Who takes the time to properly pamper their feet? It’s safe to say that most people neglect their feet, despite the fact that they stand or walk around on them all day. We’re here to tell you to love your feet! They deserve the same attention you give your facial skin.
Sometimes you just need to sit back in a comfortable chair and soak your feet in a soothing bath. Soaking your feet in a tub of warm water, Epsom salt, and other ingredients after a long day is the ultimate form of relaxation. Not only does a foot soak help to hydrate the skin (helping you avoid dryness), but it also helps decrease pain and inflammation. Depending on the concoction of the foot soak, it may even help to prevent bacteria from infecting blisters, cuts, or settling under toenails.
Benefits Of Epsom Salt For Feet
Epsom salt is the combination of sulfate and magnesium, and it does wonders for your feet. As your feet absorb the magnesium, pain-reducing ions release into the body, relaxing muscles and nerves. This works to reduce pain, improve nerve and muscle function, and regulate electrolyte levels. The sulfate has been known to target harmful toxins in the body and aid with their elimination. You can find a few more benefits of Epsom salt below.
Increased Circulation
When the body absorbs the minerals from the Epsom salt, they travel through the body and help improve circulation. They do this by pumping blood through veins and arteries, helping to relieve stress. The increased circulation in your feet may also help combat swelling, cramps, or pain. Often times, cramps and soreness can be the result of magnesium deficiency, and Epsom salt is a great source of magnesium.
Excellent Sanitizer
Callouses on feet are incredibly common, and that’s because they take a beating every day. When you soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath, the minerals help to remove dead skin and work to increase softness in the process. Epsom salt also gets under the nails and in the nooks and crannies of callouses or cracks, keeping your feet clean and nourished.
Great For Skin
According to several studies, Epsom salt exhibits anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties, which help reduce the risk of skin infections. Athlete’s foot or toenail fungus are two common skin disorders, and they can be quite uncomfortable. Regular Epsom salt foot baths may help decrease the risk of infection, or help get rid of existing fungal infections.
DIY Peppermint Foot Soak
Ingredients:
- 2 peppermint tea bags
- 1/8 cup baking soda
- 1 cup Epsom salt
Instructions:
- Cut open the tea bags and empty the contents into a food processor along with the baking soda and Epsom salt.
- Pulse for about one minute to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients.
- Pour the blended mixture into an eight-ounce Mason jar and screw on the lid. Store in a cool dry place until ready to use.
How To Use:
- Take one tablespoon of the peppermint mixture and add it to a small foot bath.
- Soak your feet in the bath for about 15 minutes. You can thank us later.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.