The Benefits of Using Epsom Salts

Gardeners have known for a long time that adding epsom salt to the garden adds magnesium and sulfur to the soil. Bathing with epsom salt can also give people health benefits. At one time doctors prescribed a soak with it for countless ailments.

Epsom salt isn't a salt at all. It is a mixture of magnesium and sulfate, that was first distilled in Epsom, England. The salt can be found in water. Not only does it have benefits to the gardener, but has many health benefits, beauty uses, and can be useful around the home.

The best benefit is that it is inexpensive. You can buy a box or bag for just over $2.00. Since it has so many uses, this is a good buy.

Using about two cups of the salt in bath water will provide a relaxing, soothing bath that reduces stress. It actually work as a sedative. The magnesium sulfate sedates the body, since it is easily and safely absorbed by the skin. It works well to relax sore muscles and the added bonus is that it softens skin.

Epsom salt removes toxins from the body. It is great for a foot soak to remove splinters and other problems. It relaxes sore feet after a long day at work. Soaking in it helps relieve inflammation and helps heal minor cuts and wounds.

The salts also work well for the relief of bee stings, poison ivy, poison oak and skin allergies. If you have a bee sting, first remove the stinger and then apply a paste made with water to the area.The epsom salts will help draw out the toxins.Remember to always take someone having an extreme reaction to the emergency room.

Use a paste for skin allergies and other rashes. If it involves a larger area, soak in a bath made with it. The salt will also give temporary relief to sunburns too.

Some people even claim that using the salts in the bath will make sick children feel better and get better faster. It is worth a try. If nothing else it should calm and soothe them.

The Epsom Salt Council says if you mix the salt with your favorite conditioner, it will add body to your hair. I am going to try this and I'll let you know how it works.

The epsom salt also works great to exfoliate your skin. Use a cloth saturated with hot water and use some epsom salt to remove blackheads.

It removes dead skin and can be used on rough spots on the elbows and knees. Add it to water and soak before a pedicure to remove dead skin from the feet.Mix with baby oil and use as a hand cleanser to soften rough dry hands.

Soak towels in it overnight and then squeeze out the moisture. Your towels should be soft as new after drying. Mix with soap to get grime off of showers and other grimy, oily surfaces.

As stated above, Epsom salt is a good source of magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium is needed for seeds to germinate. Without it, plants aren't able to use nitrogen and phosphorus. It will help your plants produce more flowers, which mean more vegetables. Apply sparingly to the garden, about 2 tablespoons in a gallon of water and only use it once a month.

Rose will do better also, but use the 2 tbsp to one gallon of water rule. Use it on tomatoes and peppers too to make them produce better.

Some claim that it will keep slugs away from the garden. Just apply in the evening and the slugs won't like the rough feel, because they have easily damaged skin. If you find tiny holes in your plants every morning, it is probably slug damage.

The Epsom Salt Council

Reader's Digest