Health News / November 2006
Take the Holidays with a Bit of Salt
The season’s spiraling activity has already begun, and the familiar tension from tight budgets and family ties may be inescapable. While homemakers are happy to look back to more traditional times for their holiday decorating ideas and holiday menus, they might want to check out another old fashioned tradition.
Epsom salt, actually magnesium sulfate, is a natural, time honored antidote for handling stress, whether it’s from sleigh rides to Grandma’s house or ten trips to the mall.
Natural and affordable, Epsom salts offer contemporary mothers the same comforting solace that it provided their grandmothers and great grandmothers. And, Epsom salt has traditionally been a beauty aid as well as a health aid.
A relaxing bath in the age old remedy is a simple way to dissolve stress levels, or at least let them simmer down to manageable proportions.
Available at the supermarket or the drugstore, Epsom salts require no prescription and no major investment. While there are various ways of manufacturing and packaging Epsom Salt, chemically, all Epsom Salt is the same. The Epsom salt at the grocery store is the same as the Epsom salt at the pharmacy. Because it is used as a treatment for muscle aches, it may be in the aisle with aspirin and Ace bandages. But, it can also be found in the laxative section since Epsom salt is approved by the FDA as an effective, natural laxative.
Studies have shown that magnesium performs many functions in the human body. Since it is easily absorbed through the skin, reducing stress and improving health is as easy as relaxing in the tub.
Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain the body of magnesium, a natural stress reliever and the main component of Epsom Salt. The body requires magnesium to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation. Restoring magnesium levels also improves sleep, reduces anxiety and relieves muscle aches, all common ailments during the holiday season.
Unlike sea salt, Epsom Salt doesn’t dry skin or leave a residue. It is widely reported to soften skin, and it rinses away completely.
For a relaxing soak, add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil.
To make homemade bath crystals, mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or half a teaspoon of glycerin for additional skin softening. Store in an air-tight container.
To exfoliate, mix two cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.
For a refreshing, deep cleansing facial, mix a half teaspoon of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream. Massage on skin, rinse with cool water and pat dry.
Sulfates, one of the major components of Epsom salt, have been shown effective in improving nutrient absorption and toxin elimination. Magnesium, the other major component, has a demonstrated calming effect and plays a role in the activity of more than 325 enzymes. Because both can be absorbed through the skin, many parents report that giving their child a warm bath with 1-2 cups of dissolved Epsom Salt just before bedtime helps extend the child’s sleep cycle and ease digestive function.
For more information visit www.epsomsaltcouncil.org.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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