Home Remedies Using Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is the common name for magnesium sulfate, a chemical compound that has been used for many years as a home remedy for various health problems and as a beauty aid. The use of Epsom salt is sometimes overshadowed by new products on the market that claim to get the same results, but this age-old remedy is still around and is an easy and inexpensive way to treat several conditions.

Arthritis

• Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It causes pain and stiffness in the joints and restricts movement for those who have it. Relief from arthritis symptoms is possible by using Epsom salt in one of two ways.

  An Epsom salt bath consisting of three cups of Epsom salt in a tub of hot bath water will allow the magnesium to be absorbed into the body. This absorption results in looser, more relaxed muscles and joints.

  Arthritis patients can also take an oral dose of Epsom salt to relieve pain and stiffness. Check with your doctor before starting an Epsom salt regimen to verify that you do not have heart problems, as the oral dose could result in abnormal heart activity in some people. It may also cause nausea, diarrhea or crams in some, according to the Home Remedies Web website. Mix three tablespoons of lemon juice and three tablespoons of Epsom salt and dissolve it into a pint of warm water. Bottle it and then take one teaspoon in the morning and one more before bed to relive arthritis pain.

Exfoliate

• For dry, flaky skin some people like to exfoliate to reveal a skin surface that looks young and vibrant. Epsom salt can be a good home remedy for this task.

  After a shower and when your skin is still moist, rub some grains of the Epsom salt directly on the areas you wish to exfoliate. This is ideal for rough and dry elbows or knees. If you wish to exfoliate your face, use a small pinch of Epsom salt and a small amount of almond oil and use your fingers to rub it in circles on your face, according to the Natural Home Remedies website. Remember to rinse afterwards.

Laxative

• Epsom salt is an effective laxative. If you do not have regular bowel movements, you can place 1/4 quarter teaspoon of Epsom salt in a glass of warm water and stir. Drink the entire glass of water and go for a walk. Often this will result in a bowel movement within a short time.

Stress Relief

• Although Epsom salt baths are helpful to those with arthritis pain, they are not the only ones who can benefit from it. Anyone with sore muscles or high stress can take an Epsom Salt bath to relax the muscles and relieve stress significantly. Just as you would with arthritis treatment, pour three cups of the salt into the hot bath and soak your worries away.