If you are like most people then you have probably woken up early in the morning and spent additional 1-20 minutes rolling in the bed. You finally got out of bed when the second or maybe third alarm signaled that it is time to wake up for real. This is when you finally put your feet on the ground and start your day.
However, in some cases, this is where the real problems begin.
You may experience pain when you place your foot on the ground. Sometimes it appears to be intense pain in the heel while in other cases it is more like a throb concentrated in the toes or dull pain in the foot’s arch. It is possible that you have not experienced such pain, but this doesn’t mean that you won’t notice it tomorrow.
In some cases, you may have experienced it in the past, but you were fine for a while.
Most people witness this issue in the so-called periods of transition. For example, when they switch from warm boots to shoes used in spring and when they replace the shoes with sandals or flip flops.
In some people, this problem is so serious that they have to perform foot stretching every morning so they can work normally. On top of that, this practice doesn’t solve this problem regularly, but it provides relief.
Let’s be clear, this problem is not something new because people have had problems with their feet since ancient times. So, it is not a surprise why many old people know some great natural remedies that have proven to be helpful for many people.
Many of them claim that an Epsom salt foot soak mixed with some apple cider vinegar can do wonders for your feet. You should definitely try this remedy because you don’t have anything to lose except time.
If you think that this remedy is just something left from the past when people didn’t know better, you should think twice because there is a logical explanation for why Epsom salt foot bath works.
The Science Behind Epsom Salt and Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Bath
We must take a few things into consideration:
Hot Water
People have used hot water as a natural remedy for a myriad of health issues for hundreds of years. Many nations in Europe and Asia relied on hot springs when they wanted to heal certain health problems like tuberculosis and arthritis.
Even though there is a small chance that hot water can actually cure tuberculosis, it is true that hot water can ease the tension in the muscles and relieve pressure and stress that they create directly in the bones. This heat created by hot water encourages blood flow for improved health.
It turns out that water soothes the compression of joints making sufficient space found between joints so they can stop grinding against each other.
It is also good to know that warming better is much more beneficial than hot water. So, you should not try to use water that is above your body temperature. Use water under 39 C or 102 D. you can measure it with the help of a body thermometer.
In case it is very hot, you can expect higher blood pressure and challenge your heart work.
When you soak your feet in the water, perform some foot stretches and toe curls for the best results.
Epsom Salts
In case you didn’t know, Epsom salts are packed with magnesium. This essential mineral can make you feel relaxed, aid the process of detoxification, and aid the body get the most calcium absorbed through food.
In addition, they are rich in sulfates too. If you find the right balance between magnesium and sulfates, the body can experience some amazing health benefits like:
- Boosted circulatory and heart health, avoiding improper heart rhythm, staying safe from hardening in the arteries, lowering blood clots, and stabilizing blood pressure.
- Increased bodily ability to utilize insulin, lowering the chances of developing diabetes and easing the symptoms of diabetes.
- Eliminating chemicals, heavy metals, and toxins from all the cells, soothing muscle cramps and pain, and aiding the body’s efforts to remove dangerous compounds.
- Strengthened nerve function with the help of electrolyte management. In addition, calcium is the most important conductor when it comes to electrical current in the human body while magnesium is crucial for keeping optimal calcium levels in the bloodstream.
- Elimination of stress. A high amount of adrenaline and stress is associated with magnesium depletion in the body. Magnesium is very important for the production of serotonin which is a natural chemical associated with our mood. If the serotonin levels are good, the brain makes us feel well and relaxed.
- Eased inflammation, muscle cramps, and pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar provides anti-fungal effects. It is also a great natural moisturizer and eliminates odor linked to feet.
In case you are dealing with an unpleasant foot odor or you have developed a so-called athlete’s foot, you should definitely include apple cider vinegar in your bath.
As an additional benefit, apple cider vinegar is able to make your feet softer and heal cracked and damaged skin. A scrub based on apple cider vinegar can help you with exfoliation too.
The Foot Bath Recipe
Ingredients:
- Two cups of apple cider vinegar
- ½ gallon of nearly hot water
- ½ cup of Epsom salt.
Instructions:
Take all the ingredients and mix them well in a tub or a large bowl and put your feet in the mixture. Keep them soaked until the water becomes cold. Perform this procedure at least once in seven days.
Via Well and Good