Epsom salt is used for many purposes including making bath salts. It is not only inexpensive and readily available, but provides many health and beauty benefits. Benefits include:
- Ease stress
- Reduce pain and relieve sore muscles
- Soften and exfoliate skin
- Relieve fatigue
- Aids in circulation
Tips for Using Epsom salt
1. Add 1-2 cups salt to warm or hot water in bath tub (as hot as you can tolerate). I find it is best to add the salt while the water is running. If it has not completely dissolved after the tub is filled, stir the water with your hand; this should speed up the process. Soak for 15 minutes but not longer than 30 minutes. Bath water should be no more than 105 degrees. I know you don’t generally, have a thermometer for use in the bath tub. Me either! So about as hot as you can tolerate. Hot water has a tendency to dry your skin, therefore, you do not soak for a long period of time.
2. Use as a Foot Soak. Add approximately ½ cup salt to warm water and soak feet for 10-15 minutes. Rinse feet in cool water.
3. Epsom salt can be used as Foot Scrub. Rub Epsom salt on feet before or after you finish showering. Using pumice stone or foot file gently rub salt on heels, soles and sides of feet. Rinse. Your feet should feel very soft and smooth because it softens and exfoliates.
4. Make a fragrant bath salt by adding your favorite perfume, Eau de Toilette Spray, fragrant or essential oils to Epsom salt.
Basic Recipe
- 2 cups Epsom Salt
1 teaspoon fragrance or essential oil
Mix together in a glass bowl. Yield: 2 cups. Enough for 1 or 2 baths. May add a few drops of color if desired.
Store in recycle plastic jar or plastic disposable food container. If stored in a plastic food container, the container can not be used for food again. Label your container.
Epsom salt can be purchased at any discount or drug store in the health & beauty section near the pharmacy. http://www.saveonscents.com offers fragrant and essential oils at reasonable prices. Experiment by combining Epsom salt with a more expensive salt such Himalayan salt. Indulge yourself!
