Midwest Mary

When something continues to work easily and economically for centuries, it’s likely because there are good reasons for its use. Epsom salts is one of those old, tried and true solutions. Many homes have stashed the product in their bathrooms since its discovery more than 400 years ago.

In 1618, a man named Henry Wicker was tending his cattle in the town of Epsom, England. Wicker realized that the cattle were not drinking from a particular spring. Upon further investigation, he found that the water tasted bitter and left a white, salty residue. He also discovered that the animals’ wounds healed faster after exposure to the water. The water had a laxative property, as well.

The white residue was later identified as magnesium sulfate, and the town of Epson soon became a destination for travelers seeking health benefits from the healing and relaxing waters. After decades of disputes over rights to the spring, its water, and health benefits, the town’s popularity ceased.

However, “Epsom salts” continued to be used as a bath additive for muscle pain and skin ailments. In fact, my functional medicine doctor recently recommended that I take “soaking baths” with it added to the water. She said that the magnesium in Epsom salts helps regulate neurotransmitters related to sleep and stress reduction, and it acts as an antioxidant, which is helpful for detoxification.

The recommendation is to fill a bathtub with warm water. Add one to two cups of Epsom salts, and soak for up to 40 minutes. The first 20 minutes are said to draw out toxins, while during the remaining time, minerals are absorbed.

I am too impatient to spend 40 minutes in the tub, but I have found that I sleep well after an Epsom salt bath for even half the time. Most likely, this is because the salt water eliminates the muscle pain that I often have from fibromyalgia and Lyme disease.

I prefer a shower over a bath, but I also prefer a natural way to ease the pain rather than taking prescription medication. My doctor recommends the brand, Ancient Minerals, which consists of magnesium flakes rather than crystals and dissolves easily.

We’re all in a hurry, but we have more time to do what we want when we take a few minutes for our personal health. As I remind my caregiving friends, we can’t care for anyone else if we don’t care for ourselves.

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Do you enjoy poetry? You may like to read my book, Tranquility Transformation Transcendence and a collection of poetry from a variety of poets, Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku.

©Mary K. Doyle, 2025