Epsom Salts..

Hurt something? We're told to soak it in Epsom Salts..
But why? How can soaking in something make something on the inside feel better?
Now if you have planters warts you soak em in epsom salts they die.. that makes sense.
But you hurt your foot like a sprain and they say soak in epsom salts.. why?
How does it help? anyone know? Why is that more beneficial than just hot water?

Why not soak in Jello? or Chicken soup?

[Cruez]

How about whipped cream or milk??

[fatal xception]

This is what I found:

2. Pehabilitation (prevention) These salts baths can be taken anytime you want at any time of the day or night. And may be taken several times each day if desired.
1. Increase the healing process by 1/3 the normal rate
2. An additional energy charging-up process for the body when going into
high levels of mental and physical activity

from:
http://www.racingsmarter.com/epsom_salts.htm

Epsom salts taken as a bath promotes perspiration and draws acidic wastes - mainly uric acid - through the pores of the skin. This all helps to relieve pain.

from:
http://www.herb.co.za/HEALTH/Remedies/bath01.htm

I couldn't find any hard scientific fact.

Maybe it is a "just becasue".

That's kind of what I'm wondering..
The doc that told me to do it, said "It opens your pores" and I thougth.. So?

ok, off to the store for Epsom salts!

[Theophylact]

Osmosis. The higher ionic content of the salt bath relative to your intracellular fluid causes water to flow across the semipermeable membranes of your cells into the salt solution, lowering the swelling (edema). Same reason you rinse your mouth with warm salt water after oral surgery to reduce the swelling.

Capeesh?

[Knothead]

Very interesting. I've wondered about that, too.

[Theophylact]

(I guess that's why people are always telling me to go soak my head...)

Same reason you rinse your mouth with warm salt water after oral surgery to reduce the swelling.

Hmm I thought that was because things can't grow and live in salt water that could normally live and grow.. (had to say that so no one would bring up fish and coral )

[alondra]

Back during the depression, we used salt and baking soda to brush our teeth, vicks vaporub, was big too . a little smeared under the nose cleared your head, some of grandmas remedys were very effective and much cheaper

Don't forget the Vicks rubbed on your chest.
Ya know, not too long ago I was looking for some Musterole but couldn't find any.