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For many years, Epsom salt has been hailed as a beneficial element for a whole host of things. Sourced from a salt spring in Surrey, England, it contains a range of minerals, including sulfur and magnesium, which are thought to benefit our health and beauty in a number of ways. As these minerals are absorbed into the body, through dissolving the salt in warm bath water, for example, it can treat both outside and inside conditions.
Over time, Epsom salt has been used to treat sore muscles, to soothe dry skin, to heal small wounds and to naturally exfoliate skin (info from The Alternative Daily will go into more detail). Its naturalness also makes Epsom salt largely safe to use, but it is recommended to speak to a health care professional if you do have any concerns, you’ve got any medical conditions or you’re pregnant.
Here are just some of the amazing ways you can use Epsom salt in your beauty regime:
Adding Volume to Your Hair
Conditioner can often leave your hair feeling heavy, oily and lackluster but creating your own Epsom salt volumizer could resolve this problem in an instant. To create this, you’ll just need one part of Epsom salt to one part of your normal conditioner and a bowl to place these in. Mix them together in the bowl and apply the conditioner like you normally would (avoiding your roots if you do suffer from greasy hair). Leave this mixture in your hair for 20 minutes before rinsing it out – and voila! You can then repeat weekly or as and when you feel your hair needs a little added volume.
Easing the Pain of Sunburn
We all know how painful sunburn can be, and no matter how careful we are, the sun can still catch us out. So, when you find yourself uncomfortable with sunburn, why not turn to the anti-inflammatory properties of Epsom salt? This can help to reduce the irritation that your sunburn is causing, helping you to feel comfortable and to soothe your skin. All you need is a cup of water, 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt and an empty spray bottle.
Mix the salt and water together before pouring into the spray bottle. Then, spray onto the tender area as and when you need some relief.
Relieving Dry Lips
Whatever the weather, you may suffer from dry lips, and these can be incredibly uncomfortable. To make your lips look fuller and healthier, you could use this simple Epsom salt technique, which will help to remove the dry and dead skin off your lips.
To create this lip salve, you’ll just need two tablespoons of cacao butter or coconut oil, a teaspoon of Epsom salt and a small bowl. Mix the oil or butter with the salt in the small bowl before applying onto your lips and gently rubbing it in. Watch as your lips start to become smoother and the irritating dry skin is removed.
Removing the Itch from a Bug Bite
It is the anti-inflammatory properties in Epsom salt that come to the rescue again here as they can help to reduce the infection and irritation of a bug bite. Simply mix together one cup of water with two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a medium-size bowl. Then dip a clean washcloth into the mixture and apply to the affected area as and when pain relief is needed.
Soothing Sore Muscles
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the anti-inflammatory properties are what make Epsom salt a great pain reliever when you’ve got sore muscles from over-exerting yourself. All you need to soothe these aches and pains is a cup of hot water and a teaspoon of Epsom salt and a medium-size bowl.
Dissolve the teaspoon of salt in the hot water before cooling the solution in a freezer for 20 minutes. Clean the area you want to treat before drying it thoroughly. Then, apply the cold solution onto the painful area, leaving for 20 minutes.
There’s no limit to the health benefits Epsom salt can provide, as it’s also been found to help with the pain associated with poison ivy, to remove splinters and thorns, to help provide a good night’s sleep and to relieve a number of foot problems. So, next time you’ve got an ailment and you’re looking for a natural treatment, why not look to see if Epsom salt can provide the solution? You might just be surprised at how effective it is!
About the Author
Kai Ward writes about natural remedies, using nature to better your body and living a green and eco-friendly lifestyle as much as one can in today’s world. She works in a health food store 5 days a week and enjoys article writing on her free weekends.