Whether you come from a family of naturopaths, a long line of medical school grads, or you were regularly instructed to just “walk it off,” you probably noticed a bag of Epsom salts stashed in the medicine cabinet growing up. They may have been pulled out for the occasional foot soak, but the home remedy superstar probably didn’t get the type of regular use it deserves.
There’s a reason mom always kept a salt supply handy – everyone from the high school track coach to the World Health Organization recommends Epsom salt as a safe solution to a wide range of mild to moderate ailments. Anyone with experience in organized sports can attest to the healing benefits of adding a few cups of Epsom salt to their post-workout bath.
But what happens when we add 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt? At True REST, we harness a wide range of health benefits by utilizing a 30% salt solution in each soak.
First, let’s talk about what it is: Epsom salt is the commonly used term for magnesium sulfate. Separately, each of these minerals is involved in key functions to maintain basic health. Magnesium helps to regulate hundreds of enzymatic systems, including blood glucose balance and blood pressure control. It is also one of the ions involved in the nerve impulse processes that manage muscle movement and normal heart rhythm.
Within the body, sulfates primarily function as a conduit to build proteins in our joints, brain tissues, and muscles. Sulfates also work as a detox powerhouse, helping to flush toxins and carry them out of the body.
When working together, magnesium sulfate maintain the basics: blood pressure, breathing, and hearth rhythm. While we may go about our daily lives without consciously considering these processes, any flaw in these systems is an obvious factor in a variety of major medical concerns. At the very least, the discomfort associated with a blood pressure or breathing abnormality, even when very minor, can cause enough distraction to derail an entire day.
Supplements ensure we sustain the mineral intake we need to support overall health; but when we float, our body’s largest organ does the heavy lifting for us. Both of the minerals found in Epsom salts are easily absorbed through our skin for utilization by all of our major health systems. Researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK have shown that regular skin exposure to Epsom salts improves the mineral content in the blood stream within just a few hours. The trick? The researchers found that large-scale saturation of the skin produced optimum results – meaning you should go ahead and soak it in.
In addition to moderating mineral levels, floating in magnesium sulfate has the added benefit of decreasing inflammation and drawing out impurities from the body. Even patients with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia report a significant improvement in pain management with a regular floating practice. Your daily magnesium supplement can’t do that!
If you’re wondering if there are any dangers associated with such a high content of Epsom salts, rest easy. Due to its natural detoxification properties, the body will absorb what it needs from the float session and dispose of any excess. Researchers agree that floating regularly is a safe and effective way to maintain the magnesium and sulfate levels necessary for optimal health. Schedule consistent floating sessions to relieve pain and breathe easy.