Bath Salt

About Bath Salt Bath salts are water-soluble, pulverized minerals that are added to water to be used for softening and providing a pleasant fragrance for bathing. It is believed that bath salts are therapeutic, have enhanced cleansing properties, are relaxing, and serve as a vehicle for cosmetic agents. Bath salts have been developed which mimic the properties of natural mineral baths or hot springs. History China was the first to publish an organized exposition of the different kinds of salts, their uses, and methods of extraction. This took place around 2700 BC. Hippocrates encouraged his fellow healers to make use of salt water to heal various ailments by immersing their patients in sea water. The ancient Greeks continued this, and in 1753 English author and physician Charles Russel published â??The Uses of Sea Water Substances often labeled as bath salts include magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), sodium chloride (table salt), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon, amorphous/glassy sodium metaphosphate), sodium sesquicarbonate, borax, and sodium citrate. Glycerin, or liquid glycerin, is another common ingredient in bath salts. FACT #2 FACT #3 Effects Bath salts have been touted with a myriad of health benefits including easing muscle cramps and stimulating circulation. Some bath salts containing phosphates have a detergent action that softens calloused skin and aids in exfoliation (cleaning off dead skin cells). In addition to cleaning off dead skin cells, bath salts can also detoxify the largest eliminatory organ of the body, the skin. Bath salts can also act as water softeners and change the way soap rinses. Some confusion may arise for bathers after their first experience in a bath with soft water. Soap does not lather well with hard water and can leave a sticky feeling. Soft water lathers better than hard water but feels slippery for a longer time during rinsing of soap, even though the soap is coming off faster, because the soap remains soluble. Researchers have also studied their use in treating arthritis.