Epsom salts have been commonly known for the use of salt baths as a way to relieve muscle tension, fatigue, soreness, and help induce overall relaxation. It is commonly recommended by many natural health practitioners, especially massage therapists. So what is Epsom salt, what are the exaggerations and what are the evidence based benefits?
Epsom salt is an inorganic salt that is composed of magnesium, sulfate and water. It received its name from a place in England where it’s naturally found in springs. Epsom salts have many benefits as well as some exaggerations in the natural health community but overall, they’re a great addition to anyone’s health regime. Firstly, it’s important to note that our skin is largely waterproof and is going to have a much poorer absorption rate than simply taking a magnesium supplement. However, scientists do recognize that we naturally absorb at least some of the chemicals we come in contact with. Our skin is after all, porous as well as relatively thin in comparison to many other animals. At minimum Epsom salts aren’t going to be harmful or cause any adverse effects even if we took daily baths in them.
There are other ways Espom salt or any “salt” baths for that matter are wonderful! The most important thing to keep in mind in regards to any salt bath is to be mindful of the ingredients. I love to make my own mixtures of espom salts, bath salts, various natural oils and relaxing herbal bath teas such as lavender, sage and chamomile.
Alleviate aching muscles
There isn’t much more that does a better job at alleviating sore aching muscles than a hot bath and salts seem to aid in this soothing effect. The way in which salts soften the water is in itself very soothing.
Salt baths: Dissolve two cups of Epsom salts under warm running water directly into a standard bath. Soak for at least 12 minutes.
Alleviate aching feet
After a long day of walking or standing on your feet, soaking your soles in an Epsom salt bath is a great way to relieve soreness. Additionally, they can be used as a natural foot scrub.
Foot soaking: To do this, stir 1 cup of food-grade Epsom salts into a foot soaking container of warm water.
Remove a splinter
Epsom salts can be used for softening skin to remove a splinter. In order to do this, you can soak the area for at least 10 minutes. This might work in and of itself. If that doesn’t work, you can go a step further and create a paste with the salts themselves along with a mixture of charcoal, bentonite clay or calendula.
Making a paste: Dissolve a teaspoon of Epsom salt into a cup of hot water. Remove and mix a small amount of charcoal, bentonite clay and finely chopped calendula flowers or leaves. Apply paste to splinter and wrap with paper towel or other soft bandage cloth for at least 10 – 20 minutes. Remove and the skin should be well softened and ready for the splinter to be extracted. It should be noted that to soften the splinter actually makes it harder to extract. If the splinter is visible, softening the skin would make it harder to extract and risk leaving partial pieces behind inside the skin.
Soothe itching from bug bites, poison ivy, and sunburn
This Epsom superpower is not commonly known and can be helpful when in a pinch. For full-body treatment, a salt bath can be easiest. However, compresses can also be made of Epsom salts to apply directly to poison oak, poison sumac, and any other itching or burning ailment.
Making a compress: Mix two tablespoons per cup of cold water. Soak a cotton washcloth in the mixture. Apply to the affected area. You could also try adding some other natural herbs that aid in skin healing such as calendula and aloe vera.
May help prevent high blood pressure, heart problems, hyperactivity, and other health issues that come from a magnesium deficiency.
Mainly due to the amount of processed foods we consume and modern mass farming methods, magnesium deficiencies have become prevalent in our society and are known for causing negative health complications. Magnesium is responsible for the regulation of more than 300 enzymes in the body, flushing toxins, and assisting in the formation of proteins in the joints, our brain tissue, and mucin proteins. Epsom salt baths allow the magnesium and sulfate to be absorbed easily by the skin, thus possibly helping to maintain healthy magnesium levels and assisting in these biological processes. However, it’s important to note that again, as mentioned earlier, the skin has a much poorer absorption rate than taking a supplement could provide. Epsom salts aren’t going to hurt but they might not help as much as it’s claimed they will either.
Salt baths: Dissolve two cups of Epsom salts under running water directly into a standard bath. Soak for at least 12 minutes.
Garden or House Plant Fertilizer
It’s not well known but epsom salts can be a great additive to your garden soil! The magnesium in epsom salts helps strengthen plant cells, aids in seed germination and production as well as improve the plant’s uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur. Plants that need high levels of magnesium for optimal growth do especially well with epsom salts and those are plants such as tomatoes, peppers and roses. For best results, apply 1 to 3 tablespoons of epsom salts sprinkled directly around your plants.
Isla Skye Herbals 
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