Does Epsom Salt Really Work?

By Brianna Elliott

Epsom salt is a popular remedy for many ailments.

People use it to ease health problems such as muscle soreness and stress. It’s also affordable, easy to use and harmless when used appropriately.

Epsom salt is a popular remedy for many ailments.Shutterstock

What Is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. It’s a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen.

It gets its name from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, where it was originally discovered.

Despite its name, Epsom salt is actually a completely different compound than table salt. It was most likely termed “salt” because of its chemical structure.

It has an appearance similar to table salt and is often dissolved in baths, which is why you may also know it as “bath salt.”

While it looks similar to table salt, they taste distinctly different. Epsom salt is quite bitter and unpalatable.

Some people still consume it by dissolving the salt in water and drinking it. However, since it doesn’t taste good, you probably wouldn’t want to add it to food.

There are many different ways of manufacturing and packaging Epsom salt, but the contents are all exactly the same, chemically speaking.

For hundreds of years, this salt has been used to treat ailments such as constipation, insomnia and fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, its effects on these ailments are not well researched.

Most of the reported benefits of Epsom salt are attributed to its magnesium, which is a mineral that a lot of people do not get enough of.

You can find Epsom salt at most drug stores and grocery stores. It is typically located in the pharmacy or cosmetic area.

Bottom Line: Epsom salt, otherwise known as bath salt or magnesium sulfate, is a mineral compound believed to have many health benefits.

How Does It Work?

When Epsom salt is introduced to water, it dissolves and releases magnesium and sulfate ions.

The idea is that these particles can be absorbed through the skin, providing the body with magnesium and sulfates. These are minerals that have important functions in the body.

The most common use for Epsom salt is in baths, where it is simply dissolved in bath water. However, it can also be applied to the skin as a cosmetic product or taken by mouth as a laxative.

Bottom Line: Epsom salt dissolves in water, so can be added to baths and used as a cosmetic. It can also be taken by mouth as a laxative.

Reported Health Benefits and Uses of Epsom Salt

Many people, including some healthcare professionals, claim Epsom salt is therapeutic and use it as an alternative treatment for several conditions.

Better Magnesium Absorption

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, the first being calcium.

It is involved in more than 325 biochemical reactions that benefit the heart and nervous system.

Many people do not consume enough magnesium. Even if you do, factors such as dietary phytates and oxalates can interfere with how much your body absorbs (1).

Some people claim that magnesium may be better absorbed via Epsom salt baths than when taken by mouth.

This claim is based on a study that was conducted on 19 subjects, in which all but three showed higher blood magnesium levels after soaking in an Epsom salt bath (2).

Average blood magnesium levels went up about 10 ppm after the first salt bath. When subjects took baths for the next seven days, average magnesium levels increased from 105 ppm to 141 ppm.

While this study is promising, it is important to take it with a grain of salt since it is the only one of its kind and has several limitations.

More research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of using Epsom salt to increase magnesium levels.

Promotes Sleep and Stress Reduction

Adequate magnesium levels are essential for sleep and stress management, likely because magnesium helps the brain produce neurotransmitters that induce sleep and reduce stress (3).

Magnesium may also help the body produce melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep (4).

Low magnesium levels may negatively affect sleep quality and stress. Many report that taking Epsom salt baths can reverse these issues by allowing the body to absorb magnesium through the skin.

Unfortunately, there is not any formal research to confirm whether enough magnesium can be absorbed from salt baths to affect sleep and stress.

Additionally, the calming effects of Epsom salt baths could simply be due to the relaxation caused by taking hot baths.

Helps With Digestion

Magnesium is often used to treat digestive issues, such as constipation.

It appears to be helpful because it draws water into the colon, which promotes bowel movements (5, 6).

Most often, magnesium is taken by mouth for constipation relief in the form of magnesium citrate or magnesium hydroxide.

However, taking Epsom salt is also said to be effective, although it is not well studied. Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration lists it as an approved laxative.

It can be taken by mouth with water, according to the directions on the package.

Adults are usually advised to take 2–6 teaspoons (10–30 ml) of Epsom salt at a time, dissolved in at least 8 ounces (237 ml) of water and consumed immediately. You can expect it to have a laxative effect in 30 minutes to six hours.

You should also know that consuming Epsom salt may produce unpleasant side effects, such as bloating and liquid stool (6).

It should only be used occasionally as a laxative and not as a long-term solution.

Exercise Performance and Recovery

Some claim that taking Epsom salt baths can reduce muscle soreness and relieve cramps—both important factors for exercise performance and recovery.

Like the digestive effects of Epsom salts, this effect is also attributed to magnesium. It is well known that adequate magnesium levels are helpful for exercise because magnesium helps the body use glucose and lactic acid (7).

Magnesium deficiency is more common in athletes, so health professionals often recommended they take magnesium supplements to ensure optimal levels.

While magnesium is clearly important for exercise, the use of Epsom salt to enhance fitness is not well researched. At this point, the benefits are anecdotal.

Reduced Pain and Swelling

Another common claim is that Epsom salt helps reduce pain and swelling.

Many people report that taking Epsom salt baths improves symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis.

Again, the magnesium is deemed responsible for these effects, since many people with fibromyalgia and arthritis are deficient in the mineral.

One study on 15 women with fibromyalgia concluded that applying magnesium chloride to the skin may be beneficial for reducing symptoms (8).

The participants applied magnesium to their lower limbs every day for four weeks. After using the solution, women reported less pain and tenderness, as well as increased quality of life.

While this finding is promising for forms of magnesium that can be applied to the skin, such as Epsom salt, it must be interpreted cautiously since there isn’t any more research available on the topic.

Bottom Line: Most of the benefits of Epsom salt are anecdotal and attributed to its magnesium content. It may be beneficial for sleep, stress, digestion, exercise and pain.

Safety and Side Effects of Epsom Salt

While Epsom salt is generally safe, there are a few negative effects that can occur if you use it incorrectly. This is mostly a concern if you take it by mouth.

First of all, the magnesium sulfate in it can have a laxative effect. Consuming it may result in diarrhea, bloating or upset stomach.

If you use it as a laxative, make sure to drink plenty of water, which may reduce digestive discomfort. Furthermore, never take more than the recommended dosage without consulting your doctor first.

Some cases of magnesium overdose have been reported in which people took too much Epsom salt. Symptoms of this include nausea, headache, lightheadedness and flushed skin (1, 9).

In extreme cases, magnesium overdose can lead to heart problems, coma, paralysis and death. This is unlikely as long as you take it in appropriate amounts as recommended by your doctor or listed on the package (1, 9).

Contact your doctor if you experience signs of an allergic reaction or other serious side effects.

Bottom Line: The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt can produce side effects when taken by mouth. You can prevent these by using it correctly and talking with your doctor before increasing your dosage.

How to Use Epsom Salt

Here are a few of the most common ways to use Epsom salt.

Bath

The most common use is taking what’s called an Epsom salt bath.

To do this, add 2 cups (about 475 ml) of Epsom salt to the water in a standard size bathtub and soak your body for at least 15 minutes.

You can also put the Epsom salt under running water if you want it to dissolve more quickly.

Beauty

Epsom salt may be used as a beauty product for skin and hair. To use it as an exfoliant, just place some in your hand, dampen it and massage it into your skin.

Some people claim it’s a useful addition to facial wash, since it may help cleanse pores.

Just a 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) will do the trick. Simply combine it with your own cleansing cream and massage onto the skin.

It can also be added to conditioner and may help add volume to hair. For this effect, combine equal parts conditioner and Epsom salt. Work the mixture through your hair and leave for 20 minutes, then rinse.

These uses are entirely anecdotal and not backed up by any research studies. Remember that it works differently for everyone and you may not notice all the reported benefits.

As a Laxative

Epsom salt can be taken by mouth as a magnesium supplement or as a laxative.

Most brands recommend taking 2–6 teaspoons (10–30 ml) per day, dissolved in water, as a maximum for adults.

Approximately 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 ml) is generally enough for children.

Consult with your doctor if you need a more individualized dosage, or if you want to increase the dose to more than what is listed on the package.

Unless you have the consent of a doctor, never ingest more than the upper limit of intake stated on the package. Taking more than you need could lead to magnesium sulfate poisoning.

If you want to begin taking Epsom salt by mouth, start slowly. Try consuming 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 ml) at a time and gradually increase the dose as needed.

Remember that everyone’s magnesium needs are different. You may need more or less than the recommended dose, depending on how your body reacts and what exactly you are using it for.

Additionally, when consuming Epsom salt, make sure to use pure Epsom salt that does not have any added scents or coloring.

Bottom Line: Epsom salt can be dissolved in baths and used as a beauty product. It can also be consumed with water as a magnesium supplement or laxative.

Take Home Message

Epsom salt may be helpful in treating a variety of health ailments. It can also be used as a beauty product.

There isn’t a lot of evidence to support all of the reported benefits. Its positive effects are mostly anecdotal at this point, and more research is needed.

However, Epsom salt is generally safe and easy to use, so it’s certainly worth a try.

Reposted with permission from our media associate Authority Nutrition.