How to Use Epsom Salt for Herpes? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Using Epsom salt for the first time could be a daunting task if you are a newbie in the business. Most of our brothers don’t know the right approach to using this mineral to render this naturally occurring mineral’s health benefits altogether. 

What is Epsom Salt?

Epsom Salt is a chemical compound made up of three elements, i.e., magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It was named after a town in Surrey called Epsom, England, where it was initially discovered. You can expect its appearance to be similar to table salt but is entirely different in taste. It can dissolve into water much like table salt; due to its not-so-awesome taste, you would avoid adding it to your cuisine.

What Science Has To Say

What is the best strategy to use Epsom Salt for herpes? Anecdotal and empirical evidence support the use of transdermal (relating to or denoting the application of a medicine or drug through the skin) application of magnesium sulfate, but what scientific studies have observed?

The transdermal use of Epsom Salt is in debate among scientific communities as they are yet to confirm whether magnesium sulfate penetrates through the skin or not while soaking your skin into Epsom saltwater. The transdermal application of this mineral is currently unsupported by science. The surprising truth is that there isn’t much research done on the transdermal use of Epsom salt. So, should you be coming down in favor of transdermal usage?

Let’s answer this!

Skin is the largest organ of our body, which is home to approx—5 million tiny (a few millimeters thick) hair follicles. The primary function of human skin is to protect the inner organs from outside threats such as pathogens, sun rays, toxicity, etc. Skin is designed to be waterproof. Therefore the question arises, how would magnesium get past the skin?

Keep Patience We Are About to Dig The Reality…

According to research done at the University of Birmingham, the UK, by Rosemary Waring, 19 healthy volunteers, aged 24-64, took a bath at 50-55℃ for 12 minutes. A different amount of Epsom salt was added. The baths were taken for seven consecutive days.

Blood magnesium levels were recorded of all the subjects, and surprisingly, contrary to scientific assertions, 16 people reported a rise in magnesium concentration in plasma. The remaining three subjects reported an increase in urinary magnesium, denoting that this mineral has penetrated through the skin and has been excreted by the kidney.

Lack of adequate research, this study might act as an element of enlightenment on transdermal use of Epsom salt for herpes.

Therefore, what we draw by understanding the above research might be good news for you. Bathing in Epsom salts, at least, as per our understanding, is safe and comfortable. It will increase sulfate and magnesium levels in your body.

The Benefits of Epsom Salt For Herpes

What is your biggest fear as being a herpes patient, except social anxieties, stigma, etc.? Physical afflictions, right? A herpes patient has to suffer excruciating pain. They want to heal faster, and probably you too. You want your sores gone ASAP. Every herpes patient yearns for this. So, why don’t you give a shot to Epsom salt?

Epsom salt captures the goodness of Magnesium, which is universally known as an analgesic agent. Herpes sufferers have to suffer nerve-pain, which can effectively be managed by feeding your body with ample magnesium amounts.

Magnesium reduces the swelling associated with herpes blisters as it helps speed up the healing response time. It may help in drying up the blisters, which in turn expedite the healing time manifold.

Over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body require magnesium as a cofactor. It is a required element for DNA and RNA synthesis, reproduction, nerve transmission, and many other body functions.

Epsom salt is known to alleviate stress responses in your body. If you observe herpes outbreaks and stress, they are correlated with each other. Stress management should be your priority if you want your outbreaks gone forever. Scientific studies are in favor of Epsom salt to be a comprehensive stress reliever. When magnesium enters your body, it starts working against cortisol levels’ overflow to limit it to healthy levels.

Epsom salt also helps in regulating metabolic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. If you are well under the control of your metabolic disorders, the chances are for strengthened immune responses, which can directly impact the herpes virus.

List of Epsom Salt Benefits

1. Helps in Management of Herpes-Induced Pain
2. Limit Number of Herpes Outbreaks
3. Accelerates Wound Healing, Blisters
4. Dries Up The Blisters
5. Reduce Swelling and Redness
6. Helps In The Management Of Cortisol Levels
7. Helps in Regulate Metabolic Condition
8. Reduce Nerve Pain
9. Ensures Better Nerve Transmission
10. Detoxifies Your Body

Safety Measures Before Taking Epsom Salt for herpes

1. Pregnant ladies are advised to stay away from hot baths as it may interfere with your baby’s overall development.
2. People with fertility issues are best to avoid hot baths. It impacts fertility negatively.
3. People with High Blood Pressure and sugar levels are not safe from using Epsom salt baths. You better avoid it.
4. Are you suffering from kidney issues? Take doctors’ advice first before soaking into Epsom salt water.
5. Keep an eye on water temperature. Keep the thermometer with you to check for safe temperature levels.

Additional Tips

#1 First thing first, You need to buy good quality, pure Epsom Salt. Epsom salt chosen by you should be scent-free.

#2 Sometimes, bad quality Epsom salt denies dissolving in water. Therefore, selecting acceptable Epsom salt becomes necessary to leverage its optimum advantage.

#3 The product should be transparent (This ensures no additives have been mixed), quick to dissolve in water.

#4 Our recommendation would be to use Epsoak Epsom Salt for the best results.

Prerequisites

1. Natural Bristle Body Brush
2. Thermometer
3. Moisturiser
4. Washcloths
5. Essential Oils (Any)

Optional

1. Milk

A Complete Guide to Using Epsom Salt For Herpes (Bath)

1. It would be best for you to plan your bath 90 minutes before you go to bed. This will help ensure adequate time to get ready for a cozy sleep.
2. Set the running water temperature to approx. 100° Fahrenheit, which is an ideal heat to relax your muscles.
3. Add two cups of Epsom Salt to running water to let it dissolve thoroughly into the bathtub.
4. While the tub is filling with water, you should exfoliate your whole body to draw dead skin cells out. We recommend using Natural Bristle Body Brush for smooth and comfortable exfoliation. This step is necessary to help open up the skin pores for magnesium ions to absorb your body readily. This step will also help in the detoxification of your body.
5. Now you can add any essential oil of your choice, such as tea tree oil.
6. You can also add milk to the water as milk contains lactic acid, which loosens dead skin. It will ensure optimal absorption of Epsom salt into your body.
7. Put some relaxing music into the bathroom; this will help improve your mood.
8. Take at most 20 minutes of a bath as more time in Epsom Salt water might dry your skin out. 20 Minutes is enough.
9. 5 minutes before the end of bath time, rub your skin vigorously through washcloths. This step will ensure all the dead skin cells are withdrawn from your body.
10. Take a quick cold shower to rinse off any unwanted object. It will help tighten the loose muscles.
11. Pat dry your body, including herpes infected area, and if there is an outbreak, you can take assistance from a fan or let your skin naturally dry. Let your sores air dry.
12. Now apply moisturizer to prevent drying skin.

Epsom salt baths are considered safe. There isn’t any side effect reported to date. Therefore, the transdermal application of Epsom Salt is entirely safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take a Bath With a Herpes Outbreak?

Yes, it is an entirely safe practice to take a bath in outbreaks. Ensure the water isn’t too hot while taking a bath as it may aggravate your existing condition.

How Much is Epsom Salt Safe for Bath?

When you buy Epsom salt, the instructions are imprinted on the package. You should follow your doctor’s advice before using Epsom Salt. Our recommendation would be to use 1-2 cups of this mineral in a tub for those who don’t have access to medical advice.

How Long to Soak Your Body In Epsom Salt Water?

We recommend limiting the duration to at most 20 minutes if you are taking a warm Epsom Salt Bath.