Have you somehow found yourself gaining more weight than you bargained for?
Have you tried removing that excess fat over time? You would agree with me that achieving weight loss is not a walk in the park. Hey, it is not impossible either. People do it all the time. Have you tried using Epsom salt to reduce weight?
Let us walk you through the use of Epsom salt bath for weight loss.
Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulfate which is a colorless crystal that serves as a home remedy for a lot of issues including weight loss and skin diseases. It is not salt as you know it, so, the magnesium and sulfate content make it a powerful ally for weight loss.
Epsom salt derived its name from the location where it was first discovered – Epsom, England. And for decades, it has been purported to help achieve weight loss when the body absorbs magnesium and sulfate. We suggest that you use an Epsom salt bath in addition to eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. The use of Epsom salt alone may not have a great impact on your weight management.
So How Epsom Salt Help You Shed Some Weight?
According to research by Rosemary Waring, a biochemist at the University of Birmingham, when one soaks in an Epsom salt bath, the body absorbs the magnesium and sulfate in the salt. When that happens, there is a significant increase in the quantity of these minerals in the body.
When your body absorbs magnesium during the Epsom salt bath, the magnesium can help your body shed some weight by –
- Helping your body detox
- Boosting intake of nutrients
- Warding off constipation
- Enhancing your body’s intake of micronutrients
- Improving cardiac circulation
- Better insulin use
- Improving your mood thereby reducing emotional eating
The sulfate in Epsom salt also works to help you lose weight because it –
- Helps improve detoxification in the pancreas
- Enhances digestive tract role
- Improves muscle protein
In addition, Epsom salt bath is known to help with –
- Improving the quality of sleep
- Promoting blood circulation
- Relaxation
- Boosting nutrient absorption
- Preventing obesity
How to Prepare an Epsom Salt Bath
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath is relaxing and rejuvenating. You would be doing your general health a world of good by indulging in the bath.
To prepare your Epsom salt bath, you need warm water and your Epsom salt.
Scoop about 2 cups of the salt into your warm bathtub water.
Be mindful of the quantity of salt you add as the quantity does not determine the efficacy. Make sure to pour the salt beneath the water spout as the water is gushing out. By so doing, the water and the salt will mix thoroughly. If the mixture feels soapy, then you know it has mixed properly.
Then soak yourself inside the water-Epsom salt mixture in the tub for at least 15 minutes for starters. You can increase the period over time to about 30 minutes if your body is up to it.
You may get thirsty during your bath. Therefore, remember to keep a bottle of drinking water close by. Drinking water during and after your Epsom salt bath will also help with the detoxification process.
Other Methods of Preparing Epsom Salt Bath
Aside from the basic method of mixing just the salt and warm water, there are other ways to prepare an Epsom salt bath for higher potency in achieving weight loss. Let us look at some of them.
Apple Cider Vinegar with Epsom Salt
You know some of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, yea? One of the health benefits is that it helps in detoxification. The addition of apple cider vinegar to your Epsom salt bath will amplify its efficacy in helping with weight loss. Apple cider vinegar also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which will also help with relieving pain, stress, and cleansing.
When preparing the mixture, add one part of apple cider vinegar to two parts of Epsom salt in your normal bathtub of warm water. Then luxuriate in the bath for about twenty minutes.
Ginger and Epsom salt
If your weight gain is due to the accumulation of toxins in your system, then you should include ginger in your Epsom salt bath. Ginger is often used for the opening of pores. This makes it a great choice for the removal of toxins in the body. When you are immersed in the warm Epsom salt bath mixed with ginger, your pores open more so toxins will easily exit through sweat.
To use this easy and healthy method for weight loss, mix 2 tablespoons of powdered ginger with 2 cups of Epsom salt. Then pour into your warm bathtub filled with warm water. Soak yourself in the mixture for about half an hour or less.
Essential Oils and Epsom Salt
Essential oils like jojoba, lavender, eucalyptus, and others go well with Epsom salt to rejuvenate your body and help with weight loss. Adding a few drops of the essential oils to your Epsom salt bath will help with detoxification. For better results, you can mix the essential oils with carrier oils such as almond or coconut oil. Then add the mixture to your warm, Epsom salt bath water and enjoy the soothing bath.
How often Should you take your Epsom Salt Bath?
Epsom salt bath should not be taken as frequently as your normal bath. You don’t want to risk having excess magnesium or sulfate in your system.
You should take Epsom salt baths the way you go for massage or pedicure/manicure. It should be a treat rather than a regular routine.
However, people living with diabetes or kidney diseases should not use Epsom salt bath, likewise pregnant women, except with a doctor’s permission.
Final word
There is still an ongoing debate as to the potency of Epsom salt for weight loss. However, it is still a recommended method for weight management based on the benefits of have mentioned earlier. All you need is to give it a try and use it along with your other weight loss routines.
