Epsom salt, chemically known as magnesium sulfate, is a mineral named for the source in Surrey, England where it was first discovered. Epsom salt has many benefits and is mostly used topically, however consuming Epson salt is just as beneficial for health. Epsom salt can be used for a variety of purposes including beauty and skin care, household cleaning, and outdoor gardening.
Epsom salt is also used for agricultural purposes, however salts made for human consumption are labeled "USP" (United States Pharmacopeia). They also include data on drugs that indicate they meet US Food and Drug Administration standards.
Can you drink Epsom salt?
The most common question about this mineral is can you drink Epsom salts? If you can. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Epsom salt as a laxative. According to Bruce Fife, author ofThe Detox Book:How to detox your body to improve your health, stop disease and reverse aging, drinking Epson salt also helps detoxify the liver.
A high intake of Epsom salts is dangerous and it is highly recommended to read the package insert before consuming. The recommended intake of Epsom salts is the amount listed on the package, which counts as one dose. It should be mixed with 8 ounces of water and a few drops of lemon juice to taste.
Drinking Epsom salts can interact with medications like antibiotics, so it's recommended to stop taking any medication or supplements two days before consuming it. Epsom salt benefits include removing toxins, cleansing the liver, improving blood sugar levels, preventing blood clots, and many others.
How to use Epsom salt for constipation?
Epsom salt consumption is said to be extremely beneficial for constipation. It has a laxative effect and at the same time relaxes the digestive muscles. Before consuming, make sure it is the right product and read the instructions on the packaging carefully.
Instructions for preparing Epsom salts for constipation:
- Prepare Epson's salt solution with lukewarm water because salt easily dissolves in lukewarm water.
- Mix one teaspoon of salt with 4 ounces of water.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice to improve the bitter taste.
- Drink the solution immediately and in one sitting.
- If the results are not effective, repeat the process after four to six hours.
The recommended intake for adults is two teaspoons of salt dissolved in one cup of water or fruit juice. Children 1 year and older should dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water or fruit juice. It is always recommended to consult a doctor before taking Epsom salts to relieve constipation.
How Epson's salt works for constipation
Consuming Epsom salts for constipation works anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours. Epsom salt draws water into the colon, creating water pressure to flush waste products out of the body. However, more research is needed on this as there is no evidence to support this benefit.
How to drink Epsom salts for detox
Drinking Epsom salt also helps with detoxification. Before deciding on an Epsom salt detox, the following points should be considered.
- If you use Epsom salts to detox, you will need two days, one to detox and the second to rest.
- A kidney cleanse should be performed prior to Epsom salt detox to prevent nausea.
- Take milk thistle supplements post-detox to improve liver health
- Eat a fat-free breakfast and lunch (e.g., toast and honey or cereal and veggies) on the day of the detox
Penelope Oaks Colville, Autorin des Buches,The multiverse strategyShe suggests stopping eating and drinking at 2 p.m.
Instructions for preparing Epsom salts for detox:
- Add four tablespoons of Epsom salt to three cups of water and stir well to dissolve.
- Place the solution in the refrigerator to cool.
- At 6:00 p.m., drink ¾ cup of the cold Epsom salts mixture. M. (add some powdered vitamin C if you like).
- Pour ½ cup olive oil and ½ cup grapefruit juice into a glass and shake well. Drink this mixture at 10:00 p.m. and take four capsules omitine along with it.
- Retire at night and go to sleep.
- The next morning, drink 3/4 cup of the Epsom salts mixture and go back to bed.
- Drink the last Epsom salt solution two hours later.
- Do not eat immediately after consuming the solution. Wait two hours and start with a fruit juice.
- After an hour, eat light meals and completely avoid fried foods and meat.
- Like a regular dinner.
Make sure you consult a doctor before committing to this detox.
Epsom salt side effects
A high intake of Epsom salts can cause life-threatening side effects. Common side effects of Epsom salt include diarrhea and upset stomach. Be sure to consult a doctor if these side effects persist for a long period of time. Also, if you notice any of the following side effects, see your doctor right away.
- Allergic reactions including skin rash, hives, itching, chest tightness and difficulty breathing; and swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue
- Dizziness, flushing, or fainting
- muscle weakness or muscle paralysis
- severe drowsiness
- sweat
When to Avoid Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt should not be used as a laxative if you have any of these symptoms:
- severe abdominal pain
- Vomit
- nausea
- perforated gut
- severe constipation
- intestinal obstruction
- Colitis
- Arrhythmia
- toxic megacolon
- Sudden change in bowel habits that lasts two weeks or more
People with sulfur allergies should not consume or apply Epsom salts as they may experience skin irritation or itching. Frequent Epsom salt baths for more than 30 minutes can dehydrate the body, leading to dehydration and sometimes diarrhea. So don't overdo it.
For those taking heart medications or ciprofloxacin, it is highly recommended to avoid Epsom salt as it can interact with these medications. If you do not have a bowel movement or experience rectal bleeding after drinking Epsom salts, see your doctor right away. These symptoms can lead to more serious medical conditions.
People with heart or kidney problems should not drink Epsom salts due to the possibility of electrolyte imbalance and magnesium or phosphorus poisoning. Elderly people are more likely to experience gastrointestinal side effects and magnesium toxicity. If you have diabetes, kidney disease, or an eating disorder, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking an Epsom salt solution.
Epsom salts should not be taken during pregnancy, especially if you expect to deliver the baby within two hours. It is considered a pregnancy category D drug that may harm an unborn baby. Before taking Epsom salts, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If Epsom salt is taken for more than five to seven days during pregnancy, it can cause low calcium levels and bone problems in the fetus.
Contact your doctor if you have taken magnesium sulfate before any surgery, including dental procedures.
Other benefits of Epsom salt
Aside from drinking Epsom salt as a laxative, other Epsom salt benefits include using it as a bath, foot bath, removing splinters, relieving sore muscles, and relieving pain from sprains and bruises. However, these require further investigation and lack sufficient evidence. In general, Epsom salt seems to be beneficial not only for health, but also for beauty and skin care, as well as for removing stains on floors and walls.
In general, Epsom salts can be used topically or drunk. However, be sure to set a time frame for this and do so in consultation with your doctor. Do not use excessive amounts and do not take Epsom salt baths for more than 30 minutes.
Related:
- Lemon Water for Weight Loss and Other Health Benefits
- How do you make pineapple water? Main benefits of drinking pineapple water
Fuentes:
“Drink Epsom Salts,” Med-Health.net website;http://www.med-health.net/Drinking-Epsom-Salt.html, last accessed February 14, 2017.
Booe, M., „How to Drink Epsom Salt for Constipation“, Website LIVESTRONG.COM, 15. April 2016;http://www.livestrong.com/article/319677-how-to-drink-epsom-salt-for-estreñimiento/.
„Epsom Salt for Constipation“, Website von Home Remedies For Life, 20. Januar 2016;http://homeremediesforlife.com/epsom-salt-for-estreñimiento/.
"Epsom Salts", Sitio-Web Drugs.com;https://www.drugs.com/mtm/epsom-salt.html, last accessed February 14, 2017.