Epsom salt is a prized product that has a number of miraculous health benefits. In essence, Epsom salt is crystallized magnesium sulfate.
Magnesium is a natural mineral found in all living things.
The name "Epsom salt" comes from the name of the town of Epsom in Great Britain, the location of the hot mineral springs where this salt was first extracted. It was because of this that the town of Epsom became one of the first spa resorts back in the 17th century.
Choosing and Storing Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is very easily accessible and inexpensive. It can be bought at pharmacies. It's sold in small packages labeled "magnesium sulfate". Store it in a dry and ventilated area.
Benefits of Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has a myriad of health benefits. It has a beneficial effect on the entire body and finds wide use because of it.
Epsom salt helps regulate an entire 325 enzymes in the body, while at the same time controlling a number of processes - from muscle movement to the elimination and removal of toxins.
Epsom salt improves concentration and sleep, lowers stress, removes toxins, relieves migraine and constipation, enhances the overall function of the digestive system, helps to absorb a number of beneficial substances.
Epsom salt aids against cramps, bruises and swelling because it betters circulation. It relieves joint and menstrual pains, gets rid of skin inflammation.
Detoxification with Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is used with superb success to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract. Long term use of it leads to weight loss but it shouldn't be taken orally for excessively long periods of time.
For a quick body cleanse, dissolve about 1 1/3 tbsp (20 g) of the salt in cool water. Do not do this procedure more than twice a year. Epsom salt is better absorbed through the skin than through food.
Beauty with Epsom Salt
The magnesium in Epsom salt transforms it into a valued natural remedy for skin problems. It is an excellent ingredient for homemade facial masks. For example, for normal skin, mix together an egg yolk, a little Epsom salt and lemon juice. For normal skin you can also mix a grated carrot, Epsom salt and extra virgin olive oil.
Epsom salt works as a remedy against acne and blackheads because it regulates excess secretion of sebum, which is responsible for making skin oily and dirty.
If you're experiencing problems with oily hair or dandruff, add a few spoons of Epsom salt to your shampoo. For soft hair with volume, add Epsom salt to the balsam, leave it on your hair for 15-20 min. and then wash thoroughly.
Epsom salt is an excellent exfoliating product because it makes skin smooth, soft, hydrated and visibly younger. If you would like to make a spray with Epsom salt, mix equal parts of the salt and water. Spray onto the skin once a week.
In the battle against cracked heels, an effective treatment is a bath with 1 part Epsom salt and 2 parts water. Dissolve the salt and soak your feet for 30 min.
A bath with Epsom salt has relaxing, toning and recovering effects. But after the bath, the body needs to be washed off very well with clean water. Epsom salt baths get rid of stress, while relaxing the muscles and entire body.
If you don't have a bathtub at home, simply put some of the salt onto your bath sponge. It makes for a great peeling, removing dead skin cells and making it velvety soft and smooth.
Dangers of Epsom Salt
Epsom salt shouldn't be used by people with kidney failure, as well as those overly sensitive to magnesium sulfate. It shouldn't be used on children under 6 years of age, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Epsom salt must be used with extreme caution in children over 6. Avoid using it if suffering from stomach pains and signs of vomiting.
