There’s nothing better than a warm bath after a long day — except maybe dissolving a cup or two of Epsom salt in the water as well. Find out what makes bath salts such a hit!

Epsom salt is a common home remedy for all sorts of aches and pains, and many people also use it as a stress or anxiety reliever. Simply add some to your bath, sit back, and relax. If you’re curious to know more about the uses and benefits of Epsom salt, this handy guide will get you all filled in.

What is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is a chemical compound called magnesium sulphate that is named after the town of Epsom in England, where it was discovered in a spring. Like table salt, it dissolves in water. Unlike table salt, it has a bitter and unpalatable taste.

When dissolved in water, the compound breaks down into magnesium and sulphate. Many of the purported benefits of Epsom salt are attributed to the magnesium — it’s a mineral that many people can’t get enough of. The theory is that the magnesium is absorbed through the skin, providing beneficial effects.

How to Use Epsom Salt

The most common way to use Epsom salt is to dissolve it in a warm bath. You don’t want the water to be too hot, as it should be comfortable to soak in. If you want the salt to dissolve faster, add it while the water is still running.

For a standard-sized tub, simply follow the instructions on the packaging, which will usually recommend adding one or two cups to the water. Using too much is not dangerous, but it isn’t thought to offer any additional benefits and may dry out your skin.

3 Common Uses of Epsom Salt

Here are three of the most common uses of Epsom salt that people swear by.

1. Pain Relief

Epsom salt is often recommended to help relieve muscle pain, soreness, stiffness, inflammation, and discomfort. Some also use it to help their muscles recover after a workout. While we don’t have conclusive clinical evidence for these effects, there is mounting anecdotal evidence and testimonials from people who use Epsom salt for these purposes. A warm bath itself is a great way to soothe sore muscles, and adding Epsom salt won’t cause any harm.

2. Stress Relief

A warm bath can also help reduce stress and anxiety as it encourages you to take a moment to breathe, sink into the water, and let your worries melt away. The added soothing effects of Epsom salt and the fact that it is often available in relaxing scents can add to the experience. It is an easy way to carve out some much-needed “you” time.

3. Better Sleep

Pain and stress are some of the top reasons people have trouble sleeping. Help yourself wind down as it gets closer to bedtime by taking a nightly Epsom salt soak. You’ll feel calmer, more relaxed, and ready to hit the hay. As some people take magnesium orally to aid with sleep, it is thought that absorbing it through the skin may have similar effects as well.

Since Epsom salt is safe for anybody to use, there’s no harm in giving it a try and seeing if you can reap some of the benefits that many others claim to enjoy.