Epsom Salt Flush
This article covers
Epsom salt origin + composition
Common laxatives and why they’re not great
Top Tips for an effective clear out
What to eat and what not to eat around the cleanse
origin
In 1618 Epsom Salt was first discovered bubbling up from a spring in the English town Epsom, in Surrey. They noticed cattle wouldn’t drink the spring water and people reported it tasted bitter. It was later discovered that as it evaporated it turned into salt and a laxative effect occurred, which later became a natural treatment for constipation. People would travel far and wide to reap the benefits of what latterly became known as the ‘Spa town’ either bathing in their rich Epsom Salt waters, or drinking it for its laxative effects.
epsom salt’s composition
Epsom salts is very similar to that of table salt, but it’s not to be confused as the same thing as the composition is completely different.
Table salt is sodium chloride. Epsom salt’s is magnesium sulfate. A combination of magnesium, sulfate, and oxygen.
It’s the magnesium content we can thank for the laxative benefits. Check out my article The Importance of Magnesium for its scientific benefits, how it affects the body and the symptoms and diseases it can alleviate.
Common Laxatives
There are many different types of laxatives, some work on breaking down the matter (the poop) in your intestines, while others work on stimulating the action of peristalsis (contraction and release of the bowel).
Bulk-forming laxatives
Bulk-forming laxatives (such as fibres or psyllium husk) are probably some of the worst kind. These absorb water in the bowel and swell to bulk out the stool with the intent to making it softer and easier to pass, but generally has the opposite effect and clogs you up further.
Emollient stool softeners
Emollient or stool softeners moisten, such as docusate sodium, docusate calcium, DulcoLax, DulcoEase lubricate the stool making it easier to pass. Softeners act by pulling water and fat to the stool, making it easier to pass. Generally only effective for mild constipation as it’s a very gentle approach.
Hyperosmotic laxative
Hyperosmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol and glycerin) are also fairly gentle and slow acting. They work by drawing water into your intestines to help soften the stool to help it move more easily.
Stimulant laxatives
Stimulant laxatives, like herbal Senna (sennosides) and bisacodyl as they irritate the bowel lining, causing peristalsis. The downside of these is they can cause cramping.
Lubricant laxative
Lubricant laxatives are oil based. Castor oil derives from the castor plant, where as mineral oil is from petroleum and a chemically derived. Magnesium hydroxide also another oil based lubricant. Castor oil also stimulates peristalsis really effective other than a saline laxative.
saline laxatives
A saline laxative has an Osmotic effect by drawing fluid from the body into the bowel helping to soften the stools and break down compacted matter without cramping. Magnesium sulphate (Epsom Salts), magnesium citrate and magnesium hydroxide are all saline laxatives and I find one of the most effective types.
Epsom Salt Benefits
an overview
✔ DIGESTIVE eases bloating, constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps. Aiding incomplete clear outs and ‘pencil poo’.
✔ Promotes SHORTENED VILI HEALING in the small intestines.
✔ MUSCLE RELAXANT good for easing sore muscles after exercise.
✔ INFLAMMATION fibromyalgia, arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis).
✔ PAINS helps to ease headaches, migraines and sciatica.
✔ HORMONES can reduce painful crampy periods.
✔ Boosts the IMMUNE SYSTEM.
✔ Clears PATHOGENS; viruses, bacteria and parasites.
✔ Boosts ENERGY, easing burnout and exhaustion.
✔ Reduces CRAVINGS, so good to do before embarking on an elimination diet.
✔ BOWEL aids healing for diseases such as colitis, diverticulitis, or IBS.
✔ Can address the possible root cause of MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY temporarily.
✔ Often used as an ADRENAL TONIC to reduce adrenal fatigue.
✔ Epsom salts is APPROVED BY FDA for use as a laxative.
Epsom Salts helps to draw out pathogens from the cells, meaning there's less of a die off period. Most para-cleanses kill the bug inside you causing their cells to explode and releases their toxins in your system, making you feel worse and making it harder for your body to expel and return to wellness again.
The Method
Top Tips
for an effective cleanse
LOO PRIVACY - You're best to do the detox when you've got clear access to a loo and some privacy so you can relax and release fully.
FRAGRANT - You may need incense sticks as the clear outs can be pretty sulphuric!
BEST TIME - The best time to do an Epsom cleanse is in the morning when your stomach is empty.
WATER - As the method involves drawing water into the intestine plenty of water is vital to avoid dehydration. Drink a 1 litre of water immediately as this will help draw water to your intestines. Then a further litre throughout the day.
VITAMIN C - Add vitamin C powder to the water to help activate the salts. I prefer powders as they have no added nasty’s or sugars, Ascorbic Acid, Baobab, or Camu Camu powder work really well.
FOODS - Keep your food light, soups, salads, veggies and fruits. Nothing heavy the day of the flush. Eat only if/when hungry. Broths are a great option, a homemade veggie or bone broth will boost your collagen and electrolytes.
NO GRAINS - Grains will only clog you up, when your aim is the opposite and only small amount of potato or carby veg.
OILS - Up your oil intake, be it Olive Oil, Cod Liver Oil or Evening Primrose oil.
NAUSEA - Depending on how backed up you are and how quickly the cleanse works, often due to release of toxins you can feel sick. If so, please wait to eat until it passes. Or sip on ginger tea.
EFFECTIVITY - If you get sputtery movements, i.e. it’s not a complete empty out, I would repeat a lesser dose the following day. Sometimes it takes 12 hours to work through. In which case there was likely a blockage or compacted matter, otherwise it will be fairly immediate (within 1-2 hours of taking).
What to eat
during your flush
You’re best to keep it light. Broths; veggie or bone, homemade, or miso soups are all really good. Salads are great and any fruits and veggies. Fresh juices are good too, which you can use as meal replacements if you’re not feeling so hungry.
Try not to overeat the day of the cleanse. I actually tend to fast (other than consuming liquids), as it allows the digestive system to rest and the detox to take precedence.
However, please don’t be afraid to eat meat the day of the flush, esp beef as it’s good to replenish the iron you either may have lost from the cleanse, or didn’t have enough stores in the first place.
Just listen to your gut. If it is bloated and sore, eat moderately, if you feel fine, eat as normal, just avoiding refined carbohydrates.
Foods to avoid
Avoid refined carbohydrates, grains; pasta, rice, bread, pastries, anything processed, or sugars 1-2 days either side of the cleanse.
Aftercare
water, cravings & gut bacteria
Once you've had some good clear outs, keep on drinking 1-2 litres of water a day and eat as clean as you can for as long as you can! You should notice a reduction in cravings too. As the more toxins we hold, the more we crave.
So as you flush your bowels, you can literally feel your mind let go of the crap that was in it!
You will need to up your good bacteria again, so fermented foods are a must. However, please don’t be tempted to get a probiotic in a supplement form, they can do more harm then good when not truly needed.
It is usually as simple as upping fermented foods; Sauerkraut, pickled gherkins, pickled cucumbers, live plain yogurt (unsweetened if possible), kimchi, kombucha, miso soups and apple cider vinegar (with mother) in some water to repopulate the good bacteria and acids in your gut once again. As your gut needs to be acidic enough to break down foods, especially proteins.
Up the good fats too, oily fish; mackerel and salmon, coconut oil, flaxseed and also fresh juices if you can.
Much love and letting go!
Laura
Resources
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-brief-history-of-epsom-salt-242655
https://www.health.com/mind-body/what-is-serotonin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24465574/
https://alvinepharma.com/epsom-salt-cleanse/
https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/list-of-inflammatory-diseases.html
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/174047/scientists-find-salty-kill-mrsa/