Does anyone know where I can buy large amounts of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate). Back in Australia, Epsom salt is available from most supermarkets for approximately $4 per 1kg.

In case you are wondering, I am using it in a bath to relieve aches and pains. It is cheap and very effective.

For those who are interested:

Magnesium: a powerful vasodilator required for proper muscle function, as well as neuromuscular coordination. It prevents the muscles from going into spasm resulting from strenuous activity.
Sulphate: improves elimination & detoxification from the increased metabolic waste resulting from physical activity, and therefore improves recovery time.
Together they also combat inflammation which occurs in the body all the time, but at a greater rate after strenuous exercise.

How to use it:
For general maintenance to prevent muscle stiffness and improve recovery time, use 3-4 cups in a bath once or twice a week. Gently kneed your tight muscles while in the bath.

Try the apotheke (pharmacy) or the reformhaus (health food store)...

In the meantime you could try using ordinary bath salts...most have mag sulfate in them...

you could also try bicarb soda, stops you from getting quite so wrinkly when soaking for a long time...

So how's magnesium assimilated through the skin?

Perhaps it's time to revive one of this forum's all time greatest threads on detoxification...^^

Anywhere that sells horse supplies should stock it. Your local pet food store might too.

This is an interesting one.

I sometimes get bad cramping in the back of legs when sleeping (I do a lot of MT biking, so give me legs some abuse), which caused the muscles to ache for a couple of day.

I usually take magnesium after this which helps, but I wouldn't mind trying out Epsom salts for the reasons mentioned.

This could help me out too.

Phil.

The German word for Epsom salt is Bittersalz.

The pharmacy at Bellevue sells 100g for Fr 4.60. I need 500g for each bath. A bit expensive for a bath.

I will have a look at the pet store, health food store and garden centers. Perhaps they might sell larger quantities for a cheaper price.

Back home, I knew several athletics who would use an Epsom salt bath to recover from intense training. I found this site that might interest you: http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/health_benefits.htm

Sorry can't help you on this but perhaps this site might help you find the answer to your question. http://www.mgwater.com/transdermal.shtml

A recent study conducted by the University of Birmingham indicates elevated blood levels of magnesium and sulfate after bathing in epsom salts. However, there were no findings concerning the mechanism, or the therapeutic effects. [EDIT: Just noted this is the same study Uno posted above]

On a related note, here's a good article on aiding recovery after your workouts.

Uno: Please keep us updated if you find a good source for epsom salts

Hi Uno

Did you manage to track some down?

Why do horses use Epsom Salt?

S

For exactly the same reasons the OP uses it - aches and pains. An epsom salt poultice will also draw out infection. Good for dogs when they get something stuck in their feet too.

Hi,

For those who are interested,

Morgental Apotheke, (the Drogorie)
Albisstrasse 44
8038 Zurich
tel: 043 399 88 66
Tram 7, Bus 33 or 66 stop at Morgental

will sell you 1 kg of Bittersalz, Magnesium Sulfate for 12.60 SFr.

Enjoy.

careful there. if you actually take the epsom salts, it is a good idea to keep close to certain facilities.

Thanks for this information! Was importing it from SA. Now I can go and look at an Apothek. Thanks alot! Greets

Garden Centres, I buy mine from there for my citrus plants. They normally sell in 1kg bags though, quite a bit.

I use it after exercise too. In the French region it's called Sel d'Angelterre and is sold by the kilo at pharmacies.

The nice thing about it here is that it's ground finely rather than the cylindrical grains you normally find with Epsom Salt. It dissolves much faster.

I just had a local reformhaus quote me 91.00 CHF for 5 Kilos! When I was obviously shocked and didn't want to order from him he started telling me that it is because I make much more money here in Switzerland so it should be a perfectly acceptable price. Since I'm used to paying around $10. CDN per kilo I can't help but think that this guy drank the coolaid.

I use 3-4 kg cooking salt, i belive it works as good as epsom salt or even better than 500g epsom salt. For muscle cramps a mineral drink (i think water is good enough) for replacing the lack of minerals, carefully warming up and streching before and after your exercise helps in my opinion the most.

I think i've seen some in Coop Baumarkt , near the swimming pool section they had in the summer.

I remeber it as Epsom salts were one of the things we sold to Spa's back in my old job.

I love epsom salt baths as well and you do need several cups per bath. In the UK I found a companay called Just a Soap - for bulk prices (great for massage oils as well)

http://www.justasoap.co.uk/catalog/f...0573017b2d8ddd

But they don't have Switzerland on their list of countries - might be worth asking though.

The benefit of Epsom salts comes from the magnesium - so table salt (sodium chloride) just wouldn't be the same - although may have benefits of its own??? Dead sea salts contain a mix of minerals - I usually throw a couple handfuls of Dead Sea salts into the bath with the Epsom salts.

I have tried Epsom salt several times, but i got an itchy and drye feeling skin. Table salt is cheap and everywhere available, so why should i spend a lot more on sea or bath salt when its exatly the same. I belive it is even better because it comes from an very old and unpollutet environment.