Epsom Salts

[~Wingnut~]

Hi,
I have been reading about the benefits of bathing in epsom salts so have been out and bought a tub! It says on the label to relieve mild constipation so am I right in assuming when it says further on about prolonged use should be avoided, it means digesting it and that I am ok to have a bath a couple of times a week in it for the rest of my life if I so wish?

Also my husband is a renal transplant patient and it says get advice from doctor if you have any kidney problems. He usually dives in to the bath after me (saves water!) he said he would be ok to carry on if I use epsom salts but whats the risk if he does have a bath in it? I know it means if he wants to drink it for constipation, but is there a risk for him to bathe in it?

Many thanx :)

[Sqad]

LOL.....no....no......perfectly safe for your husband and you to bath in Epsom Salts as they are not absorbed through the skin.

However, certain studies have shown that magnesium MAY be absorbed through the skin, but in my opinion, bathing 2 or 3 times a week in a bath containing a cup and a half of Epsom Salts for half an hour should do no harm at all.

I honestly cannot see the health benefits to Epsom Salt baths.

[gingejbee]

I'd love to know how bathing in a very dilute solution of magnesium sulphate is beneficial. I understand how it works as a laxative, but bathing in it....no. Any benefit comes from the heat of the water IMO.

[~Wingnut~]

Thanx Sqad glad I made you giggle ;)

I've read it helps aches and pains after running and exercise. I am about to get back to work and running again after 6 months of no work or exercising (except walking) due to having 3 slipped discs and then microdisectomy on one of them, I thought it will help me along the way and less likely to give up when the going gets tough lol

Also I am looking into more natural products and stopping using so many chemicals when it comes to hair and body products. Its suppose to be a good body scrub! I also read it draws toxins from your skin too.

If you have the time to reply I'm interested to read what you think of that Sqad. Have I been taken in? No benefits at all? Except if your constipated?

[Sqad]

Wingnut......I am not an expert on these clinical trials associated with the health benefits of magnesium or indeed any other types of "alternative therapy".............LazyGun is your man.

However might i say that there have been scientific studies from indeed, prestigious University departments which show that bathing in Epsom Salts may have a beneficial effects on muscle pain due to the slow but demonstrable absorption of magnesium through the skin. As for other benefits of magnesium,on other parts of the body, I am extremely sceptical.

[~Wingnut~]

Thanx for your reply Sqad :)
I'll give it a whirl, got nothing to lose (except £1.25 that the tub cost me) and if the scrub works I'll have softer skin at the very least :)

[Sqad]

;-)

[Clanad]

Hiding and watching on some of these theads can be very informative and entertaining. Here's me, a Colonist, trying to plumb the vagaries of the English language and reading that, after deciding to try Epsom Salts as a bath, the poster (wingnut) went out and bought a tub! My (incorrect) assumption being that the poster only had a shower and had to purchase a bath tub of some sort. After following the exchange with Sqad, wingnut stated the tub only cost 1.5 (pounds)... suddenly the sunshine shone... a tub[i of Epsom Salts!

Slowly... slowly... I've just gotten use to [i]hob] as a stove and/or oven, for goodness sakes...

[heathfield]

Epsom Salts acts as a degreaser, and is used by some to degrease oily hair. By soaking in the bath, it will get rid of all that greasy sweat you've accumulated.

[~Wingnut~]

Lol Sorry for confusing you Clanad! I bet you thought I was a right dafty going and buying a bathtub just so I could soak in epsom salt! :)

Thanx heathfield! Another plus for adding it to my bath! :)