Many Health Benefits of Epsom Salt

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Gallbladder Stones

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1 star (4) 
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Posted by Melva (Red Lake, ON) on 04/16/2006
★☆☆☆☆

I tried the gallstone cleanse and couldn't believe the amount of "stones" and "gravel" I passed. I showed the stones to my doctor and he agreed that they were indeed gallstones. Then he suggested that another ultrasound be done and whoops! All the original stones were still sloshing around in there. So we sent some "stones" to a lab and the report came back - "These are NOT gallstones". So I have concluded that the ingredients of the cleanse form the stones, with the oil stimulating the gallbladder enough to add bile for the greenish coloring.


Gallbladder Stones
Posted by Mel (Philippines) on 02/01/2006
★☆☆☆☆

According the the research of bill sardi, (www.knowledgeofhealth.com), stones removed after lemon-olive liver flush, are 'soap stones". it is the result of the chemical reaction in the digestive system with the olive oil, lemon and epsom salts. i proved it myself after performing the liver flush procedure. in the ct scan result after the procedure, tiny stones still remain in my gallbladder. the allegedly flush stones, which i kept in a sealed container, melts after 3 days. I now conclude that the procedure touted to remove gallstones only temporarily eliminated the symptoms attack. it will not cure the the problem. For me, the best cure is to dissolve the stones naturally and change your diet that may cause gallstone to form again.


General Feedback

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Posted by Ash (London, England) on 11/28/2011

There are many posts about Epsom Salt Baths. I would like to know the best way to have an Epsom Salt Bath for muscular aches and pains and for High Blood Pressure. I have some questions:

1) How much Epsom Salts do you put into a Small Bath full of water?

2) Is it better to have a Warm, Hot or VERY HOT Bath - Floatation tanks are just warm - 37.9 F?

3) How long should you soak in the Bath -20 Mins- 30 Mins or 1 Hour?

4) How many times a WEEK is it safe to do it - is Daily OK?

5) Are there any side effects?

Many thanks and God Bless,

Ash

Replied by Saura
(Wichita, Ks)
08/20/2012

The olive oil-grape juice cleanse is actually very effective at getting rid of any nausea caused by an inflamed gallbladder or pancreas, but you may have to do several cleanses simply because there are over 50,000 ducts in the liver and gallbladder that need to be cleaned out. So, to a large extent, I disagree with Mel from the Philippines. I was able to completely eliminate all of the nausea and pain that I was having by doing multiple liver cleanses. Plus, I had more energy and my skin, eyes, and digestion improved after doing multiple liver cleanses. A person should wait two weeks in between cleanses. It is true that most of the stones eliminated are typically soft and that they do melt after several days, but this does not mean that the liver/gallbladder cleanse is not effective, or that it the cleanses don't work, because I have found that with each liver/gallbladder cleanse that you do, you will get fewer stones than you got before, and that the stones that you eliminate during the first liver cleanse look older and more yellowish during than the stones in subsequent liver cleanses, which look green. Besides that, an X-ray of the liver will reveal that the texture of the liver improves by doing multiple liver cleanses. During the first cleanse that I did, the stones were only about a quarter of an inch, but during subsequent cleanses, I had some which were over an inch in size. But eventually, by about the fifth cleanse, I got to the point where no stones were being eliminated... Just a little bit of chaff, and I attribute this to the fact that I had eliminated all the major stones in my liver and gall bladder.

The idea that these stones are simply "soapstones" as suggested by Mel is not true. I was able to avoid having to have my gallbladder removed by doing the liver/gallbladder flushes. It's been twelve years since I was having gallbladder/pancreas issues, and I haven't had a problem since then. I'm glad that I took charge of my own health.


General Feedback
Posted by Ash (London, Uk) on 11/23/2011

Hello,

Epsom baths have eased my muscular aches and pains and I read that taking it internally also works. I am thinking of of taking Epsom Salt in Water to drink daily. How much can I add to a Litre of Water without having any laxative effect?

I also have high blood pressure - are there any side effects?

Thank you for a great web site!

Ash

Replied by Maria
(Gippsland, Australia)
11/26/2011

Hi Ash, Some people have 1/2 teaspoon on rising and again in the evening, some take 1 teaspoon on rising (in a glass of water). But always start with a lower dose like 1/4 teaspoon. Epsom Salts can be laxative in larger doses and it varies from person to person. I don't know anyone who takes it in a litre of water but I think start with 1/4 of a teaspoon and build up to 1 teaspoon.

In regards to your high blood pressure magnesium, especially when combined with some potassium, may lower it.

You can also use it in foot baths as there is only a certain amount of magnesium we can absorb orally with epsom salts.

Replied by Ash
(London, England, United Kingdom)
12/03/2011

Maria,

Thank you for the response - I will try that.

Ash


General Feedback
Posted by Treece (Jeffersonville, In) on 11/08/2010

Be careful. My Mom didn't want her doctor to know she had gained weight so took Epsom salts regularly before her appointments. This made her blood pressure go down temporarily and she appeared pink and healthy. But she died of a heart attack due to high blood pressure that no one knew she had.


General Feedback
Posted by Janice (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 01/07/2010

Epsom Salts and Constipation

I read on Earthclinic about adding a few flakes of Epsom Salts in your tea or room temperture water to relieve aches and pains.....and sent to a friend who's mother and her are in a great deal of pain.....

However as much as I loved the taste of a few flakes of Epsom Salts in room temperature water and drank a few times a day.....I loved the taste and the warmth or sensation it gave me (like a inside body bath)...but I found it quite odd that I didn't go to the bathroom that day, and I believe it may have hindered the working department down there or something. Does it ever do that?

I am concerned because I truly LOVE the taste, but I've also been unable to digest food almost from eating way too much and drinking (which I never do) on New Years Day.....and I don't have aches and pains myself but I have a lot of waste I am trying to get rid of, and I went to the bathroom every day at least once until drinking the Epsom Salts.....WHY??

Replied by Dianna
(Austin, Tx)
01/08/2010

this is weird because at higher doses epsom salt actually relieves constipation!

i would suggest that you take a higher dose - look on the back of the package - it has directions - and that should help a lot.

also make sure you are drinking water also. it could be that the small amount of the epsom salts have a dehydrating effect.

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
01/09/2010

Hi Janice...I take Epsom Salts also, but I take it as a supplement to support the magnesium requirements in my body and not as a laxative. I take about 1/4 teaspoon Epsom Salts occasionally in a glass of water. This amount in solution will NOT act as a laxative. You would have to increase your dosage from a couple of flakes to considerably more in solution to act as a laxative. Unfortunately I can't tell you the exact dose for Epsom Salt to be used as a laxative, since I use it in a different way.

Why not just buy some Milk of Magnesia (without aluminum) and use that as a laxative?

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
01/09/2010

Hi Janice...On my pack of Epsom Salts which is pure and organic, the laxative dosage is:

"For Adults, 12 yrs and older: 1 to 2 teaspoons in 1/2 glass of water.

For children under 12 yrs: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in 1/2 glass of water."

Hope this helps.

Replied by Moi
(V Ville, Ca)
01/09/2010

Bill,

If you read her post again, she does not state that she wanted the Epsom salts to be a laxative, she was enjoying a few flakes of it in water, but it was causing constipation. She was taking it for aches and pains and whilst that seemed to be working it was also causing constipation which she found confusing.

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
01/09/2010

Moi...Thanks for your comment but I think, perhaps that you are mistaken. Here is the very last paragraph of Janice's post again:

"I am concerned because I truly LOVE the taste, but I've also been unable to digest food almost from eating way too much and drinking (which I never do) on New Years Day.....and I don't have aches and pains myself but I have a lot of waste I am trying to get rid of, and I went to the bathroom every day at least once until drinking the Epsom Salts.....WHY?"

She is implying that the Epsom salts is causing the constipation which is very unlikely. Also in Janice's post she says that she takes "a few flakes of Epsom Salts in your tea or room temperature water". How much is a few flakes?

As Ted says, Epsom salts can be used in two ways. You can take 1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon of Epsom salts in a glass of water frequently to replace electrolytic balance or you can take 1 to 2 teaspoons in half a glass of water, at a much higher concentration, to act as a laxative.

I suspect that Janice was not taking enough Epsom Salts to act as a laxative, which is why I tried to help her by giving the proper laxative amounts.

Replied by Moi
(V Ville, Ca)
01/10/2010

Bill,

You are right, I did not see the last part of the post. Sorry.

Replied by Rocky
(Calapan, Mindoro)
02/03/2010

To Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: Where i can buy Epsom Salt in Philippines? Thanks!

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
02/04/2010

Hi Rocky...In the Philippines, you can buy organic Epsom Salts(in 2 lb milk cartons) at 'Healthy Options' stores that are always in any SM Mall. 'Healthy Options' are a major Asian supplement and natural food chain.

Replied by Christina M.
(Mobile, Al)
08/18/2011

Re: Epsom salt causing one to use the bathroom less frequently- Yes, this *can* happen, as epsom salt is hydrophilic; you need to increase your water intake a bit if you plan to use the salts. That's all you should have to do. Using them as a laxative is unnecessary and could be harmful if you are already dehydrated.

Replied by Citygirl27
(Richardson, Tx, Usa)
06/18/2012

My bag of epsom salts says to take 2-4 teaspoons in "8 oz" of water. I use one Tablespoon (3 tsp) and a LOT more water because a) it tastes *blech* and b) you will lose a lot of water. If you are on the smaller size, use the lower dose; larger size, use the higher dose. I use it as an inexpensive colon flush. Not really a cleanse in the strict sense, but like someone said, a bath. Almost to the point of a purge out that end. You'll know. For me it takes about 6-8 hours to take effect, so keep that in mind.

Replied by Mary
(Mn)
08/14/2013

How often do you take the epsom salts. Can I do a colon cleanse once a week?? Is that too often?? Can the epsom salts cause high blood pressure?? How much is too much?


General Feedback
Posted by Marian (Prescott Valley, AZ) on 02/16/2009

How do you soften caked epsom salt?


Genital Herpes

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Posted by Donna (Ogallala, USA) on 12/05/2008
★★★★★

I have suffered with GH for close to 30yrs. One of the things that has helped stop an outbreak is to soak in a hot bath with epsom salts or other mineral salts. When I feel an outbreak coming I soak in the saltbath and the blisters either do not come out or go directly into the scab phase leaving out the painful part in the middle. I will try cutting out the sugar in my diet.


Growing Pains, Leg Pain

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Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 10/29/2018
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My 12 year old son is growing fast. A couple of nights ago he was having terrible pain in his legs. My husband remembers these "growing pains" from when he was a child.

My son is pretty hearty and doesn't usually complain about pain and he was clearly miserable.

I had him take a bath with about 1.5 cups Epsom salt in it. He was skeptical but desperate. (OTC pain medicine had not worked.)

Within 5 minutes of getting into the tub his pain subsided.

He soaked for at least 20 minutes and went to bed pain free and woke up still pain free.

During growing seasons, some extra magnesium is probably in order. A daily tablespoon of blackstrap would probably be a great idea to increase minerals, including magnesium.

~Mama to Many~


Liver Flush Cleanse

Posted by Ann (Altadena, Ca) on 04/12/2013

Dear Earthclinic, If you are doing a liver flush cleanse, what is the nutrient that you need to replenish after using the epsom salts? It is Potassium, or Magnesium? I have had difficulty afterward and want to be prepared. Ann


Magnesium Chloride

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Posted by WALID DAKHEL (Kuala Lumpur) on 04/23/2020
★★★★★

I believe Magnesium "Chloride" to be the best commonly used magnesium to use. https://www.health-science-spirit.com/MagChlor.pdf


Magnesium Source

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Posted by Rhonda (Tallahassee, FL) on 12/12/2007
★★★★★

Epsom salt may be more appropriate for soaking, as the magnesium diffuses into the bloodstream more slowly, however heed to the warning labels on the bag. If you use Epsom internally as a supplement for magnesium you want to avoid giving yourself a potassium deficiency, and that goes with any magnesium supplement, but is especially important for those on a diet low in potassium, or have low blood potassium levels. Diarrhea is a sign you have taking too much, unless you're intentionally trying to use it as a laxative. I would include grapefruit and oranges in my diet especially if using Epsom, and would not use Epsom internally long periods; have a blood test done, or watch out for signs of potassium deficiency if you're a chronic Epsom user. I read that magnesium taurate was once said to be the best form of magnesium, citrate being next, especially for those with mineral imbalances and prone to heartbeat irregularities.


Mama's Magnesium Musings

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Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 03/20/2017
★★★★★

I was out of town and realized I had forgotten my magnesium supplement. The easiest and cheapest solution was to get some Epsom salt. I was looking at the directions to see how much to take and was noticing the directions for using it as fertilizer. And the information about the sulfur content.

We talk a lot about the benefits of magnesium from taking epsom salt baths. But I don't recall mention of benefits from the sulfur content. (Maybe I just didn't notice.)

The sulfur in MSM and DMSO and even garlic are important to the healing benefit from those things. Sulfur is a critical element needed by the body.

While I don't mean to reduce credit from the magnesium in Epsom salt, maybe the sulfur is playing an important role too. I am guessing that I would get more nutritional benefit by using Epsom salt for my internal magnesium supplement. But ugh. It doesn't taste good. If anyone has any ideas on improving the taste, please share!

Maybe the sulfur content is part of why Epsom salt soaks work well for infections.

And maybe Epsom salt would be better in some cases that magnesium oil, which is made from magnesium chloride.

Well, I am just thinking out loud here. Does anyone else have any thoughts about the sulfur content in Epsom salt?

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
03/20/2017

Epsom Salt Baths: An Old-School Way to Feel Better Fast?

by Steven Wright

Hello MTM ! Sorry about the bold title !

Just finished a quick read of the above and thought I should share it with you.

Useful OR not??

Been fascinated with Magnesium for a long time now.

Such an easy fix for many who are suffering from lots of conditions but possibly too easy to be taken seriously??

Most people are deficient in this stuff anyway.

Not easy to absorb enough into one's body though.

Of course I was immediately drawn to the "Old-School" (and "fast") bit - ha ha!

Regards, Michael

Replied by KT
(Usa)
03/21/2017

Thank you for your post Michael with regard to magnesium. I have had to take more than the RDA to not have joint stiffness. I've had multiple injuries due to auto and horses. I've been diagnosed with arthritis in places I didn't know I had places!! I've learned I have to take mag before each meal because mag and calcium compete for the same site. Calcium alone does not harden bones.

Because magnesium has to bind with protein before absorption, it is necessary to have protein with each meal. That prevents the diarrhea I have read people complaining about as to why they cannot take magnesium. It's true for me anyway.

Please forgive my frustrated post. It's cold here now but I as I scanned the recent posts and saw yours I was compelled to say this. I know, I know it's warming up outside but our house is cold!


Prevent Cerebral Palsy in Babies

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Posted by Tom (Waltham, MA) on 01/31/2008
★★★★★

I saw an article online today about how Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) was used to prevent Cerebral Palsy in babies. Just google "epsom salt" and "Cerebral Palsy" if you are interested to read some of the articles about this. Very interesting. Keep up the GREAT work. I LOVE this site! -Tom

Replied by Susan
(USA)

EC: Article on Reuters
Epsom salt can prevent cerebral palsy: U.S. study

Jan 31, 2008

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Giving a woman an infusion of Epsom salts when she goes into premature labor can help protect her baby from cerebral palsy, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

Magnesium sulfate, popularly known as Epsom salts, cut the rate of cerebral palsy in half, Dr. John Thorp, a professor of obstetrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and colleagues reported.

"We have a cheap, widely available treatment already in hand that cuts in half the risk of babies being born with an extremely disabling disorder," Thorp said in a statement.

"And virtually every delivery room in the United States is already stocked with magnesium sulfate solutions that are given to pregnant women during childbirth for other reasons."

Dr. Alan Fleischman, medical director of the birth defect charity March of Dimes, was more cautious. "I think it is an important study," he said in a telephone interview.

But he noted that more study was needed to understand how the treatment works, and said the children were not protected from more subtle brain damage that affected intellectual and cognitive function.

Thorp's team presented their findings to a meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Dallas.

They gave either magnesium sulfate or a placebo to 2,241 women going into early labor or with ruptured membranes. The women's pregnancies were at between 24 to 31 weeks -- a full-term pregnancy goes 40 weeks.

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN3132603620080131

Replied by Maude
(Dannevirke, New Zealand)
11/17/2011

I need to know.. do new zealand doctors give epsom salts injections to women with pre-clasma.?

Replied by Ann
(Dallas, Tx)
03/12/2017

I came to this site, because I use epsom salt and wanted to know what it could do. It cannot cure Cerebral Palsy, and you need to research what it is. It is not something you are born with like down syndrome or hydrocephalus. It is caused by damage to the cerebral and can be caused during birth, which is common, or from an injury later on in life. Which quite common is it caused by the suction cup at birth. Not everything you read on the internet is true.

Dayle
(MA)
11/21/2021
6 posts
★★★★★

It could very well prevent cerebral palsy. Magnesium relaxes the body. If the mother is relaxed the birth will be easier. Cerebral palsy, if I understand correctly, can be caused by a lack of oxygen during an arduous trip through the birth canal and a lack of oxygen during that trip. A relaxed mother will be less likely to suffer a lengthy birth process, thereby lessening the occurrence of a lack of oxygen to the baby.


Racing Heart

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Posted by Rick (New Bloomfield, PA) on 07/03/2007
★★★★★

No particular ailment, but I have been interested in Magnesium supplementation ever since I had a couple of "racing heart" episodes several years back, and discovered that I could calm things down by taking Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) in water... awful taste and also a powerful laxative. I began to wonder how I could get the same effect in a more palatable way, without the laxative effect. Eventually I found the"Magnesium" webpage and learned the following:

How to make your own Magnesium water [like the 'Noah' water being sold by a certain company, which bottles water from a spring that is naturally rich in bicarbonates of Magnesium].

The assumption is that we could all use more magnesium in our diet, which may help reduce blood pressure, reduce the likelihood of kidney stones, etc.

Here's how to make your own Mg-rich drinking water:

Buy a bottle of Carbonated Seltzer water - NO SODIUM, just carbonated "fizz" water, unflavored. Refrigerate for a couple of hours.

Get another, larger bottle, and pour 2/3 of a capful of PLAIN (no-flavor) Philips Milk of Magnesia (which is Magnesium Oxide, an alkaline laxative) into the large bottle. (The bottle comes with a plastic measuring cup which is what I mean when I say 2/3 capful.)

Now quickly open the bottle of carbonated water (water carbonic acid) and empty it into the large bottle containing the 2/3 capful of Magnesia.

Shake well.

You will have a bottle of milky/cloudy liquid which is in the process of neutralization between the carbonic acid and the magnesium oxide-- leaving a neutral salt, Magnesium Bicarbonate.

Let the cloudy mixture sit for a while at room temperature, until the liquid clears; there will be some white precipitate at the bottom. Shake again and let sit again. When clear, refrigerate. THIS IS YOUR MAGNESIUM BICARBONATE CONCENTRATE. Unlike the chalky taste of straight Milk of Magnesia, or the biting-fizzy taste of seltzer water, your concentrate will have a strong, sweet, slightly "soapy" taste. You will be DILUTING it in water for drinking purposes.

When it has chilled, pour a small amount into an empty 1 liter bottle (approx. 1/2" of concentrate at the bottom) and fill the rest of the bottle with pure drinking water.

You have now created a sweet-tasting, Magnesium-enriched drinking water, and you're also getting your Bi-carbs without all the Sodium you'd be getting from Baking Soda.

I have been making and drinking this Mg water since Nov. 2006 (I write this in July of 2007) and have not had any bad effects from it. I take a bottle to work and sip it during the day. My resting heart rate seems to have gone down and I feel more relaxed in general. I can't say it has greatly improved my high blood pressure, but it has helped some, and I know I am getting enough Magnesium. Probably would be beneficial to supplement with Calcium for balance.

Try it and see what it does for you.

Replied by Julie
(Leslie Vale, Australia)
12/19/2008

you can buy Epsom salts in a capsule from Colocaps balance made by colocaps pharmaceuticals

Replied by Isabel
(Tampa, Fl)
12/21/2008

I would like to know how many ounces of Epsom Salts for the bottle of carbonated seltzer water?

Replied by Deby
(Tampa, Florida)
05/05/2012
★★★★★

I experienced heart palpitations and began taking equal amounts of calcium/magnesium capsules. It has helped tremendously.

Replied by Bernadette
(Perth)
04/08/2023

Phillips MOM has bleach in it these days (April 2023) even though it doesn't say it on the bottle. Sodium hypochlorite. Most other previously safe brands also have sodium hypochlorite these days.

EC: Phillip's MOM list of inactive ingredients on the label:

Anhydrous citric acid, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, D&C red #28, flavor, glycerin, microcrystalline cellulose, purified water, sodium citrate, sodium hypochlorite, sucrose, xanthan gum.



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