Integrative medication is a department of healthcare that focuses on treating each the thoughts and physique and exploring how they’re carefully related. A few of the remedies and practices utilized by integrative medication’s holistic strategy embody acupuncture, hypnotherapy and reiki.

One other instrument that integrative medical specialists typically suggest for its bodily and psychological well being advantages is Epsom salt. Whereas no scientific trials have confirmed the advantages of Epsom salt, many healthcare suppliers advertise for its ease of use, affordable value and minimally invasive supply. To study extra, we flip to integrative medication specialist Naoki Umeda, MD.

What’s Epsom salt?

Epsom salt is one in all many naturally occurring mineral salts, a compound of magnesium and sulfate in rock-like formations. The identify “Epsom salt” is a nod to the city of Epsom, situated a stone’s throw away from London in England, the place the salt was supposedly found about 400 years in the past.

Whereas it resembles desk salt, it has a really bitter style and isn’t actually meant to be consumed. Most customers dissolve it in a heat bathtub for a soak with the hope of relieving stress or sore muscle mass.

How will you use Epsom salt?

The thought is that if you pour Epsom salt into heat water, it dissolves the magnesium and sulfate and permits it to be absorbed into your physique by way of your pores and skin. Centuries of person testimonials declare fantastic advantages from utilizing Epsom salt this fashion.

Scientific analysis, nevertheless, isn’t fairly as vocal in its help. There aren’t any definitive research exhibiting that magnesium will be absorbed by way of your pores and skin in adequate quantities to handle potential deficiencies of the mineral. And what analysis has been finished provides skepticism.

Nonetheless, integrative medical consultants generally suggest Epsom salt to individuals with muscle ache and psychological stress. If you wish to attempt it for your self, the method is fairly easy and light-weight in danger.

• Pour about 300 grams (1.25 cups) of Epsom salt right into a clear bathtub because it fills with scorching water. (Keep away from utilizing Epsom salt in a bath with jets, a scorching tub or a whirlpool bathtub except the producer says it’s OK.)
• As soon as the tub is drawn, check the water for its warmth degree and regulate as wanted. You don’t wish to scald your self.
• Slowly ease your self into the bathtub and chill out. A 15-minute soak must be sufficient.

When buying Epsom salt, look to purchase a product that’s 100% magnesium sulfate.

The advantages of an Epsom salt bathtub

Regardless of the dearth of obtainable scientific knowledge, tales concerning the therapeutic energy of Epsom salt have been circulating for hundreds of years, says Dr. Umeda. Customers usually dissolve Epsom salt in bathtub water to launch magnesium and sulfate ions and reap the advantages.

Stress reduction

Whereas some consultants recommend that stress reduction comes from the nice and cozy bathtub itself, others imagine Epsom salt helps stabilize temper and relieve stress, anxiousness and despair. The truth is, some declare that taking magnesium will increase serotonin (happiness or rest hormone) manufacturing in your mind.

Muscle ache

Epsom salt is used to chill out muscle mass and relieve ache within the shoulders, neck, again and cranium. For instance, by stress-free the muscle mass surrounding your cranium, the magnesium in Epsom salt could assist launch a headache or migraine. This profit may assist sore muscle mass within the restoration interval after a exercise.

Irritation

Some consultants additionally suppose that magnesium is sweet for decreasing irritation in inner organs. This will assist scale back the danger of heart problems and enhance digestion/bowel motion.

Negative effects of an Epsom salt bathtub

Typically, there aren’t any — however there are some situations the place warning is suggested, says Dr. Umeda. Epsom salt baths aren’t really helpful for individuals with:

• Extreme pores and skin irritation.
• Pores and skin infections.
• Open wounds.
• Extreme burns.

Moreover, ingesting Epsom salt — as some on-line “detox” plans tout — may cause severe unwanted side effects corresponding to extreme diarrhea, cautions Dr. Umeda. There aren’t any research proving that taking Epsom salt orally is secure or useful. Taking it orally can result in sudden and dramatic modifications in bowel habits; this, in flip, will be very harmful and trigger dehydration and discomfort.

In case you’re inquisitive about Epsom salt baths or have any issues, test along with your healthcare supplier earlier than utilizing Epsom salts.