Using Epsom salt around the house and in beauty treatments is one easy way to improve magnesium levels.
What Is Epsom Salt?
Don’t confuse Epsom salt with regular table salt or Himalayan salt,. Epsom salt is a magnesium-based “salt” rather than a traditional sodium-based salt. It is chemically known as magnesium sulfate and is an easy and inexpensive source of magnesium.
Uses for Epsom Salt
Here are 21 of my favorites uses for don’t have this magnesium-rich (and inexpensive) household staple:
1 - As a relaxing Magnesium Bath Soak – Add at least 1 cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.
2 - Splinter Removal- Soak in concentrated Epsom salt water to pull out a splinter.
3 - Magnesium Foot Scrub- Make a homemade magnesium scrub for a boost of magnesium and super soft skin.
4 - Better Vegetables- Add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to the soil below a tomato plant to boost growth.
5 - Facial Wash- Add a pinch of Epsom salt to your usual face cleaner (or to your oil cleansing routine) for a skin exfoliating magnesium boost.
6 - Tile/Grout Cleaner- Mix equal parts of liquid dish soap and Epsom salts and use to scrub tile and grout. Rinse well for a streak free shine.
7 - Body Aches- Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes to help relieve muscle sprains and for a trans-dermal magnesium boost.
8 - Homemade Sea Salt Spray- Make your own sea salt spray to add texture and volume to hair
9 - Water House Plants- Help house plants grow by adding a couple tablespoons of Epsom salt to the water when you water them.
10 - Volumizing Hair Mask- Combine equal parts of conditioner and Epsom salt and leave on hair for 20 minutes. Rinse well and let air dry for thicker hair.
11 - Foot Soak- For a concentrated magnesium boost, add 1 cup of Epsom salt to a hot foot soak and soak for 20 minutes.
12 - Get rid of slugs- Have slugs in your garden or on your patio? Sprinkle Epsom salt to deter them.
13 - Making Magnesium Lotion- Using magnesium flakes is a better option, but in a pinch, you can use Epsom salt to make homemade magnesium oil (recipe here).
14 - Laxative- For occasional constipation, a teaspoon of Epsom salt dissolved in water can help. CHECK WITH DOCTOR FIRST!!!
15 - Beautiful Roses- Add a tablespoon a week to the soil around rose bushes before watering for faster growth.
16 - Soil Prep- Before planting, we add a few bags of Epsom salt to the soil in the garden and water in to help replenish soil magnesium levels.
17 - Headache relief- There is evidence that soaking in a soothing Epsom salt bath may help relieve headache.
18 - Smooth skin- Mix 1/2 cup Epsom salt with 1/4 cup olive oil and scrub skin in the shower for healthy and smooth skin.
19 - Itchy Skin or Bug Bites- Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in to 1/2 cup of water and cool. Spritz on itchy skin or apply a wet compress to help relieve itching.
20 - Minor Sunburn Relief- Use the same ratio in the itchy skin relief above and spritz on to minor sunburns to help soothe them.
21 - Help Kids Sleep Better- Add a cup to kids’ bath water before bed to help them sleep peacefully.