Is Epsom Salt really salt?
Epson salt is called a ‘salt’ because it looks like a salt crystal. But in reality, they are magnesium sulphate, not sodium chloride (NaCl) which is a true salt. Epsom salts are named after an England town where magnesium and sulphate are found in high concentrations in a saltwater spring. It is not for consumption. Epsom ‘salts’ are known to help achy muscles, pain and soothing skin aliments. And they work. Soak in an Epsom salt bath and you will feel good. It is a healthy way to detox
Epsom vs. Table Salt
These two ‘salts’ have little in common. Table salt is the edible salt. But is it necessarily a healthy choice? White table Salt: In the processing of white table salt, the brine solution may contain chlorine or sulfuric acid. Also, all minerals that our body needs are removed. Anti-caking and conditioning agents are added to make a ‘forever’ shelf life. Iodine is added. While our body does need iodine to help prevent goiters (thyroid swelling), the small amount added may not totally satisfy our bodies’ needs. But the salt is marketed, ‘with iodine’. Better iodine choices would be iodine from seaweed, prunes cod, tuna, shrimp, eggs are good choices.
Other Salt Choices
You can consume, or bathe in natural salts, such as Sea (ocean) Himalayan (mountain) Red (Hawaiian clay). Black (Hawaii black lava), Grey (Celtic Sea Salt), Fleur de Sel (France’s coastline), Persian Blue (Iran). Colour, texture, mineral richness, suggested uses and prices vary. Most common are the sea salts. Not only are they good nutritional choices, but they also provide a great detox bath.
Research, as always, causes some confusion. Some salt research comparisons say there is no significant difference in salts. Some say that all salts are comparable to white table salt. Other studies prefer the true sea salt to the man-made refined version, as sea salt contains more iron, calcium and other trace minerals than white table salt.
We prefer nature’s sea salts. Unrefined and unprocessed. If ocean pollution is becoming a concern balance your sea salts with other earth-bound salt source. Have you ever been fortunate to experience the actual Dead Sea Salt waters? Or, perhaps swam in Canada’s own Manitou lake, in Saskatchewan? The soothing and healing properties of the concentrated salt waters can be profound. Himalayan Sea salt is a wonderful source of trace minerals and is a true salt.
If you currently enjoy an Epsom salt bath, make it a true salt bath but adding sea rock crystals. One example of a detox bath is:
• 1 cup of Epsom Salt
• 1 cup of Baking Soda
• 1 cup of Sea Salt
• 4-7 drops of a favourite essential oil (optional)
We sell three products containing sea salt: To bathe or to scrub: Dead Sea Salt Spa, Manitouka Scrub. To clean your teeth: Tooth Cleanser. All will provide you with the 84 trace minerals your body will relish.
We stand behind our products. We give great customer service. Visit us at natural.ca. Subscribe to our newsletter. Visit our store: ‘La Boutique Earth to Body’, 89 Lucerne, Pointe Claire, QC., H9R 2V1. Email [email protected]
