The Many Uses and Benefits of Epsom Salt
photo credit: Dawn Endico
Who knew you could do so many things with Epsom salt? I’ve had a big pack in my bathroom cupboard for several months now, but I’ve only used it once for hubby’s foot soak. Below, you’ll read about many other uses and benefits of Epsom salt.
Have you ever seen a movie or read a novel where the fainting heroine was revived with “smelling salts”? In Victorian times, smelling salts were used to invigorate and enliven a weak constitution. Epsom salts were a significant ingredient in those invigorating remedies, and the Victorians may have been on to something.
* Health benefits
Epsom salts are a form of magnesium sulfate, and many of the benefits of magnesium can be obtained from them, such as helping to relax tired or sore muscles and encouraging sleep. Adding two cups of Epsom salts to your bath will do the trick. Some sources suggest that such a bath can help remove toxins from the body as well.
Epsom salts will help draw out splinters and heal ingrown toenails, too. Soak your feet in a pan of hot water to which 1/2 cup of Epsom salts has been added. It shrinks swollen skin to allow splinters and ingrown nails to be removed. It helps eliminate foot odor and fungal problems (such as athlete’s foot), too.
A few drops of essential oil can be added to each cup of Epsom salt to make a pleasant scent – shake vigorously and use as above. For sleep, use scents such as lavender. Peppermint and citrus are good pick-me-up scents.
The magnesium in Epsom salt makes it an effective laxative – add 2 teaspoons to a glass of warm water and drink.
* Useful in the garden
If slugs and snails are a problem, sprinkle Epsom salts around the base of the plants they like to eat. The slimy critters can not get over the salt barrier. It won’t harm your plants – in fact, it acts as a fertilizer. It works especially well on flowering and fruiting plants. You can work it directly into the soil a tablespoon at a time for individual plants, or mix 2 tablespoons with 1 gallon of water to cover a larger area, such as a lawn.
* Beauty aid
An old-fashioned salt rub exfoliates skin and gives it a healthy glow. Simply rub Epsom salt vigorously on your skin using a cloth or your fingers, and rinse. You can add essential oils before use as described above.
Try adding Epsom salts to your conditioner, an equal amount of conditioner and salt. Rub the mixture in well, leave it on for about 15 minutes, then rinse. Use cool water to rinse to really bring out your hair’s natural glow and increase its volume.
* Around the home
Clean grungy bathroom tiles with Epsom salt. Mix equal amounts of dish washing detergent and Epsom salt and spread it onto the tiles, then scrub.
Don’t let the humble packaging deter you from discovering the uses and benefits of Epsom salts.
Click here to get your Epsom salt from Amazon.com
If you liked this post, submit your email address below to get new posts by email:
