Are Epsom salts ok to use in spas? A warning for spa owners

Epsom salts have long been thought to have a number of healing properties which is why many people find relief soaking in water with Epsom salts. That being said – you should never add them to your spa or swim spa.

Epsom salts in spa pool warning

Epsom salts were first named for a saline spring in Surrey, England and have the chemical composition of Magnesium Sulphate which is an Alkaline chemical compound.

They have long been thought to have a number of healing properties which is why many people find relief soaking in water with Epsom salts added to it.

Can I put Epsom salts in my spa pool?

In short, no. You should never put Epsom salts in either your spa or swim spa.

Here's why...

Salt levels above 1500 ppm can be corrosive in a spa depending on the pH. The recommended level to get the most from Epsom salts is 20,000ppm. Yes, you read that correctly. This means one of the metals will be corroded, quite often the heater element or parts of the pump.

It's perfectly ok to use Epsom salts in your bathtub or foot bath where you drain and change the water with every use. But never add it to your spa pool water.

What can I use instead of epsom salts or magnesium in my spa pool?

While you should never put epsom salts or magnesium in your spa, the good news is there are some very good, spa-safe products you can use instead.

For example, MagnaSpa™ is an excellent alternative to epsom salts and it is designed to be used in spa pools. It contain magnesium but with a salt content that’s low enough to be harmless to your spa.

Important: If you choose to use MagnaSpa™, it is to be used in addition to an approved sanitiser, it does not replace the need for spa sanitiser.

How does Epsom and healing salt work?

Epsom Salts were first named for a saline spring in Surrey, England and have the chemical composition of Magnesium Sulphate which is an Alkaline chemical compound.

The magnesium content in Epsom salts is transdermal (able to cross through the skin and into the body), and can help to relax sore muscles, irritated nervous systems, and to oxygenate the body.

It is proposed that roughly 85% of all humans are magnesium deficient. This, of course, leads to lower oxygenation in the body, which can make us more tired and less resistant to many harmful states.

The Sulphur component in the Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salts) is able to pass through the skin and helps to accumulate oxygen in the system while dissolving the lactic acid in the tissues. This makes for less soreness and an overall greater feeling of wellness.

There are many other countless health benefits including helping to alleviate skin problems, healing cuts or scrapes, treating cold and congestion in the bodies’ tissues, and drawing toxins from the body on many levels.

Magnesium ions can help relax the mind reducing irritability by downregulating the effects of adrenaline on the nervous system. Clinical studies show that Epsom salt can help balance electrolytes in your body, ensuring the proper functioning of the muscles, nerves and enzymes in the body.

Magnesium can also help with calcium balances in the body that serve to conduct electrical impulses throughout the body. Some studies and clinical use of Magnesium sulphate has shown to improve the vascular system by increasing circulation, preventing blood clots, and reducing the possibility of heart attack and strokes.

The evidence in the last sentence is noted for things observed clinically but does in no way say that it prevents these health issues from occurring. Proper levels of Magnesium sulphate have been seen to also assist with insulin efficiency in the body helping with insulin resistance and diabetes.

Remember: Use these salt for healing in your bathtub only and do not use them in your spa or swim spa.

By Dr. Kyle Neely

DISCLAIMER: The advice given in the blogs is about creating new ideas and possibilities that people might not have thought of for helping themselves. Some of the ideas are from recent or past research, some are from helping patients find solutions in clinical settings, and some are things that have worked for several patients. The main point is that we are not diagnosing your condition, its level, the many symptoms and issues that can come with any disorder, and making direct recommendations to your specific condition. These ideas are meant to spark ideas that you can discuss with your health practitioner and get direct advice on your specific condition. This gives you the greatest level of protection and knowing that if you take the ideas and put them into practice that they will not harm you in any way. Be Well and Choose Happiness.

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