Does soaking in Epsom salts help?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter pallidin
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential benefits of soaking in Epsom salts for muscular discomfort, exploring both anecdotal evidence and scientific studies regarding its effectiveness and mechanisms of action.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether Epsom salts actually help with muscular discomfort, suggesting that the heat from a hot bath may be beneficial regardless of the salts.
  • One participant cites a study claiming that magnesium sulfate can be absorbed through the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties, indicating a possible treatment effect.
  • A participant mentions anecdotal evidence from a veterinarian who taught that soaking in Epsom salts is effective for inflammation.
  • Another participant shares a personal account of an uncle who found Epsom salts helpful for soreness after physical labor.
  • There is a suggestion that drinking a magnesium sulfate solution while bathing might be more effective than soaking alone.
  • Some participants discuss other forms of magnesium for muscle soreness, noting potential side effects like diarrhea from excessive consumption.
  • The osmotic properties of magnesium are mentioned, explaining both its laxative effects and its potential role in reducing inflammation when soaking in Epsom salts.
  • Concerns are raised about dehydration due to the osmotic effects of Epsom salts in a bath.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with some supporting the use of Epsom salts based on personal and anecdotal evidence, while others remain skeptical about its effectiveness. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the efficacy of Epsom salts for muscular discomfort.

Contextual Notes

Some claims are based on anecdotal evidence and personal experiences, while others reference scientific studies. The discussion includes various assumptions about the mechanisms of action and effectiveness, which remain unresolved.

pallidin
Messages
2,207
Reaction score
3
Hi everyone.

Just curious if taking a long bath in Empson salts actually helps in, say, muscular discomfort, or is that total bunk? What is the scientific evidence??

Thanks.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Dunno bout the salt, but I'd say a hot bath would help.
 
Drakkith said:
Dunno bout the salt, but I'd say a hot bath would help.

Right. I undertand the hot water...or sauna...etc...
Some have suggested Epsom salts. Just curious if there is actually anything to it.
 
pallidin said:
Hi everyone.

Just curious if taking a long bath in Empson salts actually helps in, say, muscular discomfort, or is that total bunk? What is the scientific evidence??

Thanks.

Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) is has been seen to be absorbed into the body through the skin in this study: http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/Report_on_Absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf

Magnesium sulfate is an anti-inflammatory.

So the fact that soaking in a bath allows it to be absorbed coupled with the fact that it is an anti-inflammatory, seems to indicate that it is indeed a possible treatment.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Norman said:
Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) is has been seen to be absorbed into the body through the skin in this study: http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/Report_on_Absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf

Magnesium sulfate is an anti-inflammatory.

So the fact that soaking in a bath allows it to be absorbed coupled with the fact that it is an anti-inflammatory, seems to indicate that it is indeed a possible treatment.

I asked my niece about epsom salts several years ago - she's a veterinarian. This is just what she said was taught at vet school - that soaking in it is an effective anti-inflammatory.

Interesting point in the study - although blood levels were raised at lower concentrations, the effective level for most people was 600g salts/60 liters (standard bath size), and at that concentration the water felt soapy. I'll keep that in mind next time I need an epsom salt soak.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nice job, Norman.
Thanks so much.
 
My uncle worked in the woods for much of his adult life, cutting pulp-wood, loading his pulp-truck by hand with 4' lengths of wood (no loaders back then), and he always swore by Epsom salts when he he was sore or lame.
 
lisab said:
I asked my niece about epsom salts several years ago - she's a veterinarian. This is just what she said was taught at vet school - that soaking in it is an effective anti-inflammatory.

Interesting point in the study - although blood levels were raised at lower concentrations, the effective level for most people was 600g salts/60 liters (standard bath size), and at that concentration the water felt soapy. I'll keep that in mind next time I need an epsom salt soak.

Great point to keep in mind... thank you.
 
turbo-1 said:
My uncle worked in the woods for much of his adult life, cutting pulp-wood, loading his pulp-truck by hand with 4' lengths of wood (no loaders back then), and he always swore by Epsom salts when he he was sore or lame.

Great testament!
 
  • #10
Wouldn't it be more effective to drink a magnesium sulfate solution while taking a hot bath?
 
  • #11
There are other types of magnesium (ex/ magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate) that you can also ingest for relieving muscle soreness (with more affinity to the muscles), but the biggest side effect of excessive magnesium consumption is DIARRHEA because you're causing your smooth muscles to relax as well (your GI tract). Cost of each derivative may also be an issue.

For relieving muscle soreness/tightness, an epsom salt bath with 600g is pretty ideal. Just make sure that you also drink a good amount of water while you're in there (or before/after) to prevent any risk of dehydration (the excess salt water bath will attract water from your body via osmosis).
 
  • #12
Magnesium is an 'osmotic sink'- it attracts water. This is why laxatives (milk of magnesia) are based on magnesium, and also explains the anti-inflammatory mechanism of soaking in a bath of epsom salts. Epsom salts are an effective laxative as well.
 
  • #13
Andy Resnick said:
Epsom salts are an effective laxative as well.
VERY effective! And quite painful, if the dose is a little too strong.

The osmotic effect was noticed a long time ago (though it was called "healing" effect), and there was a nice industry produced when people figured out that you could boil down the waters from Epsom's wells, and concentrate the minerals to feed spas/baths.
 
  • #14
Andy Resnick said:
Magnesium is an 'osmotic sink'- it attracts water. This is why laxatives (milk of magnesia) are based on magnesium, and also explains the anti-inflammatory mechanism of soaking in a bath of epsom salts. Epsom salts are an effective laxative as well.

the anti-inflammatory mechanism may be a little more involved.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16712775
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20513641

increased Mg is also one of the aspects of DASH diet that is believed to help with hypertension, in addition to lower Na and higher K.
 

Similar threads

Does Radiation from X-Rays/CT Stay in Body Forever (Risks)?
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
11K
Medical Where does the secretion of enzyme helicase take place?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Can Medical Tests Determine My Body Energy and Motivation Levels?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Medical Which home BP monitors take the pressures on the way up?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Medical What exactly is the difference between crystalloids and colloids?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
24K
Medical Another Red Meat Consumption Study
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Medical Where can I find comprehensive resources for self-learning about cancer?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Understanding SARS-Cov-2, Effects of Covid-19 and the Future
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Is the Salt Crystal Lamp Really Effective as an Air Purifier?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
10K
Medical Pain Medication for Chronic Pain
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K