Bath salt has become a very popular addition to many bath salts, spas, and health and wellness centers in North America. Bath salts, also known as Dead Sea salt or salts, are a mineral mixture that has been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations from around the world realized the healing qualities of salt. Many of the world’s best healers used bath salt as part of their regimen. This mineral is derived from Dead Sea salt deposits in Israel and Jordan.
It’s no wonder that when one thinks about Dead Sea salt and its effects on health and wellness, many people begin to think of floating in a crystal salt spa pool. However, one must not be mistaken by this image. In reality, bath salts do more than just make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. They also help to relieve congestion, improve body circulation, increase energy, and treat a variety of symptoms including high blood pressure, headaches, asthma, arthritis, chronic fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety, constipation, and fatigue. Furthermore, using bath salts can actually prevent or reduce the effects of a number of common medical conditions including:
– Headaches and itchy skin – For those of you who suffer from constant headaches and itchy skin, you may find relief after applying bath salts to your scalp. Salt bath soaps or Dead Sea salt bath soaps are beneficial in relieving pain and itching because they soothe the skin and release toxins that the body is trying to expel through the pores. Furthermore, salt bath products often contain tea tree oil or lavender oil, which provide additional relief from headaches and itchy skin. If you are experiencing an intense case of these problems, make sure to dilute the bath salt or Dead Sea salt before applying to your skin.
– Case reports – There are case reports of bath salt and its ingredients being used in the treatment of a range of health conditions including: ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sinusitis, and acne. In a case report published by the Journal of Neurochemistry, a clinical psychologist reported that his patients treated with bath salt or Dead Sea salt had significantly fewer behavioral problems than those treated with psychotropic medications. He stated that the combination of the two had provided complete symptom relief for his ADHD patients. In addition, there have been case reports concerning itchy skin and constipation. Many of these cases involved individuals with IBS.
– Electrolysis studies – Although most salts contain magnesium, some brands of bath salts may not. Because of this, you may want to supplement your salt intake with magnesium to obtain the health benefits from it. Common ingredients found in products that do not contain magnesium include: sodium bentonite, magnesium sulfate, aluminum chloride, zinc chloride, and magnesium carbonate. While the lack of magnesium in these products may make them ineffective in providing health benefits, many people still use them. The effects of magnesium may be different in different individuals.
– Electrolysis studies – Not all bath salts or mineral waters contain magnesium sulfate. Some brands of mineral waters, such as Dead Sea salt and Epsom salt, are commonly used because they do not contain sulfates. This makes them effective for treating many other health conditions. However, if you have ever suffered from eczema, you should avoid using bath salts and mineral waters together. This is because using bath salts may irritate your eczema, making it worse.
If you are experiencing any of these conditions, please consult your doctor before trying a magnesium supplement. Your physician can best advise you on the correct amount of magnesium that you should take in order to treat your condition. If you are taking prescription medications, please consult with your pharmacist regarding the effects of epsom salt and other substances on your prescription medications. Also, please consult with your doctor before using any herbal bath salt or other homeopathic remedies for treating conditions, as these may interact with your medications. Always keep in mind that no single remedy will work for every person, so be willing to try many different remedies until you find one that works for you.
There are no known serious side effects of ingesting epsom salt, although people who have low blood pressure or heart disease should exercise caution when using this salt. It is extremely unlikely that an overdose of any salt product would result in death. The exception would be if someone was under the influence of drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines, which may cause hyper magnesium in the body. In this instance, emergency treatment should be sought. Please contact your local poison control center if you think you have ingested any toxic bath salt.