Learn the benefits of Epsom salt and how to use Epsom salt in your home, beauty and wellness routine, and even in your garden!
I’m pretty sure that if you’ve been reading this blog for just about any length of time, you’ll have quickly realized that I am obsessed with Epsom salt…especially in the form of Epsom salt baths! 😉
Sure, I’ve talked a million times about how Epsom salt baths are great for muscle recover from all of your weekly workout schedules. But, there is literally SO MUCH more that Epsom salt can do for you, and I wanted to share a few other ways to use them — not only for beauty and wellness purposes, but also around the house and even in your garden!
But first, what is Epsom salt? Where does it come from?
Despite the name, Epsom salt isn’t anything like your regular ol’ table salt — except maybe for it’s appearance. Epsom salt is a chemical compound of magnesium and sulfate.
The name comes from Epsom, England, where the original compound was first discovered and distilled from natural springs in the Earth. Even as far back as the 1600s people flocked to Epsom for the natural spas and the healing properties from the water.
10 Uses for Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a natural exfoliant and anti-inflammatory remedy that can be used to treat muscle aches and sore muscles, dry skin, and even to fight various internal health issues. Simply add Epsom salt to your next detox bath recipe or foot soak to create a luxurious and therapeutic at-home spa experience.
Detoxification
Magnesium is an important element when it comes to detoxing the body. Magnesium basically blocks heavy metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum from entering cells in the body, and allows those metals to be eliminated out of the body instead. In water, Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate, and soaking in an Epsom salt bath for a few minutes a couple times per week allows these compounds to absorb into your body through your skin.
You can enjoy a simple Epsom salt bath by adding 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt in a bathtub filled with warm water and soak in it for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 or 3 times a week. Of course, I love adding essentials oils for a little aromatherapy too — lavender is one of my favorite choices, but a detoxifying bath salts if even better when you goal is to detox.
Improves Digestion + Relieves Constipation
Believe it or not, Epsom salt can actually be taken orally too. Magnesium deficiency is a very common issue due to nutrient depletion in the soil our produce grows in from commercial agriculture practices, and also from poor absorption into the body — especially if your are a coffee drinker.
And because magnesium helps keep your bodily functions running smoothly — in other words, keeping everything regular 😉 — it can actually help you when you’re feeling a little stopped up.
Sulfate helps to strengthen the walls of your digestive tract so that it’s easier to release toxins. As a compound, magnesium sulfate also raises the amount of digestive enzymes in the pancreas.
To take Epsom salt orally, you simply need to add about 2 teaspoons to 8 ounces of water and wait 30 minutes to 6 hours for constipation relief. Make sure you plenty of water for the remainder of the day. (REMEMBER: You should always consult your doctor first, and this should only be used occasionally as a laxative, not for long term relief.)
Reduces Muscles Pain + Tension
As you are working hard and killing your workouts, your muscle will begin to build up lactic acid — the substance that is responsible for sore muscles and tightness the day or two after your workout. Magnesium can help relax muscles by flushing out lactic acid buildup from your muscles.
Magnesium also plays an important role in the absorption of vitamins in the body. It also helps regulate muscle and nerve function. All of these effects significantly influence muscle soreness, which also affects muscle stiffness. An Epsom salt bath will not only detoxify, but is a great way to reduce muscle pain and tension.
Exfoliation
Another amazing way to use Epsom salt is as a exfoliator for your skin. The coarse texture helps slough away dead skin cells, while the anti-inflammatory properties from the magnesium prevent irritation.
Simply combine 2 cups of Epsom salt with 1 cup of coconut oil (maybe even add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil!). While in the shower, use your hands to gently scrub the mixture onto your skin in circular motions — be carefully your tub will get slippery! — After you’ve exfoliated, rinse off and enjoy amazing smooth and moisturized skin.
Removing Splinters
There is probably nothing worse than a splinter, and if you have children you know how absolutely terrible it can be to try and remove a splinter by digging at your little one’s skin with a pair of tweezers. Make things easier by soaking the area in small Epsom salt bath first.
This increases the osmotic pressure of the skin, which will help draw the splinter to the surface. The magnesium will also help reduce inflammation around the splinter, making it easier to remove. If it’s just a toe or finger, dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a cup of warm water and soak.
Grow Healthy Fruits + Veggies
Epsom salt can literally be like an all natural “miracle grow” in your garden. As plants grow they use the nutrients — like magnesium and sulfate — in the soil to grow, overtime they can deplete the soil of these vital nutrients. Magnesium helps seeds germinate, increases chlorophyll, and helps produce more flowers and fruit. Sulfur aids in the production of vitamins and amino acids.
You can easily add 1 tablespoon per gallon of water and spray your garden vegetables every two weeks — this solution works wonders on tomatoes and peppers!
Pest Control
Another amazing benefits of Epsom salt outdoors is to prevent and deter any pests from getting into your garden, and even banish raccoons from rummaging through your trash.
Any salt can dehydrate and kill snails and slugs that can infest your garden, but using Epsom salt will give your garden that extra boost of nutrients mentioned above. For general pest control, you can use the mixture from above to spray directly on our plants. For more serious slug and snail control, sprinkle dry Epsom salts in the garden around the base of plants.
To keep pesky raccoons from digging in your garbage cans, you can sprinkle Epsom salt around your trash containers — they hate the smell! (just remember to reapply the Epsom salt after a rainstorm.)
Scrub off Burnt Foods from your Pans
Just as you can exfoliate your skin with Epsom salt to scrub off dead skin, you can also use Epsom salt to scrub your pots and pans. The course grains of the salt can gently, but effectively, scour your pans to look just like new. Just scoop a teaspoon of Epsom salt into a dirty pan and scrub with a nonabrasive sponge to break up any burnt of food particles. You can use Epsom salt on both metal and glass cookware.
Clean Grout and Tiles
Another way to give your home an extra good scrubbing is to use Epsom salt to scrub and deep clean your tile and grout. The Epsom salt will act a pumice to help scrub about grime and mildew. For clean grout and tile mix equal amounts of Epsom salts and dish soap (I like Dr. Bronner’s). Dab the mixture onto dirty or stained tile surfaces. Let it sit for one to two minutes, and then scrub. Finally, rinse the tile or grout clean.
Volumize Your Hair
Hair volumizer is a must-have beauty essential for most women — but what if there was a natural option?? Well, Epsom salt comes to the rescue again. Epsom salt can help to remove oils that build up in your hair, causing it to become weighed down and “lifeless”.
Once a week you can do a deep cleanse on you scalp by combining equal parts of your regular shampoo with Epsom salt. Apply it to your hair as normal, wash, and repeat again. The first wash with remove and dead skin cells on your scalp and excess hair product, while the second wash will deep clean and detoxify. Condition as you normally would, dry, style and enjoy beautiful bouncy hair.
Do you know of any other benefits of Epsom salt around your house or in your wellness routine?
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