Epsom salt is a mineral that is used by many people around the world. It is not only inexpensive, but there are a variety of different applications for Epsom salt and it offers many benefits for those that frequently use it. Despite so many people using Epsom salts, it’s likely that they may not actually know what it is that they are using, and only know the benefits of using it.
Epsom salt
The mineral Epsomite was first identified and distilled from water in the early 1800’s in Epsom, England, where it gets its name from. The name people are more familiar with is the household compound Epsom salt. This compound is hydrated magnesium sulfate (MgSO4*7H2O) and has a structure similar to common table salt. Epsom salt is commonly a colorless or white color, and may have a slight tint of green, yellow, or pink.
Epsom salt typically forms on cave walls or as deposits in evaporate layers, around hot springs, and near volcanic exhalations. It readily dissolves in water and has a variety of different uses. Epsom salt is rather inexpensive, easy to find in most grocery or drug stores, and most applications of Epsom salt don’t require large amounts of it.
The many uses of Epsom salt
The most common uses of Epsom salt are household uses, especially in a bath. Soaking in a bath mixed with Epsom salt is associated with many benefits. The soaking will relieve muscle pain, loosen muscles, reduce aches, reduce swelling, and lower blood pressure. The Epsom salt will also help clean the skin, and can even help remove harmful toxins. Epsom salt baths can also remove odor, and have even been known to help improve sleep. Soaking in Epsom salt has even been known to help remove splinters.
Some people also mix Epsom salt for a variety of other personal remedies or even household remedies. Epsom salt has been known to be used to exfoliate the skin when mixed with other products or to create a facial mask when mixed with other products or ingredients. It can even be mixed with cleaners to help whiten tiles. Epsom salt is also a laxative when ingested, but while it is safe to ingest for most people, a doctor should be consulted before ingesting Epsom salt as ingesting too much can lead to digestive problems. Ingesting Epsom salt is not recommended for everyone.
According to the National Academy of Science, many Americans are not getting enough magnesium. Studies estimated that over half of all Americans are not getting the recommended amount of magnesium in order to properly function. Magnesium is important to many functions in the body and vital to maintaining good health. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to high rates of several disease and illnesses such as stroke, osteoporosis, joint pain, arthritis, hearth disease, chronic fatigue, digestive diseases, and a variety of other maladies. Sometimes diet is not enough to get the proper amount of magnesium. Frequent bathing with Epsom salt (at least three times a week) can be an effective means of supplying magnesium to the body as it will soak into the skin.
Epsom salts can also be used in gardening and with plants. Though there are people that don’t believe Epsom salt provides any benefit to plants, some gardeners swear by the use of Epsom salt. As with people, magnesium is also influential in the proper health of plants. Magnesium will help strengthen the cell wall, help the plant take in nutrients, increase fruit production, and aids in photosynthesis and seed germination.
