Healthy Uses for Epsom Salt.

                                  WHAT IS EPSOM SALT(ORIGIN)?

     

   Magnesium sulfate (or magnesium sulphate) is an inorganic salt (chemical compound)

containing magnesium, sulfur and oxygen, with the formula MgSO₄. It is often encountered as the heptahydrate sulfate mineral epsomite (MgSO₄·7H₂O), commonly calledEpsom salt, taking its name from a bitter saline spring in Epsom in Surrey, England, where the salt was produced from the springs that arise where the porous chalk of the North Downs meets non-porous London clay. The monohydrate, MgSO₄·H₂O is found as the mineral kieserite. The overall global annual usage in the mid-1970s of the monohydrate was 2.3 million tons, of which the majority was used in agriculture.^[1]

Anhydrous magnesium sulfate is used as a drying agent. The anhydrous form is hygroscopic (readily absorbs water from the air) and is therefore difficult to weigh accurately; the hydrate is often preferred when preparing solutions (for example, in medical preparations). Epsom salt has been traditionally used as a component of bath salts. Epsom salt can also be used as a beauty product. Athletes use it to soothe sore muscles, while gardeners use it to improve crops. It has a variety of other uses. Epsom salt is also effective in the removal of splinters.^[2]

It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.^[3]

We use epsom salt a lot at our house. It is a good source of magnesium and has dozens of household uses. Here are my favorites:

1. As a relaxing Magnesium Bath Soak – Add at least 1 cup of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.
2. Splinter Removal- Soak in concentrated epsom salt water to pull out a splinter.
3. Magnesium Foot Scrub- Make a homemade magnesium scrub for a boost of magnesium and super soft skin.
4. Better Vegetables- Add a tablespoon of epsom salt to the soil below a tomato plant to boost growth.
5. Facial Wash- Add a pinch of epsom salt to your usual face cleaner (or to your oil cleansing routine) for a skin exfoliating magnesium boost.
6. Tile/Grout Cleaner- Mix equal parts of liquid dish soap and epsom salts and use to scrub tile and grout. Rinse well for a streak free shine.
7. Body Aches- Add 2 cups of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes to help relieve muscle sprains and for a transdermal magnesium boost.
8. Homemade Sea Salt Spray- Make your own sea salt spray to add texture and volume to hair- recipe here.
9. Water House Plants- Help house plants grow by adding a couple tablespoons of epsom salt to the water when you water them.
10. Volumeizing Hair Mask- Combine equal parts of conditioner and epsom salt and leave on hair for 20 minutes. Rinse well and let air dry for thicker hair.
11. Foot Soak- For a concentrated magnesium boost, add 1 cup of epsom salt to a hot foot soak and soak for 20 minutes.
12. Get rid of slugs- Have slugs in your garden or on your patio? Sprinkle epsom salt to deter them.
13. Making Magnesium Lotion- Using magnesium flakes is a better option, but in a pinch, you can use epsom salt to make homemade magnesium oil (recipe here).
14. Laxative- For occasional constipation, a teaspoon of epsom salt dissolved in water can help. Check with a doctor first.
15. Beautiful Roses- Add a tablespoon a week to the soil around rose bushes before watering for faster growth.
16. Soil Prep- Before planting, we add a few bags of epsom salt to the soil in the garden and water in to help replenish soil magnesium levels.
17. Headache relief- There is evidence that soaking in a soothing epsom salt bath may help relieve headache.
18. Smooth skin- Mix 1/2 cup epsom salt with 1/4 cup olive oil and scrub skin in the shower for healthy and smooth skin.
19. Itchy Skin or Bug Bites- Dissolve a tablespoon of epsom salt in to 1/2 cup of water and cool. Spritz on itchy skin or apply a wet compress to help relieve itching.
20. Minor Sunburn Relief- Use the same ratio in the itchy skin relief above and spritz on to minor sunburns to help soothe them.
21. Help Kids Sleep Better- Add a cup to kids’ bath water before bed to help them sleep peacefully..