Adding different products to your bath water is not a new invention. This has been done for centuries across different cultures across the world. Early civilizations had discovered the benefits of cleansing and soothing the body with warm baths infused with aromatic herbs, oils and natural salts vs Magnesium flakes. This not only enhanced the bath experience, but also offered a range of benefits such as pain relief, calming and promotion of good quality relaxation and sleep.
The Ancient Romans had taken the art and science of bathing to high levels, and by the 19th century, the idea of personal hygiene led to the development of a variety of bath products and skin or hair care aids such as soaps and shampoos.
Benefits of Bath Salts
One of the earliest bath products to be sold commercially were bath salts. They were also known as Epsom salts. The name comes from the town of Epsom in the UK where these salts are found in the natural springs in this area. In chemical terms, this salt is a compound of magnesium and sulfate that easily dissolves in water. Many centuries ago, people who lived in the Epsom area discovered that the water here provided relief from pain, soreness, inflammation and fibromyalgia. Some traditional medicine experts claim that it can promote skin health, reduce stress, detox the body of harmful substances, give relief from sunburn and the ill-effects of chemotherapy. Epsom salts can be taken internally too on the recommendation of a physician. This is reputed to cure digestive problems and promote good sleep.
Commercial bath salts may also include products that contain fragrance, color and glycerine, normal salt, borax, foaming agents, skin care products and more. These products enhance the bath and cleansing experience.
Skin self care
Cleansing, moisturizing and toning your skin is a part of normal skin care routine for all ages, whether you’re a man or woman. It is a practice that is inculcated in most people from the time they are adults and become responsible for their own care.
However, with the kind of hectic schedules that you maintain, juggling work, home and kids or caring for seniors, there’s hardly any time for self care. Skin care usually takes a back seat and becomes a low priority. The effects of this can be highly damaging and sometimes irreversible.
Regular skin care ensures that you remain free from acne, wrinkles, dryness or age-spots. You can prevent infections, sunburn and even some types of skin cancer. Apart from physical health, a glowing and healthy skin helps you to look youthful, boosts your self confidence and ensures that you look and feel great.
Studies show that magnesium intake helps to protect against cardiovascular disease, depression and improves immunity. It also helps to regulate moods, and boost enzyme function. A relaxing bath with magnesium salts helps faster recovery from sports injuries.
Magnesium Flakes And Epsom Salts: An Overview
Though Epsom salts are a compound of magnesium and sulfate, current research in the field has promoted the use of magnesium chloride flakes.
Magnesium flakes are considered to be a more pure form of magnesium as compared to Epsom salts. Magnesium in any form is reputed to slow down the effects of aging. That’s why many doctors recommend consuming a magnesium supplement daily in capsule form.
Experts often cite the example of bathing in the Dead Sea, where the water contains 40% more magnesium than ocean water. Bathing in this water is therapeutic, and reduces symptoms and discomfort in conditions such as arthritis, improves the skin barrier, supports moisturization and helps people to relax.
Choosing Epsom Salt or Magnesium Flakes
Magnesium flakes are created by heating and cooling a concentrated solution of magnesium chloride and water. On cooling it forms a hard sheet that can be powdered or broken into flakes for easier use.
Epsom salts are extracted from natural sources, or they can be made from synthetic materials using the same formula.
Magnesium flakes have a higher concentration of pure magnesium when compared to Epsom salts which are a compound of magnesium and sulfates.
Being highly soluble in water, magnesium flakes are easy to use.
One of the advantages of magnesium flakes is that this element has a higher rate of absorption into the body compared to Epsom salt. Magnesium flakes dissolve faster in water than Epsom salt, so you get quicker access to benefits. Scientists refer to this quality as being more bioavailable. This is a great boon when you’re pressed for time. If you need to get relief from chronic pains, magnesium flakes can give you quicker freedom from pain.
According to a survey conducted by a reputed organization in the UK, a great number of people enjoy having a relaxing soak and bath after a long and stressful day. This is in contrast to the quick shower that most of us can manage in the mornings.
Magnesium flakes are easily available in most health care stores and across the counter in pharmacies. You can also look for reputed retailers online.
Though both Epsom salts and Magnesium flakes may look similar, there is a difference in the way they act. You will experience faster relaxation, pain relief and better rest and recovery with magnesium flakes compared to Epsom salts.
You can have a relaxing bath with magnesium flakes two or three times a week, so work it into your schedule for best results.
Here are some handy tips to use Magnesium flakes in other ways too:
Make your own sleep spray with flakes and water in equal quantities and spray on the chest and arms
Relieve stress from strained or tired muscles with a compress made from warm water and flakes in a 20:80 solution, or make your own footbath.
You can inhale the vapor for a few minutes from magnesium flakes dissolved in steaming water.
But before you start your magnesium self care routine, check with your doctor and ensure that you’re not on a magnesium-restricted diet, pregnant or breast-feeding, or have diabetes.
