Health Benefits of Salt Baths

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Health Benefits of Salt Baths

Most people are deficient in Magnesium… in fact, you probably are too.

Magnesium is the second most abundant element in our bodies, and is used in regulating over 300 enzymes and reactions in the body.

I’ve written before about how the depleted magnesium levels in our food and water, and the imbalance of nutrients in the foods that we eat have left most of us dangerously deficient in magnesium.

Most of us also have too much calcium in our bodies, relative to our magnesium levels (thanks to fortified foods and imbalanced soils).

Many forms of magnesium are difficult to absorb when taken orally, especially for those with a damaged gut (that is most of us too).

Here is where Magnesium Salt Baths and Transdermal Magnesium Oil can make a big difference…

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and as such, has an amazing ability to absorb, filter toxins, and deliver nutrients to the body. It is also a visible sign of the health of the body as a whole.

When the skin has rashes, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, acne, or other problems, this is often a sign of deeper issues within the body. As the skin is also an elimination organ, the body will push out toxins through the skin when the other organs of elimination (gut, liver, kidneys, etc.) are taxed or burdened.

A damaged gut can also make absorbing magnesium and other minerals through the digestive system more difficult, so topical magnesium oil or magnesium baths are a great solution.

Magnesium Salt Baths are Great for the Following:

  • Stress relief
  • Muscle aches
  • Increasing insulin sensitivity
  • Improving circulation
  • Better nutrient absorption
  • Headache relief
  • Speeding up wound healing
  • During illness, especially respiratory illness
  • For children to help mineral absorption and improve sleep
  • For acne, eczema or other skin problems
  • For joint pain relief
  • To help relieve poison ivy or skin reactions
  • Improving skin hydration

How to Incorporate Magnesium/Salt Baths

I regularly add a cup of epsom salts or magnesium flakes and a few tablespoons of Himalayan salt to my kids baths. When I have the time, I take relaxing baths in this mixture also.

When I can’t take the time for a bath, magnesium oil also helps. Amazingly, I notice the benefits of transdermal magnesium (baths or magnesium oil) much more quickly than when I take internal forms of magnesium.

My Favorite Magnesium Salt Bath Recipe

I mix the salt and magnesium flakes and then sprinkle with the vanilla and essential oil. The whole mixture gets added to a warm bath, and I soak for at least 20 minutes, though 30 is preferable.I try to make time for this at least once a week, though my kids get it added to their bath each night.

For intensive therapy (illness, eczema, etc.) these baths can be done daily, though you should check with a doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Do you ever add magnesium to your bath? Will you try it? Share below!

Magnesium salt baths are wonderful for the skin and can help boost the body's nutrient levels while relaxing.

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

123 responses to “Health Benefits of Salt Baths”

  1. Alicia Avatar

    I’m pretty sure my son is dealing with a severe histamine intolerance. We’re following a low histamine, corn free, dairy free diet. I’ve tried magnesium baths to get him the magnesium he needs. Even in small amounts he breaks out in a rash on his neck, chest and back. Do you think that could be detox or allergic reaction?

    1. Katie Wells Avatar

      I had a similar reaction to magnesium for a really long time. I had to introduce incredible slowly and focus on gut health. I use Mag SRT and started in very small doses and worked up.

  2. Keri lussier Avatar
    Keri lussier

    I just recently awitchws to magnesium flakes from Epsom salts …. What a difference!!! My aches and pains are practically gone!! My mood is improving the more consistently I soak… AMAZING

  3. Magnolia Hampton Avatar
    Magnolia Hampton

    Hi,
    Read serval of your articles and learned so much. Thank you. You’re the best. Could you tell me if you have any advice on anxiety disorder, or h pylori?

  4. Denise Avatar

    Hi, I made this and it was really awesome! I had some left over and stored it for future use. When I went back to use it, I found that there was liquid in the jar. Do you know what could have caused that?

  5. Giulia Baldini Avatar
    Giulia Baldini

    I don’t think, “Magnesium is the second most abundant element in our bodies,” is an accurate statement.

  6. Vanessa Avatar
    Vanessa

    Love It! I have CKD, and do this bath treatment every 3 days. My body doesn’t ache waking up every day anymore, thank you

  7. MacKenzie Avatar
    MacKenzie

    Hello Katie!

    I have a quick question. Is there a different between Epsom salts and straight magnesium? I realize that Epsom salts have magnesium in them too, but I was just wondering if they are the same thing? I also am wanting to make some magnesium oil so if they are the same…I didn’t know if I could make it with Epsom salts?

    Thanks!

    1. Robert Avatar

      Straight magnesium is a metal, and won’t dissolve in water. You can get shavings of magnesium, which have such uses as providing bright sparks in fireworks, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to bathe with them! Magnesium oil isn’t really an oil, but a solution of magnesium chloride.

  8. Isabelle Reed Avatar
    Isabelle Reed

    Wow! This is so amazing article. I also regularly take salt bath to relieve my body all types of toxins in air. I have tried your recipe. I got Himalayan salt from saltean. I mix one cup of Epsom salt and few Himalayan salt to my bath . It not only relax my body, but also make me feel more energetic.

  9. Jennifer Avatar

    Well I didn’t know about Epsom salt though I have been using Himalayan bath salt for quite a long time now and I must say it really is amazing. It makes my skin so smooth and refreshing. I also use Himalayan salt in cooking as well and recently I have bought a salt lamp form ittefaqco. This lamp is as good as the edible and bath salt.

  10. TINA Avatar

    Im looking forward to teying these salts out for my pain I’ve recently realised also how much I need magnesium supplements in my life to thanks for this too…I’m glad I found this page too thanks Wellness mama

  11. Amy Powell Avatar
    Amy Powell

    My favorite bath recipe is a combo of Dead Sea Dalt, Epsom Salt, Magnesium Flakes, Baking Soda, and Lemongrass Essential oils. I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Fibromyalgia. Due to all the medications I am on I also have nausea almost daily. I have found if I take my soaks in the tub no less than every other day my body aches and joint pain with swelling is reduced. The addition of Lemongrass works better for nausea than the Zofran prescription I was using. Some people think I’m crazy for my baths, but they have been game changers for me.

  12. Devchenka Avatar

    Is epsom salt and magnesium flakes are the same thing or different, because the price is significantly different, and i didn’t think its the same thing.

  13. Summer Menefee Avatar
    Summer Menefee

    Magnesium baths have cured my sons eczema! He’s been off of steroids for 2 years!!

  14. Kristin Green Avatar
    Kristin Green

    Has anyone made a bath salts combo before and had it start to leak water?

    We blended together magnesium flakes, Epsom salts, and Himalayan salt and put into a coated bag. A week later we noticed they were starting to clump. Well a week after that the bag was drenched and water/oil? though a very light oil started to seep from the bags and left puddles on the shelves.
    We figure a chemical reaction or water absorption from the air. Any fixes?

    1. Robert Avatar

      What you’ve got there is a deliquescent mixture. The magnesium chloride and sulfate come with waters of hydration — inapparent until something draws it out of them, in this case the sodium chloride. The only “fix” I could suggest would be to bake the magnesium salts until they lose their water of hydration — you’ll see the change in form — before mixing it with the Himalayan salt, and even then you’d need to keep it in a dessicator (the refrigerator might work). Otherwise, just don’t mix them but add them separately to the bath.

  15. Sarah Avatar

    Thanks for all your great DIY recipes! I am curious how long these salts last in a sealed jar? With the Vanilla extract I wasn’t sure what the shelf life would be. Thanks!

  16. Ana Avatar

    I used to have all the problems you describe. Epsom baths are wonderfully soothing but what really resolved the problems was buying an infrared sauna tent (Amazon $200-ish) and working up a good sweat daily, as well as coffee enemas, clean paleo eating, and practicing deep breathing.

  17. Cheryl Avatar

    Hi,
    Have been reading your posts for a while – first time commenting. I regularly take Epsom salt/magnesium baths with essential oils. I’m wondering why the vanilla? Does it do something specific or is it just because you like it?
    I have arthritis, fibromyalgia and multiple back issues on top of intestinal issues… other than that, I love a good bath soak!
    Thanks

  18. Emily Avatar

    Can the recipe for salt bath above be used on my 11 month old?

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