Reduce stress with a warm mineral bath

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 by: Mary Marsh
Tags: mineral bath, stress, health news

(NewsTarget) Many people consider stress to be the underlying cause for all health issues. One simple way to reduce stress is to take a hot mineral bath one to three times a week. Mineral baths have long been considered a way to deal with stress, inflammation, aches, and pain.

Epsom salt, a foundational ingredient in many mineral bath recipes, is mostly magnesium and sulfates which are major elements in our cells. Many people are deficient in these minerals because of a poor diet. A lack of magnesium and sulfates contributes to heart disease, arthritis, joint pain, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue and other stress-related illnesses. They are easily absorbed through the skin so a bath is a great way to supplement your body with them.

What do these minerals do for us?

Magnesium:

Helps reduce stress
Improves sleep and concentration
Reduces muscle inflammation, pain and cramps
Improves muscle and nerve function
Helps the body use oxygen more efficiently
Regulates enzymes
Lessens hardening of the arteries and blood clots
Improves insulin performance

Sulfates:

Remove toxins from the body
Reduce migraine headaches
Help the absorption of nutrients
Increase the formation of joint and digestive tract proteins and brain tissue

Absorption of Epsom salt is known to calm the nervous system, reduce swelling, relax muscles, and relieve stress. It, also, smoothes and softens skin and acts as an exfoliate.

One simple suggestion is to pour two cups of Epsom salts in a warm bath and enjoy for 15 minutes or so.

Another suggestion is to mix together:

4 cups organic dry milk powder (goat's milk for additional moisturizing)
2 cups Cornstarch
2 cups baking soda
2 cups Epsom salt
1 cup sea salt

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a closed container. Start with 2 rounded tablespoons in your bath. Add more if desired. Soak for 15 minutes or so.

You can, also, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Be sure the essential oil is of therapeutic grade. (One way to tell pure oil is to see if it can be used internally.) Soaking in chemicals or impure oils will not improve your health.

Also, if you live where the water is unclean or chlorinated, it is recommended you filter the water you are bathing in; otherwise, you will be soaking in the good along with the bad. If you don't have a whole house filter, a bath ball helps or run the water through the filtered shower head.

Caution: If you have heart trouble or high blood pressure or are a diabetic, check with your doctor before bathing.

http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/epsom-uses...
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/detox-baths...
http://www.tranquilityisyours.com/epsom-salt...

About the author

Mary Marsh, PhD.