Epsom Salt (Magnesium sulfate) is an easy and inexpensive prep to keep handy. You can use epsom salt for bruises and sprain, for relaxing tense muscles, for a mild laxative, exfoliating your skin, or to clean oil from the hair. See below for directions on these ideas and please feel free to add your own.

Minor sprains and bruises: 2 cups of epsom salt per gallon of water

Relaxing tense muscles: 2 cups of epsom salt per gallon of water

Laxative: Adults 12 and older - 1 to 2 teaspoons dissolved in 8 oz of water
Children 6 - 12 - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dissolved in 8 oz of water
Produces a bowel movement in 30 mins to 6 hours. Wait 6 hours between doses. No more than 2 doses per 24 hours.

Skin exfoliator: Wet your hands and rub epsom salt on your skin for a minute or two. Rinse.

Remove oil from hair: Mix 8-10 teaspoons of epsom salt into a 1/2 cup of your favorite shampoo. Make sure to rinse well.

e scientific name of Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate; magnesium is one of the main contents of Epsom salts. Epsom salts was discovered in Epsom, England. The uses of Epsom salts range from household cleaning to organic gardening and medical to beauty. This article deals with the medical uses of Epsom salts.

Medical uses of Epsom salts

Studies reveal that a diet, which is deficient in magnesium and sulfate, can lead to various health problems such malfunctioning of the kidneys, various heart diseases including heart attack, and poor blood circulation. Increasing the level of magnesium in blood will help to regulate the electrolytes and raise the level of serotonin (monoamine neurotransmitter). When the serotonin level increases, it not only helps in de-stressing but also improves your sleep. The toxins of your body are easily flushed out if the level of sulfates is normal. Sulfates also help to ease migraine headaches. Epsom salts has many medical uses. A few of them are listed here.

Scientific experiments show magnesium and sulfates can be absorbed by the human body externally. After a tiresome day, you can reduce the muscular pain by soaking in a warm bath with a cup of Epsom salts dissolved in it. Soaking in an Epsom salts bath will also help to remove fatigue.

Epsom salts can do wonders for a person suffering from arthritis. Bathing daily in water containing Epsom salts solution will help to increase the blood circulation and reduces swellings in the joints. Massage lotions containing Epsom salts is helpful in relieving the pain, stiffness and swelling of the arms, knees, fingers and legs.

Epsom salts is used for exfoliating skin. Mix a teaspoon of Epsom salts with cleansing cream; massage your face with this mixture for a few minutes to remove the dead skin. You can use this mixture to remove the blemishes on your skin.

Epsom salts is used for cleansing the colon. Colon cleansing removes the fecal matter and the mucus in the colon and the intestinal system. Epsom salts is also used as a laxative, which relieves you of constipation. However, it is necessary to consult your physician before consuming Epsom salts.

Athlete’s foot caused by fungal infection that affects the skin between the toes, the toenails and the soles can be cured using Epsom salts. Tinea versicolor, a skin infection caused by fungus can be treated to a certain extent using Epsom salt paste. It is always better to get an opinion of a medical practitioner before using Epsom salts for treating various skin infections.

Studies show, Epsom salts can help to delay premature labor. It is also used to prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies. Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and high levels of protein in urine), a condition that occurs at the time of pregnancy in certain women can be treated using Epsom salts. It is advisable to follow the instructions of a reputed medical practitioner.

The health problems such as acute asthma can be treated using magnesium sulfate. Studies also reveal Epsom salts in the form of gel can reduce pain associated with osteoporosis.

Epsom salts can be bought from any departmental store. However, before using this chemical for medical purpose consult a physician.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/medical- ... salts.html

Thanks for the additional information, eeyore.



I abstained from putting this information in for a number of reasons. First off, while these things are true, Magnesium Sulfate is a muscle relaxer, which is why it is able to delay premature labor, it stops the muscles from contracting and the same goes for high blood pressure in those that are pregnant or not, the arteries contract to push blood through the body, the harder they push, the higher your blood pressure, however, mag sulfate overdose is possible. Those with heart or kidney problems should not ingest mag sulfate unless monitored by a medical professional. Too much magnesium can cause serious health problems, including nausea, vomiting, severely lowered blood pressure, slowed heart rate, deficiencies of other minerals, confusion, coma, and even death. More common side effects from magnesium include upset stomach and diarrhea. Magnesium competes with calcium for absorption and can cause a calcium deficiency if calcium levels are already low.

Epson salt is also a good drawing agent. I suffer from a skin condition causing boils and when I have a flare up I will soak in a tub with the ES for 30 mins, it clears the problem right up. I also treat any pucture wounds , or splinter with a soak. I'm always finding new uses for ES.

I was asking an very experienced gardener why my sweet pepper plants were lovely to look at but didn't give me a darn pepper, he told me I need to make a ring around my plant with 1/4 inch of ES and work into the soil, well what do you know, I had peppers that year.

Works wonders for me!!!