Epsom Salt Foot Soak: How, Why, and When?

Epsom salt is derived from distilled, mineral-rich water. Epsom salt is not only used in the kitchen for cooking but also in the beauty industry. Epsom salt is essentially a mineral compound that contains magnesium and sulfate.

Today, we will talk about the Epsom salt foot soak. How you can do it, why should you do it, and when should you do it. Plus, a lot of other questions and answers.

How to prepare an Epsom salt foot soak

People all around the world have used Epsom salt as a home remedy for generations. The Epsom salt foot soak will relieve aches and pains, improve circulation, and soften your feet. If your job demands you stand still for long periods, or you need to walk a lot around the office, your feet are probably tired when you get home.

Even if you want to relieve pain from walking on heels, Epsom salt will help you. This treatment heals a variety of foot and skin infections. But back to the “how” question. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Fill up a small tub with warm water. Make sure to add enough water to cover your feet up to the ankles.
2. Add ½ cup of Epsom salt to the tub. Wait a few minutes for the Epsom salt to dissolve.
3. Soak your feet for 30 to 60 minutes. You can repeat the treatment every night. If you don’t have the time, a few times per week is more than enough, but keep to the minimum amount of 30 minutes soaking per treatment.

Precautions

Epsom salt does not have any negative impacts on your health. However, there are a few precautions. For starters, excessive use will result in cracked skin on the feet. The optimal use is two to three times per week. If you have dry skin, use less Epsom salt and massage your feet with moisturizing cream after the treatment.

If you have nerve damage or poor blood flow to the feet, consult with a physician before using the Epsom salt foot soak treatment. Also, for any sores, wounds, and foot pain, consult your doctor.

Why soak your feet in Epsom salt?

Now that you know how to do the treatment, I would like to share with you why you need to soak your feet. I already mentioned that Epsom salt can soothe and relieve pain from tired feet. But there are other benefits:

• Epsom salt has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• Soaking your feet in Epsom salt improves circulation and blood flow in your feet.
• Soaking your feet in Epsom salt flushes out toxins from your feet.
• By getting rid of toxins and bacteria, your feet will smell nice again.
• Soaking feet reduces stress.
• Magnesium and sulfate are easily absorbed through the skin, which means you can enjoy the benefits of these minerals by soaking your feet.
• Epsom salt reduces inflammation and improves muscle function.
• Using this soak on a regular basis can improve an athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails.
• Helps to regulate blood sugar.

Bonus Tips

Using the regular Epsom salt foot soak will provide numerous benefits. However, you can always make the soak more potent, which is why I want to give you some extra tips and tricks:

• You can add a few drops of lavender oil for a more relaxing treatment. The best time to use the lavender treatment is before going to bed, and you will sleep easier. You can also add peppermint oil for a rejuvenating effect on your feet.
• To exfoliate your skin, massage your feet with Epsom salt after soaking.
• If you want to boost the detoxifying benefits of the Epsom salt foot soak, add ginger or cayenne to the mix.
• To soften your skin, add a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the mix.
• If you want to brush your feet with a dry brush, do so before soaking them in Epsom salt. This will help you get rid of dead skin cells.