5 Unusual Epsom Salt Uses You’ll Want to Know
If you’re looking to stock your medicine cabinet with natural home remedies and therapeutic cures, you’ll want to get yourself some Epsom salt. This stuff has so many benefits and uses, and it has been shown to cure a variety of ailments. Let’s find out a little more about Epsom salt before we jump into its incredible list of uses.
What Is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is not actually salt at all. It most likely got its name from a similar texture, look, and the way it dissolves in water like table salt, although it is not in the least bit salty. Another name for Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate because it is made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.
When dissolved, Epsom salt releases magnesium and sulfate ions in the water. These are readily absorbed by the skin and provide a whole host of benefits to your skin itself as well as to your muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
When added to soaps and facial cleansers, the small Epsom salt crystals help to exfoliate the skin and smooth and tone rough patches.
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Common Uses of Epsom Salt
Many people know that Epsom salt can help to heal sore and achy muscles. By adding it to a warm bath, you can soak in the Epsom salt and let your skin absorb the magnesium and sulfate ions that it is lacking, providing rich nutrients that your body craves. Epsom salt baths soothe the muscles and loosen stiff joints. They even relieve pain and inflammation from arthritis.
Epsom salt baths serve many purposes. They promote relaxation while healing the body at the same time. They are beneficial for the skin and have been shown to treat all kinds of skin disorders, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and sunburn. When the magnesium is absorbed, it stimulates the production of serotonin—the “feel-good” hormone that eases the body and mind on a chemical level.
Establish a routine in which you take an Epsom salt bath three times a week, and you’ll look better, feel better, and have more energy overall.
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Unusual Epsom Salt Uses
There is no denying the incredible benefits of an Epsom salt bath. But did you know that there are many more uses for Epsom salt? These 5 unusual Epsom salt uses will help you to get the most out of your magnesium sulfate.
While Epsom salt does not have a pleasant taste, you may want to consider consuming it if you are constipated. Magnesium is a popular treatment for constipation, and since Epsom salt is mainly magnesium, it can help to draw water to a stool and promote a bowel movement.
Using Epsom salt as a laxative usually produces quick results. In 30 minutes to 6 hours, you should experience relief from constipation. Consult your doctor before using Epsom salt as a laxative if you are pregnant.
To use Epsom salt as a laxative, dissolve 2–6 tablespoons into 8 ounces of water and consume immediately.
If your hair is weighed down with product or buildup or looking a little grungy and greasy, you could benefit from an Epsom salt conditioner. All you have to do is mix equal parts Epsom salt and conditioner, and work it into your hair. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then rinse it out. Your hair will gain back its shine and bounce if you do this once a week.
Whether you have blackheads, acne, shiny skin, or dull-looking skin, a good exfoliation with Epsom salt may be just what your skin is craving. It will help you get deep into your pores to clean out impurities, get rid of excess oils and dirt that are causing unwanted shine, and leave you with a clean, even-toned, fresh-looking face to take on the day.
Mix equal amounts of Epsom salt with your favorite bath oil and begin to scrub your face gently in a circular motion. For even better results, clean your face while taking a hot shower. The steam from the shower opens up pores, allowing you to get deeper in to clean out dirt. Finish the shower off with 10 seconds of cold water on your face to close pores back up.
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Since Epsom salt is anti-inflammatory, you can relieve discomfort from sunburn or a first-degree burn using an Epsom salt spray. In a spray bottle, dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 8 ounces of water. Spray the affected area every few minutes for relief.
Do not spray Epsom salt on open wounds or severe burns. It may further irritate the wound and lead to infection.
All sorts of foot problems can be treated using an Epsom salt foot bath. Whether the problem is medical or cosmetic, using Epsom salt on your feet can improve their condition.
An Epsom salt foot bath can be used to treat the following foot problems:
- Athlete’s foot. Relieves the itch and discomfort associated with this fungal infection.
- Toenail fungus. May work as an antifungal agent, drawing out the fungal infection from your toenail.
- Foot odor. That unpleasant smell is caused by bacteria and fungi that accumulate when your feet sweat. Treat those smelly feet with an Epsom salt foot bath to pull out the toxins and get rid of bacteria so that you can go right back to smelling like roses.
- Achy, sore feet. If you’ve been on your feet all day long, an Epsom salt foot bath can help to soothe the bottoms of your feet and relieve foot cramps. Soak them for at least 10 minutes and then go ahead and lie down for a bit with your feet up to relieve swelling.
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Conclusion
Whether you’re using Epsom salt to make yourself a soothing detox bath or in any of the other ways listed above, there’s no denying that everyone can benefit from having Epsom salt in their homes. Go ahead and start using Epsom salt daily as a home remedy to benefit your mind, body, and soul.
Sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/epsom-salt-bath#1
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/epsom-salt-benefits-uses#side-effects
- https://www.seasalt.com/epsom-salt-uses-and-benefits
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24660/5-surprising-ways-to-use-epsom-salt-every-day.html
- https://www.healthline.com/health/epsom-salt-foot-soak#how-it-works
- https://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/uses-benefits/beauty/