Do epsom salt baths work

 Dec 29,2022

Epsom salts are a type of mineral salt found in nature. They are a compound of magnesium and sulfate.

Epsom salts look like coarse salt you might find in a kitchen. However, they are not meant for cooking and taste bitter.

Rather, they can be dissolved in the bath or applied to the skin. If unscented, they can also be dissolved in drinking water.

Magnesium is thought to have purported health and beauty benefits. This mineral helps with many body processes, including muscle functioning, bone growth, and energy processing.

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Dissolving Epsom salts in bathwater breaks them into magnesium and sulfate. Soaking in a tub filled with Epsom salts allows these components to be absorbed into the skin so the body can use them.
However, the question of whether the amount absorbed by the skin is sufficient to affect health is not well-supported.
Multiple studies have shown that little to no magnesium is absorbed from an Epsom salt bath. In fact, magnesium has a difficult time getting through all the layers of the skin. Similar results were also noted when magnesium sulfate skin creams were used.

Magnesium sulfate is effective when taken by mouth as a laxative. It works by removing water from the rest of the body and bringing it into the digestive tract, making bowel movements easier.

Epsom salts are thought to help with various conditions, though there is not much research to support this. Since the risks of use are relatively minimal for most, some people—including some healthcare providers—view the potential pros as outweighing any cons.

Your healthcare provider may recommend Epsom salt baths as an alternative treatment for certain conditions.

Besides being relaxing, Epsom salts soaks are often used to:

Help with pain and swelling due to arthritis, a group of conditions that impact the joints
Ease pain and tenderness caused by fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that can cause pain, exhaustion, and sleeping issues
Relieve soreness from diarrhoea
Ease pain from sunburns
Help with bruises and sprains
Heal and cleanse tears or stitches after childbirth
Help soften ingrown toenails and foot pain

Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is a naturally occurring mineral compound that has been cherished for its therapeutic and cosmetic benefits for centuries. Like many products, it does indeed have a shelf life, although it's impressively long-lasting.
Generally, epsom salt can maintain its quality and effectiveness for an extended period of time. A properly stored bag can remain good for up to five years or even more. So, if you've found an old bag of epsom salt at the back of your bathroom cabinet, there's a good chance it's still perfectly fine to use.

Does Epsom salt expire and lose its effectiveness? Well, suppose you discover a forgotten stash of Epsom salt at the back of your cabinet. Even if it’s a tad old, don’t discard it quickly.
While its therapeutic properties might diminish slightly, old Epsom salt can still serve many purposes. You can use it as a foot soak, an exfoliant, or even introduce it to your plants as a magnesium boost.