13 Wonderful Ways to Use Epsom Salts

Oh, Epsom salt—who knew that such an uninspiring

ingredient could inspire such devotion? Epsom salts
have amazing health benefits–here are 13 ways to
use Epsom salts, including a relaxing bath, a face
scrub and a hair volumizer. It’s also a miracle cure-all,
helping to remove splinters and reduce swelling of
sprains and bruises. One ingredient really does fit all!

I always knew that soaking in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom salts was good
for relaxing muscles and drawing toxins from the body, but I could never figure out why. And it
wasn’t until I spent some time at the Epsom Salt Industry Council web site that I learned that
epsom salts—made of the mineral magnesium sulfate—are also a sedative for the nervous
system.

When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from
the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient,
exfoliator, and much more.

Relaxing and sedative bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of Epsom salt. Read more about
the Amazing Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths

Foot soak: Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of
Epsom salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry. Or
try an Epsom Salt Peppermint Foot Scrub.

Soak sprains and bruises: Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups
epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak. To tame tendonitis, try these tips.

Splinter remover: Soak in epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.

Face cleaner: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of epsom salt with your regular
cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.

Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon
of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of
epsom salt. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise
and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. This simple honey face mask works wonders as well.

Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and
continuing up towards the face. Have a bath to rinse, read 16 foods for Beautiful Skin.
Remove excess oil from hair: Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of
epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair
when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through
the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse. For dryness, here’s how to Repair Your Hair
with Olive Oil.

Remove hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup epsom salt.
Combine, cover and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and
let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work
the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Adapted from the Epsom Salt Industry Council (Note: Check with a doctor before using if you
have any health concerns.)
Healing Salt Crystals

Adapted from “The Herbal Home Spa” by Greta Breedlove (Story Books, 1998).

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/healing-salt-crystals.html#ixzz1Zwv4BhtJThe easy-to-

find ingredients for this wonderful bathing mixture help to relieve soreness and aching joints
and muscles. Soothing and relaxing, Healing Salt Crystals draw out impurities from your body
and deodorize, too!

With many of the healing properties of a seaside spa, this formula is perfect for the day after a
strenuous workout, or for any time you need a little healing time-out. If you can’t get away to
the beach, you can at least relax in a tub with these lovely crystals.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup borax
2 cups Epsom salts
½ cup coarse sea salt
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup white clay
½ cup dried lavender
10 drops lavender essential oil

1. In a large bowl, mix together the borax, salts, baking soda, and clay, then mix in the dried
lavender, stirring with a wire whisk.

2. Scent the mixture with the oil, mixing well with the whisk. Cover the bowl with a towel and
leave overnight to fix the scent.

3. In the morning, thoroughly mix again and package in jars, zip-seal or muslin bags, or
envelopes.

To Use: Add ¼ to ½ cup healing salt crystals to a tubful of warm water.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/healing-salt-crystals.html#ixzz1ZwuuDtH8