HEALTH & BEAUTY: 9 Reasons To Rediscover Epsom Salts

Today, Emma Heathcote-James of the Little Soap Company talks us through the many uses of the humble Epsom salt!

Bath Salt by Body Care Luxuries

Before you dismiss the humble Epsom salt as something belonging in your great Granny’s medicine cabinet hear me out – it’s cheap, you can buy a box of them easily from any good chemist and frankly, for a totally uninspiring ingredient it is one which inspires utter devotion in my books! Many people use Epsom Salts on a daily basis to alleviate a massively diverse assortment of ailments and problems but like lavender oil Epsom salt has been tarred with the "old lady" brush and I'd like to redress that by shouting the benefits of Epsom Salts to anyone who will listen…  I am in my early 30s yet always have a jar of them by my bath (as indeed do all my friends now!)

So why have these salts which, as their name reflects, originate from Epsom in the south east of England been used for hundreds of years? Well, there are numerous reasons:

Reason 1: Epsom salts are comprised of magnesium and sulphates which can have some amazing benefits if you use them correctly. The first little known fact is that the magnesium sulphate found in Epsom salt is actually absorbed through your skin! When we feel stressed, the levels of magnesium in our body deplete but Epsom Salts help replenish the magnesium when we pour them into a hot bath and simply soak. The magnesium in the salts helps the body to produce high levels of serotonin, which is the mood raising chemical often found in anti depressants. These properties of Epsom salts help the body operate correctly and can also assist with levels of concentration. Of course – adding essential oils (Lavender and Camomile for an evening being my number one choice, or Rose Geranium for a complete girlie soak to complete the candle and glass of wine experience!) mean they can work together giving aromatherapy benefits alongside.

Luxury Goats Milk & Epsom Bath Salts ~ Citrus Fizz by Be Bubblicious

Reason 2: As well as enabling us to relax and unwind, the salts also help produce adenosine triphosphate, which is the body’s natural chemical that increases energy.

Reason 3: Epsom Salts also have some of the same medical properties as anti-inflammatory’s, which can help aid cramps and relieve natural body pain.

Reason 4: There is also a natural neutraliser in Epsom salts when they are mixed with water which help prevent foot odour. When mixed with oil (such as olive oil) Epsom salts can help remove areas of built up dead skin. Use them as a scrub but never leave the salts on your skin for too long, make sure you rinse off the salts.

Seaweed & Kelp Salt Foot Scrub by Posh Brats Bath & Body Boutique

Reason 5: As a haircare product, if you have oily hair then adding the right amount of salts can help with treatment. You can also help add thickness to thin hair with Epsom salts using them as a cheap homemade volumiser.

Reason 6: Another remedy is if you have a deep splinter which is proving hard to extract then you can bring it to the surface of the skin easily when you soak the problem area in a bowl full of warm water with added salts. A bigger version of this is to soak in a bath with salts in them – particularly great after a big session in the garden I find!

Reason 7: Due to its relaxation properties, it is believed that Epsom salts can help with the prevention of blood clots because they naturally lower blood pressure.

Lavender Bath Salts by Scent Trail

Reason 8: The salts help to increase water in the intestines which can help with constipation problems (however, as you need to swallow the salts for this to be effective, you need to make sure you seek medical advice before using the salts...)

Reason 9: Finally, not only can Epsom salts help the human body, they can also help with the growth and maturity of plants. The salts natural magnesium properties help with chlorophyll development and the salts sulphur properties help the plant to absorb healthier food elements… ask any gardener – a neighbour once asked for a small pot full for his tomatoes!

As you can see, Epsom salts can help many everyday problems. Here in the western world, it has become the norm to turn to tablet medication for a quick fix, not looking at the root of the problem and just addressing the symptoms. There is so much we can do naturally and, for many things, the solution may lie in a product which has been around for hundreds of years. Using Epsom salts alongside or in many cases as a replacement to medication can ensure your problems are eradicated both quickly and effectively.

Ideas to try at home:

• Relaxing and sedative bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of Epsom salt.
• Foot soak: Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a large bowl of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry.
• Soak sprains and bruises: Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak
• Splinter remover: Soak in Epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.
• Face cleaner: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of Epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.
• Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin: mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk powder, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. For normal to dry skin: mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt.
• Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. Have a bath to rinse

About Emma Heathcote-James: Emma founded the Little Soap Company which provides 100% pure, natural handmade soaps to local Waitrose, National trust and health food and farm stores as well as internet orders nationally. Little Soap School days offer one on one or small group luxury days in the workshop in South Worcestershire teaching you how to make your own soaps and natural lotions and potions.