November 05, 2022

25 Reasons to Keep Epsom Salts Around

What do aches, pains, and sad-looking lawns have in common?

All these can be alleviated with the use of Epsom salts!

It’s fascinating all the different ways you can use this naturally occurring mineral. Wellness involves a healthy body, mind, and environment, and in this article we’re sharing 25 reasons you should keep Epsom salts around so you can achieve better wellness today.

But first, why Epsom salts?

What Are Epsom Salts, Anyway?

A long time ago, mineral salts were harvested from European bodies of water to use for various things. As the water evaporated, rock-like formations were left behind. These naturally occurring salts were supposedly discovered 400 years ago in a small town called Epsom (1).

What’s the difference between regular salt and Epsom salts? Regular table salt is made from a combination of sodium and chloride, whereas Epsom salts are made from a combination of magnesium, sulfate, and oxygen (2).

How does it work?

When you add a spoonful of Epsom salts to a warm bath, the heat dissolves the salts and releases magnesium and sulfate ions. These are two important nutrients your body needs, and the idea is that you absorb these through your skin (3).

Health Benefits of Epsom Salts

1. Promote Better Sleep

If you struggle to get a good night’s rest, there may be a hormone imbalance between your melatonin and associated neurotransmitters. Magnesium has been shown to help your body produce melatonin naturally (7), making an Epsom salt soak before bed a great way to usher in some quality zzzz’s.

2. Alleviating Migraine Symptoms

People with low levels of magnesium tend to experience more migraine headaches over those with healthy levels (4). Because Epsom salts contain magnesium, bathing may help offer relief.

3. Soothe Muscle Aches

Your muscles use glucose to expand and contract, and magnesium helps your body to use both glucose and lactic acid - what’s produced after muscle use (8). Epsom salt may help exercise recovery and performance.

4. Can Help Relieve Stress

Low magnesium levels have been linked to chronic oxidative stress (6). An Epsom salt soak may improve how well your body handles stress.

5. Helps Promote Regular Bowel Movements

If you often feel backed up or constipated, drinking a solution of Epsom salts in water can help. The magnesium in the salts brings water into your colon, which helps get things moving (5). Only use occasionally.

The rest of these uses are purely anecdotal. Even so, many swear that using Epsom salts makes a positive difference in these areas!

Garden Benefits

6. Nourishes soil

Magnesium helps your plants and flowers look and growth their best. Add about 1 cup of Epsom salts per 100 feet of soil for a natural fertilizer.

7. Gives you greener grass

Add 2 TBSP to a gallon of water and spray your lawn for greener grass. The magnesium and iron add extra nutrients to the soil.

8. Keeps slugs away

Slugs can ruin your gardening efforts. Sprinkling Epsom salts where slugs and snails trail will keep them away.

9. Grow, produce grow!

Adding 1 tsp to a gallon of water can help vegetables like peppers and tomatoes grow extremely well.

10. Deter Foxes and Raccoons

It’s said that these animals don’t like the smell of Epsom salts. Sprinkle some near garbage cans or other areas of concern to keep them away.

Around the House

11. Replaces fabric softeners

Swapping out your chemical fabric softeners of 2 TBLS of Epsom salts will keep your clothes soft.

12. Helps remove burnt food from pans/pots

Sprinkle about ¼ tsp Epsom salts onto dishes to help loosen up hardened food.

13. Make bathroom tiles sparkle

Mixing equal parts dish soap and Epsom salts to get the grime off your bathroom tiles.

14. Give your windows a frosty look

If you’re feeling festive this holiday season, give your windows a frosty look by boiling ½ cup of water, then adding 3 TBS liquid dish soap with 1 cup Epsom salts. Using a sponge, apply mixture to window corners and bottom. Allow to dry and enjoy!

15. Substitute eye rinse

If you suffer from sties or conjunctivas, rinsing in a saline solution of Epsom salts and warm water may provide relief

Other Ways to Use Epsom Salts

16. Reduce arthritic pain and swelling

Soaking sore ankles, wrists, or applying a warm compress of Epsom salts to your knees can help reduce pain and swelling associated with arthritis or joint pain.

17. Cleanse pores

Mix about ½ tsp Epsom salts with your favorite cleansing cream for a refreshing pore-cleaning boost!

18. Exfoliate skin

The rough texture of Epsom salts create a wonderful spa experience, exfoliating dead skin cells and revealing radiant skin.

19. Thicken hair

Warm up equal parts of deep conditioner and Epsom salt in a pan. Work mixture through hair and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse.

20. Helps extract blackheads

Bring ½ cup of water to a boil. Combine 1 tsp with 3 drops of liquid iodine and add to water. Once cool, apply to blackhead on cotton ball. Repeat 3-4x if necessary.

21. Substitute for Aloe Vera

Mosquito bites, sunburn, or bee stings got you down? Soak a washcloth in cold water mixed with Epsom salts, apply to affected area, and experience relief in no time.

22. Helps remove splinters

Soak affected area in warm water and Epsom salts before extracting. This will help loosen the area and draw out the splinter.

23. Calms itchy skin

Can’t stand hearing your dog scratch? A bath with Epsom salt can help calm and soothe itchy and irritated skin, especially when related to allergies.

24. Extend car battery life

Car battery giving out on you? Mix an ounce of Epsom salts with warm water and apply the paste to each battery cell.

25. Create a homemade face mask

Great for acne, you can mix 1 tsp Epsom salts with 1 egg white, 1 tsp aloe vera, ½ tsp Vitamin B5 powder, 1 tomato, and 2 drops thyme essential oil in a bowl. Apply to face and rinse after 15 minutes.

A Word of Caution

While there are plenty of reasons to use Epsom salts, there are a few reasons not to.

A detoxing bath might sound relaxing, but if you have cuts, burns, or skin rashes, Epsom salts may irritate these sensitive areas and aren’t recommended.

Also, drinking a solution to help stimulate your digestion tract might sound like a quick fix, but taking too much may cause severe diarrhea. If you’re not careful, this could lead to dehydration.