The many Benefits of Epsom Salt........Home, Health and Garden ! Worth the Read

[Guest guest]

(NaturalNews) Epsom salt is a pure mineral compound composed of magnesium and sulfate which has long been known as a natural remedy for many health conditions. Epsom salt can also relax the nervous system and soothe the body, mind, and soul.

The magnesium content in Epsom salt is particularly valuable. Magnesium helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and is essential in orchestrating a number of bodily functions. It aids in calcium absorption and plays a key role in the formation of bones and teeth. It also plays an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health by stabilizing heart rhythm, preventing abnormal blood clotting, and supporting normal blood pressure levels.

Magnesium lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes and helps in recovery from heart attacks and strokes. Magnesium also maintains proper muscle function. Sadly, most Americans are deficient in this important mineral. Therefore, it is no wonder that the incidence of serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis, stress-related illnesses, and chronic fatigue are so prevalent.

Sulfates flush toxins, improve the absorption of nutrients, help form joint proteins, mucin proteins and brain tissue, and help prevent and ease migraine headaches.

Epsom salt also has valuable beauty benefits in that it softens and exfoliates skin, and gives hair extra body. Epsom salt in the bath is a perfect way to ease stress. It replenishes the body's levels of magnesium as it is absorbed through the body. Studies indicate that the magnesium absorbed during the bathing process may raise serotonin levels (the chemical in the brain that creates a feeling of wellbeing), and may also offset excess levels of adrenalin caused by everyday stress. Studies have also found that soaking in Epsom salt at least three times a week increases energy and stamina. Overall, it makes you feel better and even look better.

Following are some of the ways a person can benefit from the use of Epsom salt:

To relieve stress: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to a bath and soak for at least 12 minutes. For a refreshing scent, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil.

To exfoliate: After showering, massage handfuls of Epsom Salt over wet skin.

To pamper weary feet, add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a basin of warm water. Soak for 20 minutes. You can then continue with your pedicure as usual, such as rubbing calluses away with a pumice stone. After drying your feet, you can add two drops of peppermint essential oil to a natural moisturizer and massage into the skin until it is thoroughly rubbed in.

Now that summer is upon us, as we enjoy nature and have fun in the sun, we become more susceptible to skin irritants, such as bug bites, sunburn, and for those of us who like to camp, that dreaded poison ivy, poison oak, and related plants. Epsom salt can help to relieve the discomfort by soothing itching and swelling. In such cases, the following remedies should bring welcome relief:

*Making a compress: Mix cold water and two tablespoons per cup of Epsom Salt. Soak a cotton washcloth in this mixture and apply to the affected area.

*Making a paste: Add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to a cup of hot water, making sure it dissolves. Put in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Clean the affected area and pat dry. Apply the paste.

Besides its numerous health benefits, it also has household and gardening related uses. Examples are cleaning and fertilizing houseplants.

Sources:

http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/e...

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/abo...

http://gomestic.com/homemaking/15-u...

http://www.naturalnews.com/029397_epsom_salt_magnesium.html

Benefits And Uses Of Epsom Salt

Epsom salt, or Magnesium sulfate, is one of the most commonly available natural health and beauty products. The problem with most of the people is that they generally go for fancier packing and rely on the products that are expensive. In fact, the costlier a product, the more they want it. However, the most amazing products come in simple and almost uninspiring packages. Epsom salt is one such product, which is so simple and easily accessible that it is often overlooked. What you need to know is that this simple, yet amazing; product has so much say in your day-to-day life that you need to store it in your pantry throughout the year. It is one product that can serve multitude of purposes, right from health to beauty to garden. So, why waste money in buying costlier products, when you can have this multitasking product almost free! Let us learn more about the benefits and uses of Epsom Salt.

Uses Of Epsom Salt

For Beauty

Epsom salt is an excellent beauty product. It is widely used in many beauty products, as an ingredient. However, since it is lackluster and without a fancy cover, it is often ignored by people. Nevertheless, this salt is the beauty secret of many super models and they swear by it.

A Great Exfoliator

Epsom salt serves as one of the best exfoliator for the skin. Just rub Epsom salt directly onto the skin or put a few drops of essential oils in it, to clean your skin. Rinse it off thoroughly and find yourself with cleaner, smoother skin.

Hair Conditioner

Heat Epsom salt with equal amount of conditioner and apply it to your hair. Leave on for twenty minutes and then wash your hair with cold water. You will be amazed by the natural glow of your hair.

Relaxing Bath

Epsom salt is widely used in bathing creams. Just add two cups of Epsom salt in warm water and bathe with it, especially after a long day at work. It will sooth and relax you and you will find yourself refreshed.

Face Cleaner

Mix Epsom salt with your regular cleanser and slowly massage it onto your skin. Wash it off and find yourself with cleaner and smoother face.

Hair Voluminizer

Combine deep conditioner and Epsom salt and after heating it slightly, apply all over your scalp. Leave on for twenty minutes and then rinse off with water. It will help increase the volume of your hair. You can even remove excess oil from your hair by mixing an oily-hair shampoo with it. Keep it on for fifteen minutes and then rinse your hair with water.

Health Benefits Of Epsom Salt

The scientific name of Epsom salt, Magnesium sulfate, says a lot about its medicinal properties. The magnesium is crucial for our health, as it regulates activities of different enzymes in the body, helps muscles and nerves in working properly and makes insulin more effective. In fact, it does a lot more in our body, than we can imagine. Some of its health benefits have been listed below:

Works Wonder On Splinter & Swelling

When mixed with water, Epsom salt helps in getting rid of the splinters. In addition, it helps in reducing the swell of sprains and bruises and works wonder on your body.

Removes Toxins From The Body

The sulfate of this salt helps in removing toxins from the body and improves absorption of nutrients. However, it is very hard to get sulfate through food, so the best option for you would be to bathe in warm water, in which Epsom salt has been added.

Helps Get Rid Of Constipation

A person with constipation problem can take two teaspoons of Epsom salt, in warm water, to get rid of the problem.

Removes Stress

If bathed in Epsom salt, mixed in warm water, a person can get rid of stress. The magnesium present in Epsom salt helps in binding serotonin with the brain and provides relaxation.

Improves Stamina

Epsom salt can improve the stamina of a person, as it promotes adenosine triphosphate production. It helps the body get more oxygen and absorb more nutrients.

Treat Toenail Fungus & Removes Foot Odor

Epsom salt can help remove toenail fungus. All you have to do is soak your feet in hot water, in which a hand full of Epsom salt has been added. In addition, it helps in getting rid of foot odor, softens the feet, and soothes any ache.

In The Garden

Epsom salt is also helpful in keeping your plants healthy and your garden green. It is environment-friendly and helps the seed germinate, makes the plants more vigorous, and helps the plants in producing more flowers.

Acts As A Fertilizer

The magnesium and sulfur present in Epsom salt are equally good for plants. They help increase the chlorophyll and you don’t have to worry about their altering the soil condition, like others poisonous fertilizers. Studies have shown that it is more useful in growing plants and fruits, as opposed to other fertilizers.

Prevents Slug

You can put the salt on the terrace, to keep the slug from coming inside your home. If poured on the insect, it can even kill it.

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-and-uses-of-epsom-salt-5167.html

Clever Epsom Salt Tricks

Get rid of raccoons

Are the masked night marauders poking around your trash can, creating a mess and raising a din? A few tablespoons of Epsom salt spread around your garbage cans will deter the raccoons, who don't like the taste of the stuff. Don't forget to reapply after it rains

Deter slugs

Are you tired of visiting your yard at night only to find the place crawling with slimy slugs? Sprinkle Epsom salt where they glide and say good-bye to the slugs.

Fertilize tomatoes and other plants

Want those Big Boys to be big? Add Epsom salt as a foolproof fertilizer. Every week, for every foot of height of your tomato plant, add one tablespoon. Your tomatoes will be the envy of the neighbor-hood. Epsom salt is also a good fertilizer for houseplants, roses and other flowers, and trees.

Make your grass greener

How green is your valley? Not green enough, you say? Epsom salt, which adds needed magnesium and iron to your soil, may be the answer. Add 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of water. Spread on your lawn and then water it with plain water to make sure it soaks into the grass.

Clean bathroom tiles

Is the tile in your bathroom getting that grungy look? Time to bring in the Epsom salt. Mix it in equal parts with liquid dish detergent, then dab it onto the offending area and start scrubbing. The Epsom salt works with the detergent to scrub and dissolve the grime.

Regenerate a car battery

Is your car battery starting to sound as if it won't turn over? Worried that you'll be stuck the next time you try to start your car? Give your battery a little more life with this potion. Dissolve about an ounce of Epsom salt in warm water and add it to each battery cell.

Get rid of blackheads

Here's a surefire way to dislodge blackheads: Mix 1 teaspoon Epsom salt and 3 drops iodine in 1/2 cup boiling water. When the mixture cools enough to stick your finger in it, apply it to the blackhead with a cotton ball. Repeat this three or four times, reheating the solution if necessary. Gently remove the blackhead and then dab the area with an alcohol-based astringent.

Frost your windows for Christmas

If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, but the weather won't cooperate, at least you can make your windows look frosty. Mix Epsom salt with stale beer until the salt stops dissolving. Apply the mixture to your windows with a sponge -- for a realistic look, sweep the sponge in an arc at the bottom corners. When the mixture dries, the windows will look frosted.

Magnesium, a major component of Epsom Salt, is vital for many bodily functions. Magnesium can be taken internally or you can get the same benefits from taking bath with it. In addition to the health benefits there are other uses for Epsom salt.

1. Eliminates Toxins from the Body:

Add two cups of Epsom salt to the water in a bath tub. Soak for 10 minutes at least weekly once. It relaxes your body and muscles, eliminates toxins from the body and reduces the swellings of sprains.

2. Exfoliates Skin:

Sprinkle small amount of essential oil to Epsom salt and clean your skin. Or you can rub the Epsom salt directly on the skin to make it smooth and silky. Then rinse thoroughly.

3. Athlete's Foot:

Soaking in it helps you relieve from athlete's foot.

4. Cleans Bathroom Tiles:

Take the mixture of equal parts of Epsom salt and liquid dish detergent and apply on the dirty places in bathroom.

5. As a First Aid:

Mix a thick paste of this salt with hot water and apply to get soothing comfort.

6. Hair Conditioner:

Warm the mixture of equal amounts of conditioner and this salt for 15 seconds. Apply this mixture through your hair from scalp to end; leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water; you can observe the natural glow in your hair.

7. Removes Foot Odor:

Mix half-cup of this salt in warm water and keep your feet for 10 minutes. This soothes achy feet, removes bad odor and softens the rough skin.

8. Keeps your Lawn Pleasant:

Add 2 tablespoons of it to a gallon of water and sprinkle this water on your lawn to keep the grass green.

9. As a Fertilizer for your Houseplants:

Sprinkle it weekly once to nourish your houseplants, flowers and vegetables.

10. Relieves from Constipation:

Dissolve 2 to 3 teaspoons of this salt into a cup of water and drink twice to get relief from constipation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valli_S

When the power of love

overcomes the love of power

the world will know peace.

~ Jimi Hendrix