Home Remedies using Epsom Salt for Health
From reducing tension in the body to treating skin conditions, Epsom salt has a reputation for being a miracle cure-all. The salts are comprised of a naturally occurring mineral found in water. In many circles, they are added to baths for self-care treatments, but there are many other home remedies for Epsom salts to explore.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salts (or magnesium sulphate) is an organic compound that contains sulphate and magnesium. Affordably priced at your local grocery store or pharmacy, they can be used to cleanse the skin, as well as encourage relaxation. The most popular use for Epsom salt is to add to a bath, where the magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin. The salt will draw toxins from the body, sedate the nervous system, reduce swelling, relax muscles, as well as exfoliate the skin.
Medical Epsom Salt Home Remedies
In the medical world, Epsom salt is a pretty versatile substance. From treating skin inflammation to providing pain relief for sporting injuries, you never know when one of the following home remedies using Epsom salt for your health may come in handy:
a) Relieve Stress:
After a long hard day at work, soaking in a warm tub with an added glassful of Epsom salt can relax your body. The bath will help soothe your nerves, as well as uplift your mood.
b) Exfoliate the Skin:
For a soak to exfoliate the skin, add two glasses of Epsom salts to a warm bath. The salt will soften dry, rough patches of skin. Rubbing the salts directly on your body will leave your skin smooth. Some people will add essential oils to the soak to add an aromatherapy benefit.
c) Detox:
The magnesium in an Epsom salt bath plays a role in the elimination of toxic waste in the skin.
d) Soothe Muscles and Joints:
A regular soak with Epsom salt can provide relief for muscle pain and joint problems.
e) Foot Soak:
Adding ½ cup of Epsom salt to a large pan of warm water creates a soak for the feet that treats aches, removes unpleasant odor, and softens rough skin. Place your feet in the water and keep in as long as you want.
f) Oil Remover:
If you suffer from oily hair, you can soak up excess oils by adding nine tablespoons of Epsom salt to ½ cup of hair shampoo (made for oily hair). Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your dry hair, and rinse out with cold water. Follow up by pouring lemon juice or apple cider vinegar through the hair. Leave the liquid in for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing out.
g) Blackhead Remover [1]:
When looking to unclog a blackhead, mix one teaspoon of Epsom salts and three drops of iodine in ½ cup of boiling water. As the mixture cools to the point where you can stick your finger in it, apply to blackheads with a cotton ball. Repeat this process three to four times per day – reheating the solution if necessary. You can now gently remove the blackheads. Follow up with an application of an alcohol-based astringent.
h) Add Volume to Hair:
Heat equal parts of a deep conditioner and Epsom salt in a pan. Work the warm remedy through your hair and leave in for 20 minutes. Rinse to reveal hair with more volume and bounce.
i) Soothe Sprains and Bruises:
When sprains and bruises have you on the sidelines, add two 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak to reduce swelling.
j) Remove a Splinter:
To draw out a splinter, soak your finger in Epsom salt.
k) Face Cleanser:
At night, mix ½ teaspoon of Epsom salt with your regular cleanser to clean your face before heading to bed. Massage the remedy into the skin, and rinse off with cold water.
l) Mask for Normal to Oily Skin:
To treat normal to oily skin, apply a mixture of one tablespoon of cognac, one egg, ¼ cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of one lemon, and a ½ teaspoon of Epsom salt to your face. Apply to a moistened face.
m) Mask for Normal to Dry Skin:
A recipe for a mask to treat normal to dry skin includes a combination of ¼ , cup of grated carrot, 1 ½ teaspoons of mayonnaise and ½ teaspoon of Epsom salt. Wet your face before applying this mask.
n) Exfoliate the Skin:
To remove dead skin cells from the skin, massage handfuls of Epsom salt over your wet skin – starting at your feet and moving up towards your face. Take a bath to rinse off the remedy.
Resources
[1] Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest; pg. 165.
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