Bath salt is a natural alternative to salt. Salt has been used for many years as an inexpensive and simple way to treat physical and mental health conditions. Salt, which is often made out of sea salt or magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), are also easily dissolved into warm bathwater and used as a treatment for anything from pain to aches.
The use of dead sea salt has been a popular alternative for centuries. For example, in the early 1900's, a study in the British Medical Journal reported that doctors in India used a mixture of the minerals present in salt to treat urinary problems and other urinary complaints. The scientists were impressed by the results of this experiment, which they attributed to the high concentration of magnesium sulfate in the salt. Soon thereafter, the doctors in India began to make their own formulations, and eventually mass produce bath salt.
Today, the most popular form of bath salt is bath salt derived from dead sea salt. Dead Sea salt is highly absorbent. It draws moisture from the skin, relieving dryness and itching. After a good wash, dead sea salt is even more effective as a natural moisturizer, as it can soften the skin without causing any discomfort.
In the United States, however, bath salts derived from sea salt are more commonly used. However, the difference between sea salt and Epsom salt is not always clear. While Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral, sea salt is derived from seawater and must be purified before it becomes usable as a topical or therapeutic supplement.
There is some debate about whether or not bath salts derived from seawater actually contain any therapeutic benefits. Many proponents of the practice claim that sea salt has properties that have the ability to stimulate natural healing mechanisms and improve the functioning of the immune system.
One active ingredient in sea salt is iodine, a substance that helps regulate blood pressure and is also helpful in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Other proponents claim that sea salt has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity and that helps fight off infections. If sea salt contains iodine, then the treatment is probably considered "iodized."
Some people are concerned that the presence of an active ingredient like iodine in bath salt might lead to allergies or sensitivity to salt. While this is possible, it would be best not to depend solely on the presence of an active ingredient as a way of judging whether or not a product is truly safe for your skin.
The biggest problem with sea salt is that its concentration is far too low to be of any benefit for topical application. For one thing, sea salt contains just six milligrams of sodium chloride per teaspoon. Compare this to twenty-one milligrams of sodium per teaspoon in commercially available deionized water.
This means that sea salt only reaches your skin at a very low temperature, making it ineffective as a topical remedy at a normal body temperature. This is why a lot of skin care products containing sea salt tend to be sold at room temperature. The lack of heat makes sea salt ineffective as a moisturizer at almost any other temperature, making it a poor choice for use around the eyes, the lips, or the skin around the mouth.
What makes it an ideal solution for a sea salt bath is that it has been enriched with magnesium sulfate. This compound is responsible for the effectiveness of the therapeutic benefits of sea salt as a moisturizer. This added element encourages the production of a substance called MgSO4.
MgSO4 is a natural antiseptic, which means it can kill the bacteria in the skin and help fight off infection. In fact, most commercial bath salt preparations contain this compound as a preservative. When added to water, magnesium sulfate helps to neutralize bacteria that causes athlete's foot, ringworm, ringworm, acne, and even staph infections. In addition to killing bacteria, MgSO4 kills parasites as well.
As you can see, there is no real benefit to using sea salt water for cleansing purposes. The only advantage is that it is relatively inexpensive, but the amount of money you will spend on salt is far too expensive for most people's budgets.