I have seen references to epsom salt baths in several threads now. What is the purpose and what does it do, and how much of what

Try a bath in garlic and ginger first.

Just kidding.

Hi Golf,

I use it for relaxing sore achey mucsles and removing toxins from the body.  I also use it to relax and reduce stress.  I soak in an epsom salts bath 3-4 times a week and sometimes more.  I literally let the epsom salts "take me away".   I bathe in a dark bathroom with the only light beeing from my soy candles and soft piano music playing on my ipod dock.  I also add a Tbsp or two of Lavender Essential Oil.  I have tried to meditate and the closest I get to it is my baths...  This high energy high strung wild girl actually does relax.. woohooo

I prescribe epsom salt soaks a lot to acne clients for back acne

Epsom salts are used for many other things and you can find all kinds of things it is used for at:

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/about_epsom_salt.cfm

Ribbit you are killing me!!!

Quoted from Ribbit

Just kidding.

Ribbit, I was going to say that would be a sure way to be invited to sleep in the guest room...

You are so bad

Quoted from Golfzilla

I have seen references to epsom salt baths in several threads now. What is the purpose and what does it do, and how much of what

What Frosty said...  

You can also just soak your feet, etc...  Typically used to help blood movement and draw out toxins - from a sprain or other...

Ribbit, I like your sense of humor  - although if someone hasn't been reading the whole forum, they might not get it...

If you want to keep your sons and daughter celabate have them bathe in tons garlic and ginger... he he he he

Quoted from Frosty

Hi Golf,

I use it for relaxing sore achey mucsles and removing toxins from the body.  I also use it to relax and reduce stress.  I soak in an epsom salts bath 3-4 times a week and sometimes more.  I literally let the epsom salts "take me away".   I bathe in a dark bathroom with the only light beeing from my soy candles and soft piano music playing on my ipod dock.  I also add a Tbsp or two of Lavender Essential Oil.  I have tried to meditate and the closest I get to it is my baths...  This high energy high strung wild girl actually does relax.. woohooo

I prescribe epsom salt soaks a lot to acne clients for back acne

Epsom salts are used for many other things and you can find all kinds of things it is used for at:

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/about_epsom_salt.cfm

Thank you Frosty! This is exactly what I was looking for and I shall read it tonight with a glass of cabernet franc and toast your health!

Quoted from Frosty

If you want to keep your sons and daughter celabate have them bathe in tons garlic and ginger... he he he he

Now, you tell me!

Quoted from Golfzilla

Ribbit, I was going to say that would be a sure way to be invited to sleep in the guest room...

My DH received such an invitation from me the other evening, along with a good many kind-hearted chuckles.  I'd made beans, so I guess it was really my fault.

Quoted from Ribbit

Try a bath in garlic and ginger first.

Took me a while to get it.  .  It'd keep the vampires and lovers at bay for sure!

I heard about Epsom baths when I was researching G6PD deficiency.  G6PD - deficients have impaired detox ability and should avoid sulphites because of low levels of sulphur in the body necessary to process those.  You can increase sulphur in your diet through garlic, onions and also taking Epsom Salt baths ( Ribbit!).  

Then I also read about them re: salicylates and amines.  If you are low in sulphur these food chemicals may build up in you.  It's all about detox.
Also found that it is recommended for people with Autism as they are often deficient in Sulphur.

Here's another good summary about it:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Epsom-Epson-Salt--Another-View

It totally relaxes me and gets rid of any aches and pains and puts me in a sleepy mood.  Seems to increase digestion ability and I've felt less aches and more detoxed since starting.  A cup disolved in warm bath once a week or so.

You deserve it!

Quoted from Ribbit

My DH received such an invitation from me the other evening, along with a good many kind-hearted chuckles.  I'd made beans, so I guess it was really my fault.

Tiny bubbles, in his pants - lalalalalalalala.....

Quoted from Ribbit

Try a bath in garlic and ginger first.

The best jokes are ones that work with a deadpan delivery.  

Quoted from E. B. White

Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.

I felt stressed last night (after a full-on week) and soaked in an epson bath for an hour. I had about 2 cups of epson salt. I felt great afterwards. Epson salt has lots of magnesium.

Quoted from Golfzilla

Tiny bubbles, in his pants - lalalalalalalala.....

Golf, you're a scream.  

Scary to think of you and Ribbit in the same room.

Back when I had a bathroom with a tub, I tried Epsom salt baths a few times. Made me feel like a new woman.

Not sure how it works, but it took a lot of the aches away.

Quoted from newtypeA

Scary to think of you and Ribbit in the same room.

Oh, it'll happen sooner or later.

Epsom salt is the common name for magnesium sulfate (a chemical compound containing magnesium, sulfur and oxygen)
I heard recently that through the skin is the best way to absorb magnesium into the body??!! Anyone know if this is true? I lament the absence of a bath then, if that is a fact... Our spa is way to big to soak in - its takes ages to fill, not to mention heaps of water... I guess we could both soak in it though...Hmmmm there goes the evening... wink wink lol

Quoted from Golfzilla

Ribbit, I was going to say that would be a sure way to be invited to sleep in the guest room... You are so bad

Depends who is in the spare room....

I would like to state the obvious (with the use of Epsom Salts at least in our house) help you poop!

Back in the day my DH was a black belt fighter and over did it... so I recommended an Epsom salt bath... he tossed the whole milk jug (we bought it in a 2L size container) into one bath and soaked way past prune-ee.... 30 minutes after he was re-visiting the bathroom for another special event..... Our joke now is if there was ever an issues to lose weight to fight... he'd just take an epsom salt bath... he believes he lost 20lbs of poop!

Are you serious?!  Must try.

Yes, it does work with higher concentration of Epsom Salts in the water and a good long soak.

Health Benefits

Studies show these benefits from the major components of Epsom Salt may:
Magnesium:

• Ease stress and improves sleep and concentration
  Help muscles and nerves function properly
  Regulate activity of 325+ enzymes
  Help prevent artery hardening and blood clots
  Make insulin more effective
  Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps
  Improve oxygen use
  

Sulfates:

• Flush toxins
  Improve absorption of nutrients
  Help form joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins
  Help prevent or ease migraine headaches
  

Why it works:
Magnesium - the key component of Epsom Salt -- performs more functions in more systems of the human body than virtually any other mineral, including regulating the activity of more than 325 enzymes.
Studies show that magnesium is:

• An electrolyte, helping to ensure proper muscle, nerve and enzyme function.
  Critical to the proper use of calcium in cells.
  An aid in helping to prevent heart disease and strokes by lowering blood pressure, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of sudden heart attack deaths.
  

Medical research also indicates that magnesium may:

• Increase the effectiveness of insulin, helping to lower the risk or severity of diabetes.
  Reduce inflammation and relieves pain, making it a beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma, migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.
  

Although magnesium can be absorbed through the digestive tract, many foods, drugs and medical conditions can interfere with the effectiveness of this deliver method. Therefore, soaking in an Epsom Salt bath is one of the most effective means of making the magnesium your body needs readily available.

Epsom Salt also delivers sulfates, which medical research indicates are needed for the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the mucin proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. Studies show that sulfates also stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and help to detoxify the body's residue of medicines and environmental contaminants. Studies indicate that sulfates are difficult to absorb from food, but are readily absorbed through the skin.

Epsom salt – actually magnesium sulfate – has been used therapeutically for hundreds of years, and it’s gaining a new generation of fans looking for a safe, economical alternative in a sea of expensive, over-the-counter remedies. Epsom salt is one of the most versatile household products, with uses ranging from creating at-home spa treatments to soothing achy muscles to helping start or improve gardens. It’s easy to use, easy to find in your local pharmacy or grocery store and it costs about the same per use as a cup of coffee.

Resource: Epsom Salt Council

I overheard one of the NDs at the conference in 05 talking about putting a little regular salt in with the epsom salt to increase the magnesium absorption.  I'm not sure how it works, it frees up the Mg ions somehow... it does feel good.  

For those who don't have a bathtub, you could just soak your feet, and you could even combine it into a salt scrub to use in the shower. The crystals will help with exfoliation to boot, although you wouldn't have it on you for as long as you would with a soak.

Quoted from Ribbit

Oh, it'll happen sooner or later.

I suspect Dr D will make us sign a disclaimer first!