20 amazing uses of Epsom salt

There are many minerals that have amazing health, beauty and other benefits. Epsom salt is one such mineral.

Chemically known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt is named after a spring in Surrey, England where it was first discovered.

Epsom salt has a range of benefits, from soothing bruises to assisting with exfoliation, making it a must-have in every household.

This gallery brings you 20 ways of using this remarkable mineral.

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1. Adds volume to your hair

Excess oil can weigh your hair down, leaving it flat and lifeless. Adding Epsom salt to your conditioner can help you solve this problem.

Make your own hair volumiser by mixing equal parts of Epsom salt and conditioner. Leave it on your hair for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Repeat the treatment weekly for best results.

2. Cleanses your face gently

Epsom salt exfoliates skin gently.

Boost your regular cleanser by mixing a teaspoon of Epsom salts with it. For best results, cleanse at night before you go to bed.

3. Helps remove splinters

If there is a splinter that’s hard to remove, soak the affected area in a solution of warm water and Epsom salt for a few minutes.

Epsom salt helps reduce inflammation around the affected area and softens the splinter, making it much easier to remove.

4. Is a great DIY pedicure

The Epsom Salt Council recommends Epsom salt as a great home pedicure:

Mix half a cup of Epsom salt with warm, soapy water.

Soak feet to soften skin.

Remove polish, cut and file your nails and calluses.

Continue soaking feet in Epsom salt bath for another five minutes before drying your feet.

5. Helps to dislodge blackheads

Get rid of pesky blackheads the natural way with Epsom salt.

Dissolve one teaspoon of Epsom salt into half a cup of hot water with four drops of iodine.

Massage the warm mixture into the area of your skin with blackheads. Let your face dry completely then wash with warm water and pat dry.

6. Provides sunburn relief

The anti-inflammatory properties of Epsom salt make it a safe and gentle way of soothing mild sunburn.

Take an empty spray bottle, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt with one cup of water, and spray on the affected area.

Yes, it’s really as simple as that!

7. Provides insect bite relief

For a natural way of relieving common insect bites, all you need to do is mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt with a cup of water.

Apply the mixture on the affected area with a clean washcloth.

8. Helps give your house plants a boost

Magnesium and sulphur, which are the main components of Epsom salt, are beneficial to plant health and encourage flowering plants to produce more blooms.

Feed your house plants every month with this amazing mineral by adding two tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water.

Sit back and watch them bloom!

9. Soothes sore muscles

Have you ever suffered from sore muscles after a vigorous workout? Epsom salt can help with the pain.

Simply dissolve a teaspoon of Epsom salt into a cup of hot water. Cool the solution in the fridge before applying it on the affected area.

Ensure you clean and dry the sore spot before applying the salt mixture. Leave on for up to 20-30 minutes before wiping or washing off.

10. Makes a great DIY spa treatment

A common treatment at many spas is gentle exfoliation of the whole body. Now you can enjoy this experience at home for a fraction of the cost.

After a shower, simply massage wet skin with handfuls of Epsom salt. The rich nutrients and texture help cleanse skin effectively, leaving it silky smooth and beautiful.

According to researchers, soaking in an Epsom salt bath is also a safe and easy way of increasing the body’s levels of magnesium and sulfate.

11. Solves foot-related problems

Epsom salt’s ability to reduce swelling and increase circulation makes it ideal to treat many foot-related issues.

Problems such as swollen feet, joint pain, foot and toe fungus and foot odor can all be assisted by soaking feet for 15 to 20 minutes in a warm Epsom salt foot soak.

12. Removes hair styling product build-up

Many hair products leave residue that can make hair look dull.

To remove hair product build-up, mix a cup each of Epsom salt and lemon juice into about three-and-a-half litres of water. Let this concoction sit for 24 hours.

Simply leave on hair for 15 to 20 minutes. Follow with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

13. Makes a gentle hand wash

Mix equal parts of Epsom salt and baby oil to create a gently and moisturizing hand-cleanser.

Store in a clean pump-bottle and place on sinks around your home.

14. Cleans tiles and grout

Don’t you just hate dirty grout lines and tiles? Now you can do away with harsh bleach to clean both.

Mix equal parts of Epsom salt and liquid dish detergent to make an amazingly effective tile and grout cleaner.

Soak the affected area for a few minutes before scrubbing the loosened dirt and washing it clean.

15. Cleans pots and pans

If you have dishes, pots and pans that are really hard to clean, pour a small amount of Epsom salt before scrubbing.

The abrasive texture of the salt assists in getting rid of hard-to-remove grime and food easily without damaging cookware.

16. Relieves constipation

A popular use of Epsom salt is as a laxative.

Add one teaspoon of Epsom salt to four ounces of water. Dissolve and drink the mixture in one sitting.

You should have a bowel movement between 30 minutes to six hours after drinking the mixture. Do not use this remedy more than once a day and avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you continue to suffer from constipation for more than a few days, please consult with your doctor.

17. Provides natural arts and craft activities with the kids

Epsom salt is safe to use in arts and craft activities with the kids. Its texture and natural sparkle make it fun to create with.

To make a beautiful sparkly heart card, put a cup of Epsom salt into a bowl and add some red food colouring.

Draw a picture of a heart on the front of the card, cover with glue and then sprinkle the Epsom salt mixture over it. Make sure to shake off the excess.

Let it dry overnight.

18. Gets rid of slugs and snails

If slimy slugs and snails are the bane of your garden, just sprinkle some Epsom salt around to get rid of them.

It is thought that the crystals irritate the soft bodies of snails and slugs, preventing them from crossing over the salt.

19. Gives you tastier tomatoes and plentiful peppers

Spray your pepper plants when they bloom with one tablespoon of Epsom salt in around four litres of water for 10 days. Be prepared for a bumper crop of peppers!

For tastier tomatoes, spray each plant with a mixture of one tablespoon of Epsom salt in water per foot of plant height. Do this every two weeks.

20. Helps clean your washing machine

Over time, laundry detergent builds up in washing machines, affecting and reducing cleaning and washing ability.

To remove build-up and dirt, fill your empty washing machine with hot water, four cups of vinegar and a cup of Epsom salt.

Let the machine run for a minute or two, then stop the cycle and let the solution soak for an hour. Then, let the cycle finish running.

Where to buy in Singapore

If you'd like to try the amazing benefits of Epsom salt yourself, here's a list of where you can find it in Singapore:

- www.medicalsupplies.com.sg

- www.iherb.com

- www.organicdelivery.sg

- www.naturesmart.com.sg

You may also check with popular pharmacies around Singapore.

Written by

Nalika Unantenne

HealthBeautycomplementary and alternative medicine