Epsom salt is in such high demand in my house that its hard to keep it on hand, and between purchases I can actually feel the difference in my body.  Here are my personal top 5 ways to use Epsom salt at home out of the vast multitude!

First of all, it’s a bit of an eye-opener to learn what Epsom salt actually is!  It is not a salt.  Epsom salt is actually a mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate.  Many of us are deficient in magnesium because it isn’t an easy mineral to absorb from food.  Many studies have concluded that a shortage in magnesium is linked to increased muscle tension, migraines, fatigue, PMS, insomnia among other health issues.  Wild, right? No wonder why I notice it so much when its not in my bathroom cupboard!

My 5 Favorite Uses For Epsom Salt

1. Epsom Baths! It appears that we can absorb magnesium quite readily through our skin, so the classic bath in a cup or two of Epsom salt per big tub of very warm to hot (not scalding or uncomfortable) water is a big dose of magnesium for your body.  I can last for about 20 minutes in a tub, and I feel best when I steep in it a few times a week.  I sleep better, my body in more flexible and I actually feel more at ease. Epsom Salt is one of my favorite parts of a detox bath (more on detox baths here) as the sulfate actually assists the body in detoxification. Also, try to drink more water before and after this bath; I notice its a bit more dehydrating than the typical bath if I don’t drink enough.

2. Puppy Foot Soak. Yep, Bobby (my dog)  starts licking his paws and they become extremely irritated in the Spring and Summer.  The solution:  I soak his paws in 1/2 cup Epsom salt dissolved in about 3 cups of warm water. I keep adding water and stirring.  He’s little, so I stick his feet in a Tupperware filled with the solution for about 10 minutes. It makes a huge difference.

3. Hair Treatment.  I first saw this tip on Treehugger and its pretty amazing: mix half conditioner and half Epsom salt and apply to your wet hair as a masque for 20 minutes. Voluminousness & conditioning : I like both those words!

4. House Plant Fertilizer. The Epsom Salt Council recommends mixing up 2 tbs of Epsom salt per gallon of water and watering your plants with the mixture. I have lazily sprinkled a bit of Epsom salt atop my houseplant soil (very tiny bit) and watered over it (this is my lazy solution to all plant fertilizing and so far, so good!) and it has worked out, but I will move to the more elegant mixing of solution given that I will have more plants soon!

5. Super-Easy Scrub: Two parts Epsom salt, one part olive oil = fabulous body scrub.  (*Do not use any scrubs on injured or irritated skin- I have, in moments of not thinking about it, and its not fun.) You can add essential oil and other fun stuff to the mix, but it is wonderful as-is!

The Epsom Salt Council has an enormous array of uses for Epsom salt if you’d like to explore further, but these are some of my personal favorites! What is your favorite way to use Epsom salt? I’d love to know; this stuff is magic! xoxo Dana

note disclaimer: please contact your doctor if you have any heath concerns.