Epsom Salt: 21 Surprising Uses & Benefits for Health, Beauty, and Home
Epsom salt is one in all those things I invariably carry on hand. it's an honest supply of Mg and has dozens of menage, beauty, and health uses.
Because of its several uses, we have a tendency to keep it in nearly every area of our house!
What Is Epsom Salt?
Don’t confuse Epsom salt with regular common salt or range salt. Epsom salt could be a magnesium-based “salt” instead of conventional sodium-based salt. it's with chemicals called sulfate and is a simple and cheap supply of Mg.
Uses for Epsom SaltResearch shows that several individuals lack this vital mineral because of Mg levels declining in our food and setting. victimization Epsom salt around the house and in beauty treatments is one simple thanks to improving Mg levels.
Just be careful: because the labels on any Epsom salt package can warn you, it's a potent laxative, thus this isn’t a supplement you ought to take internally while not a doctor’s recommendation.
As is that the case with most things in health, science is usually evolving. though there's vital analysis to support the advantages of transcutaneous Mg (see sources below), a 2017 review suggests that a lot of analysis is required to know to what degree it penetrates the skin.
My take: no natural remedy could be a “cure-all” and Epsom salt is not any exception, however lots of proof exists that it's safe and useful in some ways.
Uses for Epsom Salt
Here area unit twenty-one of my favorites uses for don’t have this magnesium-rich (and inexpensive) menage staple:
1. quiet bathtub Soak
Epsom salt has been other to baths as a calming soak since it absolutely was 1st discovered at a salty spring in Epsom, England. The high Mg content makes it a splendidly quiet soak.
I’m an enormous fan of victimization Epsom salts as a part of my hospital ward bathtub routine. I additionally sometimes add a touch Epsom salt to my kids’ baths to assist them to sleep.
What to do: Add a cup of Epsom salt to a heat bathtub and soak for twenty minutes. you'll additionally add a drop or 2 of lavender oil, that adds a beautiful scent and helps induce relaxation also.
2. Splinter Removal
This is an associate recent trick I learned from an associate older relative and that we use it all the time. With six youngsters United Nations agency like to climb trees and gambol barefoot, splinters area unit a reality of life. sadly, the removal of those splinters accustomed cause heaps of grief at our house.
Now, I create a powerful answer of heat water and Epsom salt and let the splinter soak for concerning ten minutes. This makes it such a lot easier to get rid of (and helps stop the pain too!).
What to do: Dissolve one/3 cup Epsom salt in 1 cup of warm/hot water and stir till fully dissolved. Soak the affected finger/toe/body spare the splinter for a minimum of ten minutes and thoroughly take away the splinter with tweezers or a stitching needle. Also, use common sense: if the splinter is massive, deep, a puncture wound, bleeding, or just won’t start, visit a doctor.
3. Mg Foot Scrub
Our feet area unit one in all the foremost over-worked and under-appreciated elements of our bodies. On days that I hike, garden, or work outside for hours, it’s simple to finish up with sore feet and legs, thus I really like to use this soothing and silkening (is that a word?) Mg foot scrub.
What to do: realize (and print) the total instruction here, however you essentially misunderstanding one cup of Epsom salt or Mg flakes with some carrier oil and a touch soap to create an opulent foot scrub. It additionally looks to assist with cracked heels if you get those besides.
4. Firming Facial Wash
Did I mention that Mg will facilitate firm the skin and exfoliate? I add a touch Epsom salt to my face wash or oil cleansing routine for a soothing and firming boost.
What to do: I grind up Epsom salt (in the liquidizer or employing a mortar and pestle) and add it to my face wash or oil cleansing oil as I massage it into my face. I realize this works higher than making an attempt to feature it to the face wash within the instrumentality.
5. Body Ache Relief
Once upon a time, I got a foul case of the inflammatory disease and my body ached everywhere because it tried to fight it off. I detected I had some Biofreeze on my counter. The package indicated that this was for “sore and painful muscles” thus I made a decision to convey it an attempt. Turns out, this super-strong muscle relief cream isn't designed to be used on the whole body! rather than painful muscle relief, I got whole-body chills for an associate hour. Not thus fun!
Now, I persist with Epsom salt baths for body aches and sore muscles and it works sort of a charm!
What to do: Add 2+ cups of Epsom salt to a warm/hot bathtub and soak for 20+ minutes.
6. ocean Salt Spray for Thicker Hair
A stylish once used a texturizing salt spray on my hair and that I cherished the body and texture that resulted. I wasn’t willing to pay the $30+ it price, thus I started experimenting with DIY choices. Now, I take advantage of my beach waves to spray most days and mix it with my dry shampoo if I’m not laundry my hair that day.
What to do: Use this instruction to create beach waves spray with Mg. If victimization dry shampoo, use it 1st and comb/brush through hair before spraying with the salt spray.
7. Mg Lotion
We use topical Mg spray all the time however my youngsters don’t love the tingly skin feel they get when victimization it. (And I don’t love the dry skin which will typically result from direct use on the skin.) Years agone, I started creating this soothing Mg lotion to resolve those issues. Now, this lotion could be a daily staple in our house.
What to do: Use this instruction to create your own soothing Mg lotion. If you don’t need to undertake the DIY, there's additionally a good whole of pre-made Mg lotion offered here.
8. Grow higher Vegetables
When I was in 4-H years agone (more than I’d wish to admit!), we have a tendency to learned that Epsom salt is accustomed improve a vegetable patch. These days, I add one tablespoon per plant some of the times throughout the year and it helps plant growth, particularly tomatoes.
What to do: Sprinkle a tablespoon of Epsom salt around the base of a plant when it's fully grown to a minimum of twelve inches tall.
9. DIY Salt Scrub
Epsom salt could be a magnesium-rich various to regular salt in salt-scrub recipes. Salt scrubs area unit historically a mix of salt and oil like vegetable oil or oil. Epsom salt will simply be employed in place of the salt in these recipes for an additional Mg boost.
What to do: Use Epsom salt rather than salt in a very instruction like this one. Or, simply combine 1/2 cup Epsom salt with 1/4 cup olive or oil associated use as an exfoliating scrub within the shower.
10. Tile and Grout Cleaner
Want to scrub your tile while not a noxious chemical cleaner? Add some Epsom salt to some liquid dish soap and scrub away. simply certify to rinse well since the soap is slippery!
What to do: combine equal elements liquid dish soap and Epsom salt and scrub tile and grout with a brush. For a pre-made possibility, Bon Ami additionally works nicely on clean up tile and grout while not harmful chemicals.
11. Foot Soak
If you aren’t within the mood for a full bathtub however need the magnesium-boosting advantages of associate Epsom salt bathtub, simply soak your feet instead!
What to do: Add one cup of Epsom salt to the predicament for a targeted foot soak. For scent, you'll additionally add up to five drops of oil of alternative.
12. Volume-Boosting Hair Mask
I explained higher than however, I take advantage of Mg as a texturizing spray for thicker hair. It can even be employed in the shower to thicken and strengthen hair. I really like to feature Epsom salt to a natural conditioner for a texturizing and strengthening boost for hair.
What to do: combine a natural conditioner (I use this one) with equal elements Epsom salt and work into your hair. Leave on for up to twenty minutes. Rinse well and dry for thicker hair! This hair bodily fluid additionally helps thicken hair and I’ve been victimization cathartic for years to realize thicker hair and eyelashes.
13. Relieve unquiet Skin and Bug Bites
What will Mg not do? Epsom salt is additionally my go-to for relieving unquiet skin from bug bites or alternative reactions.
What to do: Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a very cup of water and let it cool. Spritz on bug bites or unquiet skin to assist calm the itch. A drop of lavender right a bite additionally helps calm the itch. Or add some lavender to the spray.
14. Sunburn Relief Spray
I’m attending to step onto a soapbox for simply a moment. I feel the sun is useful sparsely which in several cases, sun blocker could do a lot of hurt than sensible. That said, each supply agrees that sunburn is harmful and that we ought to create each effort to avoid it. For our family, we have a tendency to try and get moderate sun exposure daily, however ne'er enough to burn or flip pink. On rare occasions, once we get an excessive amount of sun (usually Pine Tree State … Irish skin), I create a soothing when sun spray.
What to do: Dissolve a pair of tablespoons Epsom salt in one cup of water and funky. Add four drops of lavender oil and shake. Spray on skin to calm the pain of a sunburn. (Diluted apple vinegar additionally works for this, however, the salt spray smells heaps better!)
15. Get Things Moving
This is one in all the on-label uses for Epsom salt. because of its high Mg content, it's documented for its ability to alleviate constipation. I’ve used it this manner as a part of a liver and bladder flush, however, some individuals use it for the relief of occasional constipation.
What to do: Follow the package directions for relief of occasional constipation, however, discuss with a doctor 1st, particularly if you've got any health issues.
16. Healthy House Plants
House plants area unit nice for cleanup indoor air and that we like to keep them around. a bit like garden plants, house plants love an Mg boost once in a very whereas. Add some Epsom salt as a part of a daily watering or fertilizing routine for a lot of sturdy house plants.
What to do: Sprinkle a touch Epsom salt on the soil in a very house plant instrumentality or add a touch to the water once watering. A tablespoon is typically lots for a month or 2.
17. Say farewell to Slugs
Salt of any kind, as well as the Epsom selection, is nice for deterring slugs. If you’re already victimization salt within the garden to assist improve the soil, this could facilitate deter slugs also. If not, think about sprinkling some salt around to stay the slugs away.
What to do: Sprinkle Epsom salt in or around gardens and alternative areas you don’t need slugs offensive to stay them away.
18. stunning Roses
We can dialogue forever if a rose by another name would be as sweet, however, one issue is for sure: roses love Mg and adding a touch to the soil around a rose bush helps increase growth and blooms.
What to do: Sprinkle a tablespoon of Epsom salt around a rose bush and water for quicker growth. Best applied once a month.
19. Headache Relief
There is quite a little bit of proof that Mg could facilitate headaches and even migraines once used often. Some sources even assume that Mg deficiency could increase the possibility of headaches. I’ve detected that once I consume Mg or use it transdermally, I additionally don’t appear to urge headaches. And my husband swears that the most effective hangover cure could be a long swim within the ocean, which is way higher in Mg than lakes or swimming pools.
What to do: Use any of the strategies higher than to urge a lot of Mg. I additionally realize that Mg spray and Mg lotion area unit particularly useful for headache relief.
20. sleepy-eyed youngsters
What parent doesn’t need youngsters United Nations agency need to sleep at the time of day? I do know I actually do! a part of our bedtime routine is victimization Mg in how. this might be a shower, lotion, or spray, however, it helps our youngsters doze off abundant faster and keep asleep longer. Here area unit another natural sleep remedies we have a tendency to use, and why we have a tendency to don’t have night lights in their rooms.
What to do: create associate Epsom salt bathtub or Mg lotion massage a part of the time of day routine at your house.
21. Garden Soil homework
Magnesium within the soil helps improve plant growth. It is other throughout the season however we have a tendency to see the most effective results once we combine it into the soil too.
What to do: Add a bag or 2 of Epsom salt to the soil and until in to refill soil Mg levels.
Epsom Salt: What to seem For
I get top quality Epsom salt on-line, however, you'll in all probability realize it in your native grocery or food store. simply explore for one that's USP certified and doesn’t have any other ingredients.beauty