Written by Bernie Carr
Epsom salt used to be a staple in most households in years past. I can remember my mom soaking her feet in warm water with Epsom salt after coming home from a hard day at work. She swore it revitalized her tired feet. I didn’t really think much about it until I recently tried it myself. Someone gifted me a foot bath for Christmas. I had an unopened container of Epsom salt under the sink so I poured a half cup into the warm water. After soaking for 15 minutes, I really felt some relief.
What is Epsom salt?
Epsom salt is different from table salt – it does not taste salty and is bitter. The chemical name for Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It’s components are magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. Epsom salt was discovered in the town of Epsom, in Surrey, England. At one time it was the most popular home remedy in England.
Turns out, Epsom salt has many more household uses.
Sooth sore muscles
A popular use for Epsom salt is for relieving body aches from tension or aching muscles. Add two cups of Epsom salt to your bath water and soak for 15-20 minutes. For a more relaxing soak, use the lavender Epsom salt. You can also add your favorite fragrant essential oils.
Reduce inflammation
Soaking in Epsom salt also relieves swelling and bruises. The magnesium content helps reduce inflammation.
Treat athlete’s foot
We talked about relieving tired, achy feet, but the benefits of Epsom salt doesn’t stop there. It is also a treatment for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. Use the same amount as I used for a regular foot soak – just half a cup in a container of warm water.
Relieve sunburn
If you overdo your outdoor activities and end up with sunburn, get some relief by adding two tablespoons of Epsom salt to a cup of water. Mix well and transfer to a spray bottle. Spray on the sunburned area.
Face wash
Use Epsom salt mixed with water as a natural face wash.
Exfoliating scrub
Scrub rough spots on your skin by using Epsom salt to exfoliate. Add a cup of Epsom salt with half a cup of coconut oil, a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil and you have a nice exfoliating scrub.
Splinter removal
Epsom salt can aid in splinter removal. Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt with a cup of water. Soak the affected area in the mixture. The soak will help draw the splinter closer to the surface, making it easier for removal.
Itch relief
If you are suffering from itchy skin due to a bug bite or poison ivy, , get some relief by mixing two tablespoons of Epsom salt and a cup of water. Place in a spray bottle and spray the affected area.
Garden supplement
The sulfur and magnesium in Epsom salt can be a good soil supplement to help your garden grow. Just add two tablespoons of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and spray on your soil.
Bonus tip: Deter slugs and snails from encroaching on your garden by sprinkling Epsom salt along the perimeter.
Scrub for cleaning
The abrasiveness of Epsom salt makes is a good scrub for cookware as well as grout. Just mix equal parts of water and Epsom salt, add a bit of dish-washing liquid and start cleaning.
Save money
For all its uses, Epsom salt is also inexpensive. You can get a five pound bag for just $12.99 and it’ll last you a long time.
You may already have a forgotten bag laying around your bathroom cabinet. Time to start using it – you’ll be pleased with the results.
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About the author:
Bernie Carr is the founder of Apartment Prepper. She has written several books including the best-selling Prepper’s Pocket Guide, Jake and Miller’s Big Adventure, The Penny-Pinching Prepper and How to Prepare for Most Emergencies on a $50 a Month Budget. Her work appears in sites such as the Allstate Blog and Clark.com, as well as print magazines such as Backwoods Survival Guide and Prepper Survival Guide. She has been featured in national publications such as Fox Business and Popular Mechanics. Learn more about Bernie here.
