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13 Wonderful Ways to Use Epsom Salts

a Care2 favorite by Annie B. Bond

By Annie B. Bond

Oh, epsom salt—who knew that such an uninspiring ingredient could inspire such devotion? Epsom salts have amazing health benefits - really! Here are 13 ways to use epsom salts, including a relaxing bath, a face scrub and a hair volumizer. It’s also a miracle cure, helping to get rid of splinters and reduce swelling of sprains and bruises. One ingredient really does fit all!

I always knew that soaking in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom Salts was good for relaxing muscles and drawing toxins from the body, but I could never figure out why. And it wasn’t until I spent some time at the Epsom Salt Industry Council web site that I learned that epsom salts—made of the mineral magnesium sulfate—are also a sedative for the nervous system.

When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient, exfoliator, and much more.

13 Wonderful Ways to Use Epsom Salts

Relaxing and sedative bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of epsom salt.

Foot soak: Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of epsom salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry.

Soak sprains and bruises: Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak.

Splinter remover: Soak in epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.

Next, Ways to Use Epsom Salts for Your Face

 

More on Alternative Therapies (100 articles available)
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Beth Morris

..oh gawd!..I hadda epsom salt bath a while back..trying to relieve some body pains..woke up in the early hours with amazing diareah and chronic stomach cramps...be careful*...

Rhonda L.

I am curious how the warm bath would help reduce swelling, especially since cold therapy is indicated in the first 48 hours following an injury in order to reduce inflammation and blood flow to the injured site. How does magnesium sulfate in warm water work physiologically to reduce the swelling? Anyone know?

Anil Sanyal

good and useful information, thank you for sharing it with others.

Katherine Robb

Great article. I love epsom salts.

Katherine Robb

Great article. I love epsom salts.

Beverly R.

My parents encouraged me to use epsom sals in most of these ways, thank you.

Karen Marion

very nice

DarkstaR CraShiNg

Very cool.

Kathleen Carrier

I knew there were a lot of ways to use Epsom salts, but some of these are new to me. I'm one of those people that will try a new thing right away.

Tomoko Harris

I will have to try some of these. I have heard that Epsom salts have a lot more wonderful uses.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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