Uses for Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is Epsom salt---also known as magnesium sulfate---whether you get it at the pharmacy, a gardening center or even the pet store. It's an inexpensive rock-like crystal that's often recommended for achy joints, beauty remedies and even to clean your bathroom tiles, says Reader's Digest. But that's just the beginning of what you can do with Epsom salt. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Fertilizer
-
Magnesium and sulfate, both Epsom salt ingredients, are also naturally found in soil. But tilling the soil can deplete it, so add Epsom salt to your soil to encourage plant growth. The magnesium causes seeds to germinate and creates full flowers in the garden. Tomatoes and roses apparently love the stuff: According to the Epsom Salt Council (ESC), you should sprinkle one tablespoon of Epsom salt over the dirt around the tomato plant for each foot of plant height. For roses, the council says, sprinkle one tablespoon over the dirt for each foot. Repeat this treatment every two weeks.
Exfoliant
-
If the soles of your feet need some tender loving care, it's Epsom salt to the rescue. Used in its crystal form, Epsom salt is an excellent exfoliant. The ESC recommends mixing two cups of Epsom salt with ¼ cup of petroleum jelly. Add in a few drops of lavender essential oil. Slather the combo all over your elbows, knees, feet and anywhere else where you want to rub out dry skin.
-
Bath
-
Whether you've just finished a strenuous treadmill workout or you're still tense from the morning meeting, a soak in an Epsom salt bath may be just what you need to relax. Put two cups of Epsom salt in a hot bath and soak for about12 minutes, suggests the ESC. Take care, however, if you have a medical condition or an open wound. The magnesium and sulfate in Epsom salt are absorbed into the skin and may be harmful to people with certain conditions, so talk to your doctor first.
Stop Itchy Insect Bites
-
Insect bites certainly don't feel good. And if you scratch them too much, they don't look good either. Epsom salts may be able to heal that itchiness, the ESC says. Add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to a glass of warm water and stir. Dip a cotton ball in the solution and place it on the insect bite for 10 to 15 minutes. The itching should subside. However, just like the bath, make sure you talk to your doctor if you have any medical conditions.
Grow Crystals
-
If you're looking for an indoor activity for the little ones in your house, pull out the Epsom salt and try this experiment from the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco. You'll need a pan, black construction paper, scissors, warm water and some sunlight. Cut out the construction paper so that it fits neatly in the bottom of the pan. In a measuring cup, stir a tablespoon of Epsom salt into ¼ cup of warm water. When the salt has dissolved, pour the mixture into the pan. Place the pan in direct sunlight. When the Epsom saltwater evaporates, you'll see spike-like crystals on the paper. Put it under a microscope for even more fun.
-
