people with fibromyalgia. These baths have been shown to increase magnesium and sulfate levels in the blood, providing various health benefits.
To make a detox bath using Epsom salt:
- Use 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-size bathtub filled with warm water.
- Pour the salt into running water to help it dissolve faster.
- Soak in the tub for at least 12 minutes, or 20 minutes to treat constipation.
Adding essential oils like lavender or peppermint can enhance the aromatherapy benefits of the bath, promoting relaxation and improved mood.
Muscle aches
Bath salts can help relieve muscle aches by relaxing tense muscles and reducing inflammation. To make bath salts for muscle pain:
- Use 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-size bathtub filled with warm water.
- Pour the Epsom salt into the running water to help it dissolve faster.
- Stir the water with your hand to dissolve any remaining grains.
- Soak for at least 12 minutes.
Adding a few drops of diluted cinnamon bark essential oil may also help ease muscle pain, as it has a warming effect on the skin. Additionally, a 2017 study found cinnamon bark oil to be a promising anti-inflammatory agent.
Skin inflammation or irritation
Bath salts can be used to relieve skin inflammation and irritation caused by conditions like eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and athlete's foot. The National Eczema Association recommends adding 1 cup of table salt to a bath during a flare-up to prevent stinging. Epsom salt or sea salt can also be used to treat skin irritation and inflammation.
To make bath salts for itchy and irritated skin:
- Use 1 cup of Epsom salt, sea salt, or table salt for a standard-size bathtub.
- Pour the salt into the warm running bath water and stir to dissolve all the grains.
- Soak in the tub for at least 20 minutes.
Tea tree oil, known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, can be added to provide additional relief of inflammation and irritation. It is important to dilute essential oils before use.
Dry or itchy skin
Bath salts can also help relieve dry and itchy skin, including itching caused by insect bites and poison ivy. To use bath salts for this purpose:
- Use 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt and a tablespoon of olive oil for a standard-size bathtub.
- Pour the salt into the warm running water to help it dissolve faster.
- Add the olive oil and stir the bath water using your hand to combine the salt and oil.
- Soak for at least 12 minutes, 2 or 3 times a week.
Almond oil, oatmeal, or powdered milk can also be added to bath salts to soothe and moisturize the skin.
Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation recommends soaking and stretching in a warm Epsom salt bath to relieve stiff and aching joints, as well as muscle soreness after exercise. To use bath salts for arthritis:
- Use 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-size bathtub filled with warm water.
- Dissolve the salt faster by pouring it into the running water.
- Soak for at least 20 minutes a day as needed or after exercise.
Adding a few drops of diluted ginger essential oil may offer additional anti-inflammatory benefits, as ginger has been shown to have anti-arthritic and joint-protective effects in arthritis.
In addition to these methods, bath salts can also be used in the shower as a scrub, in foot soaks to relieve various foot conditions, and even to exfoliate dry and cracked heels. The possibilities are endless!
Are bath salts edible?
Despite the name, bath salts should never be ingested or smoked. Bath salts are actually powerful and dangerous stimulant drugs that contain manmade chemicals. They can increase brain and central nervous system activity similar to drugs like amphetamines or MDMA (Ecstasy).
Short-term effects of using bath salts can include agitation, irritability, insomnia, dizziness, panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, distorted sense of reality, decreased ability to think clearly, mood disturbances, and psychosis. Physical effects can include decreased muscle and body control, increased blood pressure and body temperature, chest pains, irregular heartbeat, nosebleeds, nausea, vomiting, seizures, stroke, heart attack, and brain swelling.
Long-term abuse of bath salts can lead to hallucinations, hearing voices, paranoia, and psychosis resembling schizophrenia. Bath salts can also be highly addictive, and individuals may go to great lengths to maintain their high, including taking risks.
It is important to note that bath salts have been linked to numerous deaths, suicides, and murders. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, seek help from a healthcare provider or contact your local health department. Support can also be found through helplines and online resources.
How do you use bath salts?
As mentioned earlier, bath salts can be used in various ways depending on the desired effect. They can be dissolved in warm bath water, used as a shower scrub, or added to foot soaks. The specific instructions for each method are outlined above.
Is bath salt good for your skin?
Bath salts can be beneficial for the skin. They can relieve inflammation and irritation caused by conditions like eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and athlete's foot. Bath salts can also soothe dry and itchy skin, including itching caused by insect bites and poison ivy. Additionally, bath salts can help exfoliate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and rejuvenated.
However, it is important to note that individual reactions to bath salts may vary. If you have sensitive skin or any concerns, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before using bath salts.
Overall, bath salts can be a wonderful addition to your self-care routine. They offer a range of benefits for both the body and mind. Just remember to use them responsibly and avoid ingesting or smoking them, as they are not intended for such purposes. Enjoy the relaxing and therapeutic effects of bath salts, and indulge in some well-deserved pampering!
Q: Can I ingest or smoke bath salts?
A: No, bath salts should never be ingested or smoked. They are powerful and dangerous stimulant drugs that can have severe and potentially fatal effects on the body.
Q: Can bath salts be addictive?
A: Yes, bath salts can be highly addictive. Individuals may feel compelled to do whatever it takes to maintain their high, including taking risks.
Q: Are there any long-term effects of using bath salts?
A: Long-term abuse of bath salts can lead to hallucinations, hearing voices, paranoia, and psychosis resembling schizophrenia.
Q: Where can I find help for drug addiction?
A: If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, seek help from a healthcare provider or contact your local health department. Support can also be found through helplines and online resources.
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