Your grandma (and perhaps your grandpa, too) recommended it and it’s easy to understand why: Epsom Salt is a cheap, mineral-rich compound that has been favored over time for a variety of reasons. If your feet could use some TLC and pricey foot bath compounds cost more than your last pedicure, we offer you six reasons you can rely upon this grand old mix of magnesium and sulfate to pamper and even heal your feet.
1. Epsom Salt is regularly used by men, women, and especially athletes to relieve aches, pains and decrease inflammation. You don’t have to be a marathon runner to crave relief. Specifically, if you’re suffering from sore muscles and joint pain caused by arthritis or other bone-related ailments, soaking your feet in Epsom Salt could offer you lots of benefits and relief. You might also try an Epsom Salt foot bath to decrease swelling triggered by a foot injury.
2. Epsom Salt foot baths are recommended for use by people suffering from a variety of skin disorders. Hot water and this mix of minerals may be the solution you seek for foot conditions that include athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, both of which can make life miserable and uncomfortable. Because Epsom Salt products are said to have anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties, skin infections that result from debilitating assaults on the feet could benefit from long soaks.
3. Epsom Salt foot baths may help to improve circulation. The combination of warm water and the mineral’s crystals can start the process of pushing blood through arteries and veins that may relieve stress almost immediately. Plagued by foot cramps? Plenty of Epsom Salt fans swear by this mineral to combat searing pain (especially in the middle of the night!) that may indicate that your body is suffering from a magnesium deficiency. By treating your feet to Epsom Salt baths, your skin can absorb these essential minerals to mediate foot cramps day or night.
4. An Epsom Salt foot bath gives you an opportunity to clean, sanitize, and pamper your feet more thoroughly than your shower or tub bath. Minerals, in concert with the soak, can clean your feet thoroughly enough to remove germs and substances not seen with the naked eye. The combination of salt, water, and soaking sanitizes feet because bacteria can’t thrive in salty environments, so these footbaths can help inhibit the growth of nasty microorganisms.
5. Epsom Salt makes an awesome beauty treatment because it does everything from pampering your skin to soften calluses and loosen dirt that gets beneath nail beds. It’s so inexpensive, you can soak your feet as often as you like and if you add essential oils to your foot bath, your feet will feel just as they do after you’ve enjoyed a pricey pedicure. That stated, if your skin tends to be dry, make sure you lavish your feet with a rich cream after every soak.
FAQs
Epsom salt foot soaks are often used to relieve swollen, tired feet and athlete's foot. They also help reduce odor, remove splinters, and soften rough skin.
What are the benefits of soaking your feet in Epsom salt? ›
Epsom salt foot soaks are often used to relieve swollen, tired feet and athlete's foot. They also help reduce odor, remove splinters, and soften rough skin.
Who should not soak in Epsom salt? ›
Epsom salt baths aren't recommended for people with:
- Severe skin inflammation.
- Skin infections.
- Open wounds.
- Severe burns.
A foot soak with hot water may be enough to soothe tired, aching feet. Some also believe adding Epsom bath salt can help with muscle aches. Epsom salts contain magnesium, and a magnesium deficiency can lead to muscle cramps.
How do Epsom salts draw out an infection? ›
Epsom salts works on drawing out abscesses by a process called osmosis. Osmosis is the transport of water-soluble material through a semipermeable membrane from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration. Epsom salts work by the imbalance in water concentration.
What draws toxins out of feet? ›
Foot detox recipes
- Epsom salt foot soak. Add 1 cup of Epsom salts to a footbath containing warm water to make this foot soak. ...
- Apple cider vinegar soak. Some people drink apple cider vinegar to encourage detoxification. ...
- Baking soda and sea salt soak. ...
- Bentonite clay foot mask. ...
- Olive oil foot scrub.
Soaking your feet and toes in a bath containing Epsom salts can help dry out fungal infections by killing fungal spores. Add 1–2 cups of Epsom salt to a footbath of warm water and soak for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to 2 cups of water and soak a cotton ball in it.
Does Epsom salt pull toxins out of your body? ›
Epsom salt contains magnesium and may help the body get rid of toxins responsible for exacerbating inflammation while also reducing swelling, stiffness, and pain.
What are the negative effects of Epsom salt? ›
If a person drinks Epsom salt, they may experience the following side effects: dizziness or fainting. upset stomach. diarrhea.
What happens if you soak your feet in Epsom salt for too long? ›
For most people, an Epsom bath foot soak is safe. But there are a few instances when it is best to talk to a healthcare provider before using. For example, people that have very dry skin should avoid overdoing foot soaks because the salt can dry out the skin leaving the feet more prone to cracks.
Some people believe a foot detox can help pull toxins from your body. But research hasn't shown this. Still, soaking the feet may provide some benefits.
What do podiatrists use to soak feet? ›
There's plenty out there for what people recommend putting in a soak, so let's start off with the basics. Epsom salts are the classic staple of a foot soak, aid to help with everything from arthritis to plain old swollen feet.
What is the best foot soak for neuropathy? ›
What is the best foot soak for neuropathy? The simplest foot soak is done by placing warm water in a tub with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt. This can relax your foot muscles, improve circulation, and decrease nerve pain.
Will Epsom salt pull out an infection? ›
1. Treating fungal infection. Epsom salt has been used to treat wounds and infections, but caution is recommended because it could also irritate the wound. While it doesn't cure the infection, Epsom salt can be used to draw out the infection and soften the skin to help boost medication effects.
Does Epsom salt pull out bacteria? ›
Studies have shown that Epsom salt can be effective against a variety of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria can cause a range of infections, including skin infections, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections.
Will Epsom salt draw out pus? ›
Epsom salt
The salt can help to reduce inflammation and dry out the pus, helping to resolve the boil.
Does soaking feet in Epsom salt draw out toxins? ›
While some advocates claim that an Epsom salt foot soak removes toxins from the body, there is no strong evidence to confirm this. However, the absorption of the magnesium through the skin may boost the levels of the mineral in the body and decrease inflammation.
How long should you soak feet in Epsom salt? ›
Fill your bathtub or a basin with warm water until it's deep enough to cover your feet. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to the warm water. Soak your feet for 30 to 60 minutes twice a week. For an aromatherapy boost, consider adding a few drops of diluted lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus essential oil to your foot bath.
Do you have to rinse off after an Epsom salt bath? ›
After an epsom salt bath, rinsing removes drying residue for those with sensitive skin, but some theorize it may limit magnesium absorption and relaxation benefits. You can skip rinsing if your skin tolerates it and you prioritize those potential perks.
Does soaking feet in Epsom salt lower blood pressure? ›
Did you know that the magnesium found in Epsom salts can lead to reduced blood pressure and a slowed heart rate? If you suffer from high blood pressure, soaking in healing Epsom salts may be helpful in lowering your blood pressure and even in improving your heart health.
