Epsom salts or magnesium sulphate is a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulphur, and oxygen. It has many reported health benefits, mostly due to it’s magnesium content, but they are not well researched. It is most commonly dissolved in bath water, where it is believed that the magnesium is absorbed into the skin, although there is no scientific evidence of this.
One of the most significant benefits of magnesium is improved sleep and stress management. Magnesium assists the brain in the production of neurotransmitters which help with the reduction of stress and improve sleep. Low magnesium levels may certainly have a negative effect on sleep. For people who are suffering significantly with such problems, it would be advisable to take a high quality magnesium supplement. Although there may be some therapeutic benefit derived from the magnesium content of Epsom salts, it is yet unproven. However adding them to a bath before bedtime is almost certainly going to have benefit in terms of good sleep hygiene and relaxation.
There is a wealth of evidence which demonstrates that good levels of magnesium are necessary for serious exercise regimes, yet another good reason to take a good quality supplement.
There is no doubt that relaxing in a hot bath after exercise helps sooth aching muscles and prevent stiffness, but again there is no evidence that this is significantly assisted by adding magnesium to the bath via Epsom salts.
Although there is no real evidence that Epsom salts in themselves have health benefits, most people find them an incredibly beneficial addition to a bath at the end of the day. Especially when scented they can be a lovely part of the evening routine. In our shop we stock Epsom salts fragranced with Rose, Lavender and Lemongrass to suit different moods.
