Epsom salts for infection

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, and it got its name after the town of Epsom in England, where it was first distilled from water. These salts are widely available in drugstores or supermarkets and it is fairly inexpensive.

Epsom salt has many uses. Mainly, it is used for soothing baths, but, it is also a very beneficial plant food, especially in organic gardening. It has many health benefits, it improves the appearance of the skin, and it can also be used to treat certain infections.

Health Benefits of Epsom Salts

These salts, whose chemical formula is rather complicated- MgSO4-7H2O, have been used for a long time to treat many ailments, like sprains, back pain, and similar problems. If used on cuts, burns, and bruises, they speed up the healing process and prevent complications. They provide relief from colds, flu, congestion, sinus problems, and similar. They regulate enzymes in the body and contribute to detoxification.

However, even though their use is wide and very popular, science seems to have ignored Epsom salts for a long time, and not many studies have been performed to back what the experience of so many people has already proven.

One of the most popular medical drugs with healing ability is Epsom salt that is hydrated magnesium sulphate;MgSo4.7H2o. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and the second intracellular cation after potassium. In minute amounts it is necessary for body’s proper metabolism and function. Magnesium homeostasis in the body is maintained by a delicate interplay among intestinal absorption, skeletal resorption, renal reabsorption and urinary excretion. At cellular level magnesium is a cofactor as well as an activator in almost all enzymatic systems that regulates diverse biochemical reactions in the body. In addition, magnesium is essential for the conversion of vitamin D into its active form which in turn activated vitamin D can increase intestinal absorption of magnesium and calcium influencing the growth and maintenance of bones. Serum magnesium concentration estimation is a poor predictor of intracellular magnesium content and may not accurately reflect the status of body’s total magnesium content.

An integrated review format was chosen for present article and many medical and scientific literature on magnesium and its essential role in health and interaction/s with vitamin D were reviewed.
Results indicated that chronic magnesium deficiency is common among the general population as well as in the hospitalized patients. It may induce a wide range of clinical complications.
Investigations have indicated that the activities of three major vitamin D converting enzymes and vitamin D binding proteins are magnesium dependent. Furthermore, magnesium deficiency leads to reduced 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D and impaired parathyroid response.
In general, the effectiveness of vitamin D is significantly reduced when magnesium homeostasis in the body is not maintained.

It is concluded that chronic magnesium deficiency should always be considered in different clinical complications. Taking magnesium supplementations could be beneficial to prevent recurrence of the diseases. Moreover, the general population should be encouraged to consume magnesium-containing foods to reduce disease burden. Further investigations are necessary in regard to vitamin D and magnesium interaction/s. They may include observations to determine the adequate magnesium dose as well as studies on the more effective type of magnesium supplementation for vitamin D processing.

✓ Fact confirmed: From Epsom Salt to a Beneficial Mineral ; Magnesium Mehri Aliasgharpour; 2019

Epsom salts have been used traditionally to prevent, reduce and treat various infections. The principle is always the same, and it involves soaking the affected area in Epsom salt water solution for a certain period. In most cases, soaking needs to be repeated several times to be fully effective.

A person who has a cut, bruise, scrape, or burn can use Epsom salts to accelerate healing and prevent infections. These salts seem to have an effect on bacteria and fungi, and skin infections caused by those agents can be treated with soaking. Also, infected teeth can be treated by gargling the Epsom salt solution. Even though there is no scientific proof that this will cure the infection, it certainly seems to relieve the pain and reduce swelling. The same goes for swelling and pain caused by an ingrown nail.

Athlete’s foot, tinea versicolor, yeast infections, and nail fungus can be treated with Epsom salts too, although in severe cases this treatment will certainly not suffice.

The important thing about these salts is that they, or their solution, should never be ingested. They are meant for external use only, for soaking, rubbing, baths, or gargling.