Lyme Disease Support Group

Another quickly thrown together Canuck wiki, there is an epsom salt council that has much info on this

Magnesium is the second-most abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body, so it's little wonder this low-profile mineral is so vital to good health and well being. Magnesium, a major component of Epsom Salt, also helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and performs a vital role in orchestrating many bodily functions, from muscle control and electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.

The National Academy of Sciences, however, reports that most Americans are magnesium deficient, helping to account for our society's high rate of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies and stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and a host of other ailments. The Academy estimates the average American male gets just 80% of the magnesium required for good health, while females get only 70% of their recommended levels. Nutritionists say Americans' magnesium levels have dropped more than 50% in the past century.

Better health through soaking

Magnesium can be ingested as a nutritional supplement, but studies show that a wide variety of factors - the presence of specific foods or drugs, certain medical conditions, even the individual chemistry of a person's stomach acid - can interfere with their effectiveness. But all of the subjects in a recent study experienced increased magnesium levels from soaking in a bath enriched with magnesium sulfate crystals, commonly known as Epsom Salt.

Researchers and physicians report that raising your magnesium levels may:

* Improve heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.

* Improve the body's ability to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.

* Flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.

* Improve nerve function by regulating electrolytes. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.

* Relieve stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

Soaking:

While increasing your magnesium levels, Epsom Salt also delivers sulfates, which are extremely difficult to get through food but which readily absorb through the skin. Sulfates serve a wide variety of functions in the body, playing a vital role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the mucin proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. Sulfates also stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are believed to help detoxify the body's residue of medicines and environmental contaminants.

Thank you again! Now all I need to do is find out how much epsom per tub of water?

It says four cups but I just found another HUGE article on a myriad of home detox 'remedies' on another Lyme forum, for what it's worth, will post it... One of the other leaders is usually recc the salts and she may have more insight on this one

Am going to post it below that other fact post take it with a grain of salt, just doing research and can't condone or say anything bad about that, haven't tried it!

Great!

Don't drink CLAY! Will have to remember that one Guess they have to warn against all the 'what ifs' in the USA

Here it is, I found this 'bath' and detox /concoction over 'yonder'....

Detoxing Instructions:

Buy:

Thermometer

Natural Fiber Brush (for dry skin brushing to open up all the pores of the body)

Epsom Salts

Hydrogen Peroxide (bottles of them)

Baking Soda

Mustard Powder

Cayenne Pepper

Supplements (I now love Green Vibrance ~ can be bought at the Vitamin Shoppe).

1. Detox Bath: Put the thermometer in the water to make sure the temperature is around 98 degrees, not hotter. (You do not want HOT water as that can make you feel worse).

As the water is running, add 4 cups of Epsom Salts and entire bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide (32 oz., food grade is 3%).

Some people add Baking Soda instead of the Salts (makes the body alkaline). Yes, all these ingredients get absorbed through one's pores. Your skin is the largest living organ.

Before getting into the bath, you will need a Natural Fiber Brush and do a "dry skin brushing" to unclog your pores always brushing toward your heart, don't forget to brush the soles of your feet too!

The Epsom Salts help draw out the toxins and at the same time the magnesium absorbs into your bloodstream, most people do not have enough magnesium. The Hydrogen Peroxide adds oxygen into your bloodstream which lyme spirochetes hate. Try to stay in the bath a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes, the longer, the better.

Most people feel "worse" during the first week of detox baths and eventually feel better since it is a cumulative effect.

2. Foot Bath: There are so many "recipes" for foot baths, you can have fun with them and I do them when I am sitting at my computer or knitting on my couch relaxing.

***The Soles of the Feet have the most pores compared to any other part of the body (about 2000 pores per foot)***

Do this 2 to 3 times a day or more if you can for at least 30 minutes.

Recipe #1: Mustard/Pepper Bath: Mix "HOT" water in a basin with Dry Mustard Powder (1 tablespoon) and Cayenne Pepper (1 teaspoon) and soak for at least 30 minutes just enough water to cover the bottoms of your feet.

Recipe #2: 1 cup of Epsom Salts and 1/2 cup of Hydrogen Peroxide. First brush the soles of your feet before putting them into a basin filled with Hot water with the other ingredients and soak for 30 minutes.

3. Dry Skin Brush: Once again, a natural fiber brush (can be found at any drug store), brush your entire body toward your heart. Purpose: Getting rid of dead skin that are clogging your pores and keeping toxins inside.

4. Internal Cleansing: Paragone is a good product to get rid of parasites that come from drinking water, eating red meat, raw fish, and processed foods. I also like "living clay" or bentonite clay to drink internally but please read the instructions as it must be taken on an empty stomach. It is a fantastic binder of toxins and heavy metals and your body will not only eliminate them but also rid your body of parasites as well. I also take Aloe Master.

NOTE: People on antibiotics should NOT drink any type of clay.

5. Building Immune System: I drink Green Vibrance Powder (contains billions of probiotics), very expensive but well worth every penny because of all the ingredients. I also take Vitamin C, B Complex, Omega-3 capsules, and other supplements.

Green Vibrance Super Food

When a person is sick with any illness it robs the body of these much-needed nutrients.

When a person's immune system gets stronger, their body is more capable of fighting off bacteria's and viruses on their own. Yes, lyme disease causes viruses too.

6. Diet: Avoid all sugar, alcohol, breads, carbs as they convert into sugar, try to eat healthy and avoid acidic foods (soda - any type is the worse thing a person could put into their body), very acidic. Drink as much filtered water as possible (adding fresh lemon is very good), at least 6 glasses a day (I don't believe in bottled water, they say it's really tap water, I personally like the Brita Walter Filter Canister).

7. Stress: Stress is detrimental to anyone's health and to try to eliminate as much stresses from your life can only benefit you. Of course there are stresses one can not avoid but one can learn how to deal with it in a healthier fashion, having a stressful day? Learn deep breathing exercises, watch a funny movie.

Good book to buy for stress is 60-Second ****zu: The Natural Way to Energize, Erase Pain, and Conquer Tension in One Minute (Paperback) by Eva Shaw

http://www.amazon.com/60-Second-****zu- ... 143&sr=8-1

8. When you feel strong enough, try to start exercising even if it is only yoga as stretching is so good for you and also relaxing. There is meditation if you can't exercise. As you build up your immune system you will get strong enough to do whatever exercise of you like.

Purpose: you are getting oxygen into your bloodstream and lyme bacteria's hate oxygen! Plus the extra benefits of exercise is it makes you feel good mentally because it naturally raises your serotonin levels and takes away depression.

9. Find a licensed Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, LDT is another fantastic way to rid your body of toxins.

If you can start doing some of these things, your body will love you for it and you will start feeling so good!

10. Positive thinking - It takes training of the mind but you if really want to do it, you can. We all have choices on how we view life, one can choose to be negative, angry or bitter or just accept that you are ill because acceptance is half the battle with any disease and leads to a more healthy way of life by dealing with it.

What this does for Lyme: the answer is by detoxing you are ridding your body of the toxins and ammonia that lyme bacteria's cause. By building up your immune system, your body can start killing off the bacteria's on it's own.

Extras:

Juicing

detox foot pads

sauna (if you have access to one)

liver/gallbladder cleanse

colonics

coffee enema

massage

lymph drainage

rebounders

organic body products

water testing

parasite cleanse (paragone)

candida cleanse

essential oils for detoxification

magnet therapy for electromagnetic stress

Some products that reduce toxic load on the body are Dr. Jernigan's Neuro Antitox and also Molybdenum is helpful.

Detoxifying is much like exercising, you need to do it regularly and in consistent doses in order to get results. You won't get miracle results from one-time use.

http://www.healingwell.com/community/de ... 725453&p=2

Post edited by: Canuck, at: 02/21/2009 20:26

Ok so yesterday I took my usual epsom salt bath before bed except I added more salts and hydrogen peroxide. I got a rash on my arms. It didnt itch or anything and its not there this morning but I woke with a headache and feeling like a truck hit me. Part of detox?

I don't like putting the peroxide in my bath, made me itch something awful...I only use ONE cup salt with two drops lavender...I only put the lavender as I like the way it smells...

Not sure if that is why you don't feel good...

I take two baths a day for 45 minutes each time...I do have to put a lot of lotion on due to the salt drying out my skin....

Aw! No itching? I have only seen that the temp if too hot can cause irritation with itching, you would notice right away, and I keep finding links about directions with these-some say to add 1/3 of the h2o2 first, then after 5 minutes if no irritation add another 1/3, then in another 5 minutes if your skin is fine to add that last 1/3-some use a LOT of peroxide. I haven't had the chance to try it (kids-need I say more) but we're heading on vacation tomorrow and I fully intend on trying it. I am sorry you feel bad today and I wish I knew the answer other than researching 'headaches and diarrhea are reported from some when starting'. Sounds like detox? hopefully someone who has experience with these can add to this.. i hope your day gets better

Post edited by: Canuck, at: 02/23/2009 06:14

The water was not that hot. I normally do much hotter but for some reason there must not have been enough hot water in the tank. It didnt itch and it was gone in the morning. Oh well its just another day in Lymeville