To do this, add 2 cups, or about 475 grams (g), of Epsom salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub and soak your body for at least 15 minutes. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Magnesium is a natural substance that aids a variety of bodily functions, including the removal of toxins. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. The name Epsom salt is a nod to the town of Epsom, located a stones throw away from London in England, where the salt was supposedly discovered about 400 years ago. Learn more. Epsom salt is a popular remedy for many ailments. However, experts are unclear whether Epsom salt is directly responsible for these effects. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. The most popular use for Epsom salt is in baths. While there isnt strong, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, many people say they feel relief for multiple symptoms by soaking in an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt is one of many naturally occurring mineral salts, a compound of magnesium and sulfate in rock-like formations. However, due to its taste, you probably dont want to add it to food. Instructions: Leave wrap for 24 hours before you start soaking. Epsom salt is unlike table salt as it tastes bitter and is not a suitable ingredient for cooking. Epsom salts may be used to help remove dead skin from the face, body, and scalp. Contact a doctor if you experience signs of an allergic reaction or other serious side effects. Again, the magnesium is deemed responsible for these effects, since many people with fibromyalgia and arthritis are deficient in this mineral (16, 17). You shouldn't squat, jump, twist or kneel on hard surfaces within a few weeks after knee surgery. When used as a soak, Epsom salt is generally considered safe. Your orthopedist will clear you when it is safe for you to drive. However, in a 2016 study, researchers found that magnesium can pass through the outer layer of skin. If youve never had an Epsom salt bath, consider testing a patch of skin with magnesium sulfate and water first. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. These include those with kidney disease or heart disease, pregnant women, and children. Take your pain medication as prescribed. If you have to walk around, use crutches to minimize the weight on your knee. If you have dry skin, stress, arthritis, or other common conditions, you may wonder how to use bath salts to ease your symptoms. You can also put the Epsom salt under running water if you want it to dissolve more quickly. However, advocates of it argue that an Epsom salt detox bath may have the following benefits: Epsom salt bathwater can soften rough, dry skin, and exfoliate dead skin cells. This benefit can also aid sore muscles in the recovery period after a workout. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. It may also be drying to your skin. it is a type of diet where u eat 4x apple juice w/ olive oil and epsom salt for 6 days. Learn more about using Epsom salt to relieve constipation here. 3. If you had abdominal surgery, you should avoid showering for the first two weeks after the procedure. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. (2017). Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? Dr. Rodeffer-Evans said that's not necessary, but if you choose to use Epsom salt, keep it to one-half cup of salt per gallon of water. A higher concentration could be irritating and cause additional problems and complications to current injuries if the incorrect amounts are used. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Sulfate can strengthen the walls of the digestive tract and make releasing toxins easier. Remember that everyones magnesium needs are different. Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Manage-Pain-After-Knee-Replacement-Surgery-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-Pain-After-Knee-Replacement-Surgery-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Manage-Pain-After-Knee-Replacement-Surgery-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid4819903-v4-728px-Manage-Pain-After-Knee-Replacement-Surgery-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. For this effect, combine equal parts conditioner and Epsom salt. Remember that it works differently for everyone and that you may not experience the reported benefits. Epsom salt overdoses are rare but can cause serious side effects, including: More research is needed to prove the benefits and detoxifying effects of Epsom salt baths. For hundreds of years, this salt has been used to treat ailments, such as electrolyte abnormalities, constipation, and eclampsia. The theory is that when you soak in an Epsom salt bath, these minerals get absorbed into your body through the skin. If a person is unsure about how to use Epsom salts in their bath, they can follow these steps: A person may consider adding the following essential oils to help them relax and get to sleep: If a person drinks Epsom salt, they could experience a laxative effect, which may help relieve constipation. Your article helped alleviate my concerns. Scientific research, however, isnt quite as vocal in its support. Alternatively, you may be given prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, or painkillers such as Tylenol #3. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Its also possible that the calming effects of Epsom salt baths are simply due to the relaxation caused by taking hot baths. With the permission of your doctor, soak your leg in a warm Epsom salt bath, which can significantly reduce pain and swelling, especially within muscles.