It seems like Epsom salt has many health benefits. Many people enjoy a soothing Epsom salt bath that can feel relaxing especially if you're stressed, have nervous tension and have overworked muscles. It's an easy home remedy that may be overlooked if you're always on the go. Slow down. Have an Epsom salt bath and start to feel better.

What are Epsom Salts?

Epsom salts are not salt. It is a pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. It's called “Epsom salt” because it is named after a saline spring in Epsom, England, which provides a natural source of magnesium sulfate.

How Do Epsom Salts Improve Health?

The benefits of Epsom salt are largely related to its magnesium content. Magnesium is the second most abundant mineral in your body and it plays a significant role in over 300 enzyme reactions in your body. Epsom salts are a source of magnesium sulfate and when taken internally, Epsom salts work as a very strong laxative. Topically, Epsom salts work to reduce inflammation and when you soak in Epsom salts mixed with water, the magnesium sulfate is absorbed through your skin. It works to relax muscles because magnesium is required for muscles to stop contracting. Magnesium is also very relaxing to the nervous system. This means it helps to reduce stress, calms the nerves and relieves insomnia. Stress drains the body of magnesium. Stress creates biochemical reactions in the body that use up magnesium quickly. This is why replenishing magnesium is important to relax the body and mind.

Today, magnesium deficiency is increasingly more common and the Journal of the American College of Nutrition says that at least 68% of the population is magnesium deficient. This can be attributed to several different causes such as industrial agriculture depleting the soil of magnesium, taking too much calcium without enough magnesium and maintaining a stressful lifestyle and poor diet choices, which can deplete magnesium.

Key Benefits & Uses of Epsom Salt

Epsom salts have numerous uses. They can be used for health, beauty and around your home. Epsom salt baths are the most popular way to use Epsom salts and their benefits include, relieving muscle stiffness and soreness, joint pain, stress, and insomnia, and they encourage your body to detoxify.

Using Epsom Salt To Benefit Your Health

• Epsom salt bath – Soak in 2 cups of Epsom salts for a minimum of 12 minutes and your body will start to absorb the magnesium and sulfate. The magnesium will relieve tired, sore, achy muscles and the sulfate will help relieve joint pain and flush toxins from the body. Epsom salt baths are an excellent way to support your detoxification program. Soak in the bath for 30 minutes to relieve stress and insomnia. Having quiet time to yourself is essential to let go of the stresses of the day and magnesium will help produce serotonin so you will feel happier and have a better sleep.
• Epsom salt foot/hand soak – Make a hand or foot soak by adding ½ – 1 cup of Epsom salts to a foot/hand bath. Soak the affected area for 15-20mins. This can relieve gout or other joint pain in the feet or hands, it can reduce swelling, inflammation, foot odour and toe fungus. You can also use an Epsom salt soak to help draw out splinters.
• Epsom salt compress – Make an Epsom salt compress by mixing 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts with one cup of water and then soak a cotton washcloth in the solution. Apply the cloth to the affected area for 10-20mins. This will relieve the pain and inflammation associated with bug bites, bee stings, poison ivy and freshly removed splinters.

Beauty Benefits of Epsom Salts

• Exfoliating dead skin – Mix a handful of Epsom salts with a tablespoon of olive oil or bath oil and rub over wet skin. Pay attention to rougher areas like elbows, knees and feet. You can use Epsom salts to exfoliate dry lips too. Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts with a teaspoon of Vaseline apply the mixture to your lips and gently rub it in. This helps to remove dead or dry skin from the lips, making them feel softer and fuller.
• Exfoliating cleanser – Make your own gentle exfoliating cleaner by mixing ½ -1 tsp of Epsom salts with one of your regular facial or body cleansers.
• Homemade bath crystals – Fill beautiful jars with Epsom salts and add a few drops of your favourite essential oils to make your own scented bath crystals. These make great gifts too.
• Hair volumizer – Adding Epsom salts to your conditioner helps remove excess oil so your hair is not weighed down. Mix equal parts of Epsom salts and your favourite conditioner, apply to your hair and leave in for 20 minutes before you rinse. You can do this treatment weekly.
• Sunburn relief – Epsom salts help reduce inflammation and are a great alternative to applying aloe to sunburns. Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts with one cup of water in a spray bottle and spray on the affected area.

Using Epsom Salt As A Home Cleaner

• Clean bathroom tiles – Mix equal parts of Epsom salts with liquid dish detergent for an easy and effective bathroom tile scrub.
• Fertilize house plants – Most plants need magnesium in their soil to thrive. It's critical for germination and the production of chlorophyll for most plants. Tomatoes, peppers and roses need magnesium the most. Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to one gallon of water and use it to water your plants at least once a month. Use this mixture on your grass too!
• Keep raccoons away – If raccoons are looking for a tasty treat in your garbage cans, sprinkling the cans and the area around the cans with Epsom salts will make them look elsewhere.

Shopping For Quality Epsom Salts

You can buy Epsom salts in most pharmacies, grocery stores or even bulk food stores. Look for reputable brands that only use pure Epsom salts or if scented, use the aroma of pure essential oils.