A friend introduced me to Epsom Salts when she was training for a half marathon a few years ago. Since then I’ve dallied with adding them to my bath water and have often been pleasantly surprised with how relaxed I feel after a good soak in the magnesium sulphate crystals.
Since sorting through all my toiletries and cosmetics I found a bag lurking at the back of the cupboard prompting me to look in more detail at their benefits. Much like when I first started using coconut oil I’ve since realised there’s a lot more to these salts than meets the eye, plus you can get your hands on them for less than five English pounds. A bargain I do declare. I found most of the below benefits through Epsom Salt Council though there are many similar claims elsewhere.
Benefits of Bathing in Epsom Salts
Apparently many of us are deficient in magnesium, the mineral which is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA. Rather than having to pop pills to increase the intake it’s reported you can absorb magnesium through the skin by relaxing in a cup or two of crystals for about ten minutes. In turn this can have the benefits of:
- Relaxation of muscles and loosening of joints, which is why it’s a popular remedy for athletes and marathon runners
- Improvement of digestion
- Helping in balancing blood pressure
- Improvement of sleep by reducing muscle tension and promoting calm
- Relief of aches, pains and bruises
I have to add I haven’t used them for any of the below yet but I intend to put my bag to good use after some research threw up these gems.
Health & Beauty
- Alleviate itching caused by stings and bites by soaking a cotton washcloth in cold water mixed with epsom salt (two tablespoons of salt per cup of water), then apply to the skin as a compress.
- Combine with equal parts of hair conditioner and add to the scalp for twenty minutes to act as a hair volumiser.
- Use as an exfoliator or facial wash by rubbing half a teaspoon into damp skin and rinsing off.
- Relieve constipation by taking orally to loosen stools. (Always best to check in with your doctor before use)
Household Uses
- Adding a teaspoon to the soil can boost a new plants growth. Apparently sage doesn’t like this tactic though!
- I saw one blogger recommend mixing with equal parts of washing up liquid for cleaning grout and tiles
- Sprinkle on paths to deter pesky slugs
