The Link Between Using Bath Salts and High Blood Pressure
Bath salts are a collection of cosmetic designer drugs derived from magnesium chloride. The name derives from cases where the medicines were disguised as bath salt. The salts, powders, or crystals can resemble Epsom salts by chemical composition, but are different chemically. They were popular with people who used bath salts for the scent and sometimes to enhance sexual performance.
The FDA did not approve bath salts as drugs, but instead placed them into a category of cosmetics. That classification allowed them to be sold as over-the-counter medications. The problem with that is bath salt is a drug, albeit a very easy one. It can cause dizziness, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and vomiting, depending on its concentration. That’s why most of the users of this drug must be closely monitored to prevent accidental overdose or allergic reaction.
The therapeutic properties of various essential oils are also derived from plants, and salts derived from them are commonly used as a natural remedy for dry skin and hair. A natural alternative to bath salt is to mix one teaspoon of lavender essential oils in two cups of cool water. The fragrant oil is diluted before applying it to the body. Itchy skin and scalps should be washed with this solution after using a bath salt.
Other effective alternative uses of bath salt include as a foot soak and shower scrub. In the foot soak, a few drops of essential oil may be added to a shallow bathtub filled with water. The soaking water should be allowed to soak the feet until the essential oil has been completely absorbed. Then the feet should be wrapped in a towel and taken for a short walk in the park or along the beach. Shower scrubs are applied directly to the body, but a few drops of the essential oil should still be present in the water for the ultimate foot soak experience.
One more bath use is to add small amounts of fresh pink sea salt to a pot of boiling water. For best results, the pink sea salt should be dissolved thoroughly in the hot liquid prior to adding it to cosmetic products. This will help to prevent burning of the eyes and mouth, which can be exacerbated if essential oils or lavender fragrance is used. Pink sea salt has an antiseptic effect on stinging insects such as mosquitoes and itching rashes. Some people have noticed a slight decrease in allergic reactions to perfumes while using this bath treatment. However, it should be noted that this effect is only temporary, so it’s not recommended for individuals with a propensity towards allergies.
MDPV or Monostat is a synthetic derivative of vitamin P, a well-known skin condition. Commonly known as carpal tunnel syndrome, this condition is characterized by pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness around the wrists, forearms, and fingers. Common drug therapies include paracetamol and NSAIDs, both of which are known to cause gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea. More recently, scientists have been focusing on the healing properties of bath water, specifically mDPV and its derivatives.
A number of studies done on the link between bath salt use and mental health have not concluded that there is any correlation between the two. One of the biggest reasons cited by scientists is that the vast majority of patients who take the medication show improvement shortly after their first intake. There have also been a number of case reports that have highlighted the positive effects of the drug on anxiety and depression, although these studies were performed on a small group of patients. It is also widely reported that patients who develop symptoms related to the herpes simplex virus, which is the major cause of cold sores and flu complications, respond favorably to therapy with MDPV.
It is important to note that the link between using bath salts and high blood pressure is still an inconclusive one. More research is needed in order to verify its effectiveness as a treatment for hypertension. The positive benefits that it exerts on the skin should be enough of a reason to encourage more researchers to carry out further studies on its healing properties. Besides, bathing regularly in a warm, non-stagnant solution can help keep dead cells and bodily fluids from collecting in the skin, which can lead to clogged arteries and other serious medical conditions. To learn more about alternative remedies for common ailments, log on to Health Benefits of Natural Bath Salts now.