Epsom salts are a type of salt that contains magnesium sulfate, which possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, laxative, and calming properties. They are typically indicated for muscle pain and constipation or as a complementary treatment for fibromyalgia or arthritis.

Epsom salts can be diluted in water and taken orally, or added to a bath or foot soak to promote relaxation or reduce swelling.

Epsom salts can be purchased at drug stores, pharmacies, or stores selling natural and organic products. Due to potential side effects (especially when taken orally), Epsom salts should only be used under the supervision of your doctor or healthcare provider.

Health benefits

Epsom salts can be used for:

1. Promoting relaxation

Epsom salts are most commonly added to baths to promote relaxation. Epsom salts help regulate magnesium levels in the body, which can boost the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with a sense of well-being and relaxation.

2. Reducing stress

Epsom salt baths can help reduce stress and anxiety due to the calming effects of Epsom salts.

This salt also helps replenish magnesium, which, when low, can increase the risk for depression and lower the production of serotonin.

See magnesium rich foods.

3. Relieving muscle pain and cramps

While there are insufficient studies as to whether Epsom salts can be absorbed through the skin, taking a bath with Epsom salts may help enable blood circulation, eliminate toxins, relax the muscles, and relieve muscle pain and cramps, primarily of the calves.

4. Reducing swelling

A bath with Epsom salts can help improve circulation, promoting blood flow in the legs and feet and reducing swelling and inflammation.

5. Relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis

Epsom salts have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties, and can be added to a bath or used to make a compress to help relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia or arthritis.

6. Treating psoriasis

A bath with Epsom salts can also be used as a complementary therapy in the treatment of psoriasis, helping to soften the skin and reduce itch.

7. Relieving constipation

The magnesium in Epsom salts has laxative and purgative properties, which enhance bowel movements and help relieve constipation when taken orally.

How they work

Epsom salts contain magnesium, which helps regulate muscle and nerve function in addition to reducing pain and inflammation.

While Epsom salts may have several health benefits, there is no scientific proof that the magnesium from Epsom salts is absorbed through the skin, meaning more studies are needed to prove these benefits.

For this reason, Epsom salts should be used only under medical supervision, and should not take the place of other treatments prescribed by your doctor or other healthcare provider.

How to use

Epsom salts can be added to a bath or foot soak, or used to make a compress. They can also be ingested orally.

1. Epsom salt immersion bath

Taking a bath with Epsom salts can done to help promote relaxation, reduce stress, and relieve muscle pain.

Ingredients

1 cup Epsom salts;
1 L of water.

Directions

Add Epsom salts to a bowl with warm water and stir until the salts are dissolved. Pour this solution into the bath water and immerse yourself up to your neck in the bath for about 15 to 20 minutes. This can be done up to twice a week.

2. Foot soak with Epsom salts

A foot soak with Epsom salts can help relieve swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, or burning sensation of the feet.

Ingredients

½ cup Epsom salts;
2 to 3 L of warm water or enough water to cover the feet and reach halfway up the calves.

Directions

Add Epsom salts to a foot bath with 2 to 3 L of water, mixing well until they dissolve. Soak your feet for about 15 minutes. This can be done up to three times a week.

3. Epsom salt compress

An Epsom salt compress can be used as a complementary therapy for the treatment of conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Epsom salts;
1 cup warm water.

Directions

Mix the ingredients together, then wet a compress and apply over the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice a week.

4. Epsom salt oral solution

Epsom salt oral solutions have a strong laxative effect and therefore may be used to relieve constipation.

Doses of Epsom salts to treat constipation should be determined by a doctor or registered dietitian, as there is no official consensus on the amount that should be ingested.

Taking larger doses than recommended can lead to magnesium toxicity (poisoning).

Side effects

Epsom salts can cause dry skin when added to baths, compresses, or foot soaks. It is therefore recommended to apply a moisturizer following use of Epsom salts in order to prevent irritation and cracked skin.

In some cases, Epsom salts may also trigger an allergic skin reaction. It is important to stop using them if this occurs.

When taken orally, Epsom salts can cause diarrhea, stomachache, or bloating.

Additionally, ingesting higher-than-recommended doses of Epsom salts can cause hypermagnesemia, or magnesium toxicity, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, hypotension, drowsiness, double vision, weakness, confusion, and respiratory or cardiac arrest.

These symptoms can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention at the closest emergency department.

Contraindications to use

Epsom salts should be avoided in children, pregnant people, and people with diabetes, kidney problems, or heart problems unless approved by a doctor.

Epsom salts should not be ingested by people with a chronic bowel obstruction, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or other types of intestinal inflammation, or by people taking digoxin.

Epsom salts should not be used for more than 2 weeks.