Do you remember on My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the father tells everyone to put Windex on all their ailments? Well, that is me, but with epsom salt.
When you think epsom salt it brings up the vision of some old person soaking in a tub, right? Yes, this is pretty much the way my view skewed as well. I never really thought about what you were supposed to do with it...just that it made me think of old people and hospitals. I must say that the epsom salt people (whomever they might be) haven't done a great marketing campaign to push this otherwise great product.
So what is epsom salt?
Epsom salt is made up of two components essential for good health - magnesium and sulfate.
Word on the street is that soaking in epsom salt raises the body's magnesium level. Proper magnesium in the body can contribute to some pretty great stuff like:
- Easing stress and improving sleep and concentration
- Helping muscles and nerves function properly
- Regulating activity of 325+ enzymes
- Reducing inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps
- Improving oxygen use
- Improving heart and circulatory health
- Reducing irregular heartbeats
- Helping prevent the hardening of the arteries
- Reducing blood clots
- Lowering blood pressure
Wow. That is a lot of stuff! But, wait, I'm not finished. We haven't even gotten to the benefits of sulfates yet...
- Flushing toxins from the body
- Improving absorption of nutrients
- Helping to form joint proteins, brain tissues and mucin proteins
- Helping to prevent or ease migraine headaches
- Stimulating the pancreas
For reals. Epsom salt seems to do everything. Some practical uses include:
- Soothe sore muscles
- Relieve sports injuries
- Ease tired, aching feet
- Treat bites, stings and poison ivy
- Treat medical conditions - people use epsom salt for treating things ranging from autism (yes, totally weird) and arthritis
- Laxative - yep, you can drink the stuff and poo (who knew?)
And if you didn't get enough use cases for why you should use epsom salts...
You can also use it to fertilize your rose bush and it will make it flower like crazy. Or use a tiny bit in your freshly cut flowers' vase to keep them alive a bit longer.
The best thing about epsom salt is that it doesn't break your bank. Forget those stupid lavender scented sea salts that cost $30 for a tiny jar. I bought a 9lb bag at Walgreens for $7 and that will probably last me (a frequent bather) about 4 months. They typically put epsom salt on the bottom shelf in some forgotten aisle and the packaging is anything but glamourous. And if you still want that lavender scented spa treatment, simply add some scented oil to some of your salt and put it in a pretty jar. No one will know the difference.
