Epsom Salts for the Home, Garden AND Natural Beauty!

Epsom salts aren't really salt like table salt, but rather a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of
magnesium and sulfate. This combination has a multitude of benefits for health, gardening and household
uses.

We use epsom salt a lot at our house. It is a good source of magnesium and has dozens of household uses. Here are our favorites:
As a relaxing Magnesium Bath Soak – Add at least 1 cup of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.
Splinter Removal- Splinter remover: If you have a splinter, soak the area in Epsom salts and hot water and the splinter will dislodge on its own.Soak in concentrated epsom salt water to pull out a splinter.
Body Aches- Add 2 cups of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes to help relieve muscle sprains and for a transdermal magnesium boost.
Magnesium Foot Scrub- Make a homemade magnesium scrub (recipe here) for a boost of magnesium and super soft skin.
Foot care: Soaking your feet in an Epsom salt bath can help relieve the symptoms of Athlete's Foot, gout
and toenail fungus.
Foot Soak- For a concentrated magnesium boost, add 1 cup of epsom salt to a hot foot soak and soak for 20 minutes.
Making Magnesium Lotion- Using magnesium flakes is a better option, but in a pinch, you can use epsom salt to make homemade magnesium oil (recipe here).
Laxative- For occasional constipation, a teaspoon of epsom salt dissolved in water can help. Check with a doctor first.

Headache relief- There is evidence that soaking in a soothing epsom salt bath may help relieve headache.
Smooth skin- Mix 1/2 cup epsom salt with 1/4 cup olive oil and scrub skin in the shower for healthy and smooth skin.
Itchy Skin or Bug Bites- Dissolve a tablespoon of epsom salt in to 1/2 cup of water and cool. Spritz on itchy skin or apply a wet compress to help relieve itching.
Minor Sunburn Relief- Use the same ratio in the itchy skin relief above and spritz on to minor sunburns to help soothe them.
Help Kids Sleep Better- Add a cup to kids’ bath water before bed to help them sleep peacefully..
Ease muscle strain: Add 2 cups to bath water and soak for at least 20 minutes.
Cut & inflammation relief: A thick paste of Epsom salt and water applied to the affected area will provide
additional relief.
Homemade Sea Salt Spray- Make your own sea salt spray to add texture and volume to hair- recipe here.
Facial Wash- Add a pinch of epsom salt to your usual face cleaner (or to your oil cleansing routine) for a skin exfoliating magnesium boost.
Hair clarifier: To remove product buildup combine one gallon of water, one cup of lemon juice and one cup
of Epsom salts.Cover the mixture and let it sit for at least 24 hours. When it is ready,pour it over dry
hair and leave it on for 20 minutes before shampooing.
Volumizing Hair Mask- Combine equal parts of conditioner and epsom salt and leave on hair for 20 minutes. Rinse well and let air dry for thicker hair.
Exfoliator: Epsom salts rubbed over wet skin make a great exfoliator.
Hand cleaner: Epsom salt mixed with baby oil is an effective hand wash.

Household tips
Bathroom tile cleaner: Epsom salts + Liquid Dish Detergent in equal parts
Tile/Grout Cleaner- Mix equal parts of liquid dish soap and epsom salts and use to scrub tile and grout. Rinse well for a streak free shine.
Water House Plants- Help house plants grow by adding a couple tablespoons of epsom salt to the water when you water them.

Yard and garden:
Better Vegetables- Add a tablespoon of epsom salt to the soil below a tomato plant to boost growth.
Slug deterrent: Epsom salts sprinkled in a circle around garden plants will prevent slugs from reaching the plants as well as provide the plants with a source of magnesium necessary to help them flourish.
Beautiful Roses- Add a tablespoon a week to the soil around rose bushes before watering for faster growth.
Soil Prep- Before planting, we add a few bags of epsom salt to the soil in the garden and water in to help replenish soil magnesium levels.
Fertilizer: apply a quarter cup every six weeks around heavy feeders such as roses and rake into the soil. If you throw in a couple of banana peels per rose bush for a dose of potassium as well, your roses will thrive!
Lawn insect pest killer: Epsom salts used on your lawn will safely and naturally get rid of insect pests as well as make your lawn green. Use a ratio of two tbsp to a gallon of water.
Yet another naturally occurring substance that can help you rid your life of chemicals and pesticides!