Discover the power of salt!
While your physician might warn you about the salt in your diet, one thing almost any doctor will agree on is that bathing in salt water is not only harmless, but is actually beneficial to health and wellbeing. This shouldn’t be news, as we’ve been bathing in salt water for thousands of years. In fact, ancient texts reveal that ancient King David, Cleopatra, and the Queen of Sheba all took part in bathing in salt, particularly in the extremely saline Dead Sea. Fast forward to today, and the Dead Sea still attracts people from far and wide, and hotels and spas have opened up on its banks so that visitors can all enjoy the effects of the natural salt.
So, what’s so special about salt? First, it’s important to note that when it comes to salt bathing (or showering with salt using Magneflow) we’re usually referring to either Epsom salts, or natural sea salt such as Dead Sea salt. It’s important to understand the difference between the two.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt isn’t salt like the kind you find on potato chips. In fact, it isn’t really a salt, but a crystal made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It’s chemical makeup is different than sea salt, but the crystals make it look and feel similar. Magnesium is essential for the body, and anecdotal evidence suggests that bathing in magnesium (Epsom salt) can help support the body’s need for this essential mineral. Magnesium is critical for helping the body use lactic acid, which is why it is often recommended that athletes soak in Epsom salt to relieve tired muscles.
Benefits of showering in Epsom salt
Relax sore muscles
Athletes, nurses, restaurant workers, and just about anyone with tired muscles at the end of the day can greatly benefit from Epsom salt. Many wellness practitioners suggest that the magnesium in Epsom salt helps soothe sore muscles. In combination with a warm shower or bath, Epsom salts often provide some much needed relief.
Sooth tennis elbow and other joint pain
In the same way it helps muscles, Epsom salt can also offer some relief to tennis elbow sufferers as well as people with arthritis pain.
Promote relaxation and better sleep
Warm water in combination with Epsom salt is a great recipe to help people with insomnia get a better sleep. In fact, some studies even provide evidence that magnesium can help people get a better night’s sleep. It’s not well understood how much of this critical mineral is absorbed by the skin during an Epsom salt bath or shower, however many swear by the relaxing effect of an Epsom salt bath at bedtime.
Sea salt
Unlike Epsom salt, Sea salt such as Dead Sea salt is totally edible. Sea salt is made up of sodium chloride, however depending on the kind, there can be other minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc. While Epsom salt is usually used to relax and treat aches and pains, sea salt is normally associated with treating hair, scalp, and skin conditions.
Benefits of showering with sea salt
Treat a sore throat
Your mother wasn’t peddling an old wive’s tale when she used to tell you to gargle with salt water. Salt water is a recommended way to soothe the pain and irritation of a sore throat. The salt creates a barrier in the soft tissues of the throat, as well as draws more water to the area. Of course, if a sore throat persists, you might need to see a doctor.
Soothe sunburns and other irritations
If you’ve ever gotten a sunburn during a tropical vacation, you might have noticed that swimming in the ocean helps to relieve the pain. This isn’t just due to the cool water, but to the soothing effects of the salt. If you have a burn of any kind, avoid any perfumed creams or soaps, and stick to showering in cool water.
Reduce irritation from psoriasis and eczema
People suffering from psoriasis and eczema often seek relief by bathing in the Dead Sea in Israel or in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland due to the healing properties of minerals. Mineral-rich sea salt diffused through Magneflow or dissolved in a bathtub can help dry, itchy skin and reduce inflammation.
Treat Athlete’s Foot
Due to excellent antifungal and antibacterial properties, sea salt dissolved into water is a great home remedy for Athlete's Foot. While it may not totally cure the condition, it can reduce the itch as well as prevent the spread of the infection. Some DIY Athlete's Foot treatments will call for a mixture of sea salt, vinegar, and warm water.
The benefits of Epsom salt and sea salt are numerous. A single Internet search will bring up dozens of ways salt bathing can become a beneficial part of your daily wellness routine. One of the most important things to note about bathing or showering in salt water is that it is natural and beneficial. So many products on the market contain parabens and other harmful ingredients that can potentially do a lot more harm than good. For minor, non-life threatening health concerns, natural remedies are almost always a great place to start the healing process. Alongside a super healthy diet and active lifestyle, using natural products such as salts and essential oils for bathing can make a world of difference to our health and wellbeing!
