A Complete Guide to Magnesium Flakes
Posted by The Salt Box on 12th Apr 2018
If you’ve read any of our guides to bath salts, you may have noticed one magic little ingredient that they all have in common: magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays an important role in over 300 biochemical functions in the body. It is also one of the most common mineral deficiencies found in adults, and many heath professional recommend taking a supplement to ensure our bodies are getting enough.
For those looking to supplement their magnesium intake, or enjoy the health benefits of a relaxing salt bath, magnesium flakes are an excellent choice. While magnesium is an important dietary element, we want to focus on how you can use magnesium flakes in the bath as a way of absorbing the mineral transdermally. This has a range of incredible detoxifying and calming effects on your body, from soothing skin conditions, to relieving aches and pains.
ABOUT THE TRANSDERMAL ABSORPTION OF MINERALS
The skin has three primary functions: controlling our body temperature, serving as a barrier between our bodies and the outside world, and detoxification. And all three of these functions rely on the passage of substances through the dermis. Our skin is very porous, and these tiny openings allow sweat, oils and toxins to exit the body, and for substances to be absorbed. Although it may seem like a relatively new-age concept, you can trace the history of humans using the skin as a way of absorbing important minerals back thousands of years. Mineral baths have been lauded for their restorative and therapeutic benefits since Ancient times. Natural hot mineral springs can be found all over the world, and have been enjoyed by everyone from the Ancient Greeks to the British. And acknowledgements of the health benefits of mineral baths can be found in texts ranging from Homer’s Odyssey to tales of the fabled Fountain of Youth.
THE BENEFITS OF A MAGNESIUM FLAKE BATH Magnesium salt baths have a range of benefits for your body. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and soaking in magnesium-enriched water is an incredibly efficient way to absorb the mineral and reap its rewards. A magnesium salt bath can help: Reduce inflammation Remove toxins and heavy metals at a cellular level Relieve bodily stress and fatigue Improve circulation and blood flow Soothe skin conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis and dermatitis Relieve joint pain With relaxation Improve skin hydration Fight infection Soothe the symptoms of osteoporosis and arthritis Magnesium salt baths are also ideal for children or those with particularly sensitive skin as the sulfates and other minerals found in Epsom salts and Dead Sea salts can be irritating for some.
USING MAGNESIUM FLAKES IN A BATH
A long soak in a warm magnesium flake bath is an incredibly soothing way to utilise the therapeutic benefits of magnesium. There are two ways that you enjoy a soak: in your bathtub, or in a foot bath. For a relaxing bath soak, add roughly two cups of magnesium flakes to warm water in a standard-sized bathtub. Double the amount for an oversized garden tub. Soak for 20 minutes or more. For specific symptoms, repeat 3 times per week for 2-4 weeks. For a restorative foot bath, fill a tub with warm water, add roughly ¾ of a cup per 10 litres. Once the flakes have dissolved, immerse your feet for 20 minutes or more then pat dry with a soft towel. Again, if you have ongoing symptoms, repeat 3 times per week for 2-4 weeks. If you enjoy a very hot bath, tone it down if you’re using magnesium flake, as this can affect the efficacy of the minerals.