12 Uses For Epsom Salt

Relaxing Bath for Achy Muscles Draw a bath of warm water, add 2 cups of epsom salt and soak for at least 20 minutes to alleviate sore, tired muscles. You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil for additional relaxation benefits. Why it works: stress depletes magnesium levels in your body. When you soak in an epsom salt bath, your body absorbs magnesium through the skin, which promotes the production of serotonin (and causes you to relax and feel good!). The magnesium also aids in a better night's sleep and helps restore proper muscle and nerve function.

Constipation Relief For mild cases of constipation, one of the uses for epsom salt is that it can be taken internally as a laxative. Dissolve 1 tsp of epsom salt in 8 oz of water and drink. It may be wise to consult your doctor before trying this method.

Remove a Splinter If you have a splinter that you're having a hard time removing, you can soak in an epsom salt bath to increase osmotic pressure of the skin, which will draw the splinter to the surface. If it is just a finger or toe, simply dissolve 2 tbsp of epsom salt in a cup of water and soak the affected area.

Treat your House Plants Epsom salt isn't just for people: your house plants can benefit from it, too! Dissolve 2 tbsp of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and water your plants for an extra dose of minerals that they'll love.

Grow Better Tomato and Pepper Plants If your soil is low in magnesium, pour a tablespoon of epsom salt in the hole before planting tomatoes or peppers to give them enough magnesium to flourish and thrive.

Exfoliate your Face For a natural exfoliant, add a little pinch of epsom salt to your normal face wash, and gently rub your face with circular motions, and rinse. It will help bring out impurities and rid your face of dead skin.

Detoxing Foot Soak Combine 1/8 cup epsom salt, 1/8 cup sea salt an 1/4 cup baking soda to a foot bath or sturdy container large enough for your feet. Pour in hot water and soak feet for 30 minutes to alleviate tired feet and draw toxins out of your body. The pores on the bottom of the feet are the largest pores in the body, which is why they are a great place to draw out toxins. For optimal benefits, soak feet once a week.

Add More Volume to Hair Excessive oil in the hair is a main cause for flat hair. To naturally reduce the oil in your hair, add 1/2 cup epsom salt to a bottle of shampoo. While hair is still dry, gently massage 1 tbsp of mixture into hair and rinse with cold water. Then pour apple cider vinegar onto hair and leave for 5 minutes, and rinse.

Sunburn Relief To relieve sunburn pains and reduce healing time, soak in a warm bath with 2 cups of epsom salt for at least 20 minutes. It will ease the pain and reduce the skin's inflammation.

Bee Stings and Other Bug Bites Similar to a splinter, an epsom salt water soak will help draw out a bee stinger if it is stuck in the skin. Epsom salt also helps with itchiness and inflammation associated with other bug bites. Soak affected skin in an epsom salt solution for 20 minutes.

Clean Tile The abrasiveness of epsom salt combined with liquid dish detergent can help your tile shine. Mix equal parts epsom salt and liquid dish detergent and scrub tile or grout until clean. Rinse with clean water.

Soft Skin Salt Scrub Mix 1/4 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup epsom salt for a soft skin salt scrub. Rub into skin while in the shower, rinse, and you will be left with soft, exfoliated skin.