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Curing Yellowing Cucumber Leaves with Epsom Salt/Magnesium (video)

How to use epsom salts in the garden

Uses of Magnesium Sulfate by bussle.com

Magnesium sulfate has a number of medical as well as non medical uses. Let's get a brief overview about the uses and benefits of this chemical substance from this article.

Magnesium sulfate is an important chemical compound. Its constituent elements are magnesium, sulfur and oxygen. It is denoted by the chemical formula MgSO4. Basically, it can be identified as a colorless, odorless, solid substance. This naturally occurring mineral is mostly found in hydrated state. This is because it tends to absorb water from the atmosphere. One of its most widely available hydrated form is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, also known as Epsom salt. It has 7 molecules of water of crystallization and is represented by MgSO4.7H2O. 

General Uses

One of its major uses is in agriculture and gardening where it is used as a fertilizer. It is often applied to magnesium deficient soil to make it fertile. As it is soluble in water, it is readily absorbed into the soil. Magnesium thus obtained is good for plants because it is a key component of chlorophyll molecule that absorbs sunlight and utilizes the light energy for the process of manufacture of food for plants during photosynthesis. It is required mostly for crops like tomatoes, potatoes and roses which need plenty of magnesium for proper growth. 

Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate or Epsom salt needs to be added in marine aquarium after frequent interval of time. This is done to prevent deficiency of magnesium in the saltwater. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate acts as an excellent dehydrating agent in chemical synthesis of organic compounds. Anhydrous form is used in this process mainly because it is hygroscopic in nature and has affinity for water. Another use is as a coagulating agent in soy milk for making tofu. 

Medical Uses

Magnesium sulfate has a wide range of therapeutic uses. Magnesium present in it is highly beneficial for proper functioning of the nerves, muscles and various systems of the body. Some of the key medicinal uses are :

Magnesium sulfate has laxative properties and provides relief from constipation. When taken orally, it stimulates bowel movement and enables easier passage of stool.

It can be used for the treatment of preeclampsia in pregnant women. This is a pregnancy condition characterized by high blood pressure and excessive protein in urine. In this condition, magnesium sulfate injections are given to lower blood pressure. This in turn reduces the risk of eclampsia which is a more serious condition due to which pregnant women may suffer convulsions during labor that can lead to life-threatening conditions for them as well as the unborn child.

Sometimes, it is administered intravenously or intramuscularly to pregnant women in order to prevent premature labor. It is also used to reduce convulsions during childbirth.

It is also used for treating severe asthma attacks. When given intravenously, it reduces inflammation within the air passage and facilitates normal airflow.

Epsom salt dissolved in water can be applied topically on arthritic joints. It reduces swelling of joints and stiffness of surrounding muscles and thus gives significant relief from joint pain.

Similarly, patients suffering from osteoporosis have also experienced marked improvement in the painful condition after application of Epsom salt gel.

Epsom salt is a key ingredient in bath salts. Bath salts containing Epsom salt is used in flotation therapy for complete relaxation of the body. A traditional method of comforting sore feet, is taking a footbath where Epsom salt has been added to the water.

It can cure a number of skin problems. It can be applied directly on acne, boils, etc. without any fear of any adverse effect. On application, it gets absorbed into the skin easily and reduces skin inflammation. Those with dry skin can use Epsom salt for skin exfoliation. When rubbed over the skin surface, it helps in removal of dry and dead skin cells and makes the skin soft and smooth.

Epsom salt can be included in the hair care regime as well. When applied with shampoo, it absorbs the excess oil from oily hair and adds a glow and bounce to the hair. A warm mixture of hair conditioner and Epsom salt when used on hair adds shine to it.

I would like to tell you one thing that you must consult your physician first before using magnesium sulfate for medicinal purposes. Even though there is no major side effect, but overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, lethargy, etc. Moreover, it can interact with other drugs and cause unnecessary complications.

Natural Fertilizer For Orchid - by Woordplanet.info

Orchid is a wonderful flower that everyone like to plan at home or garden. It is easy to plan and not require to much fertilizers as well. But if you want more flower bloom frequently, we should to think about fertilizer for your orchids. And if you don’t want to waist money or can’t find a good fertilizer for your orchids, you can choose natural fertilizer.

Fertilizer requirement of orchids

Generally orchid has a low requirement for fertilizers. However, since they grow best in low-nutrient low bark mixes, you do need to administer some form of fertilizer.

Eggshells
Orchids thrive on potassium and calcium, and eggshells are an excellent source. Crush eggshells using a mortar and pestle and sprinkle on orchid bark. This helps to keep it from washing away during watering. Or you can use dried eggshells that also are a good source of calcium and other nutrients. Crush eggshells, then boil them in a large pot of water. Once the water reaches the boiling point, turn off the heat and allow the eggshells to steep for up to eight hours. You can discard the shells, and pour the water into a spray bottle for easy use. Just spray onto the bark around the orchids. Alternatively, you can just grind up eggshells and sprinkle around the plant. This is not as effective a method, however.

Potatoes
Potatoes provide potassium and a small amount of phosphorus, both essential for healthy orchid growth and flowering. Cut unpeeled potatoes into small pieces and boil until well done. Cool and add periodically to the bark in the pot to provide potassium to orchids. Or you can dice the potatoes into very small chunks, leaving on the skin. For even more potassium, you can add small pieces of banana. Boil this mixture for several minutes, and allow it to reach room temperature before use. For better nutrient balance, add 1 tsp. of Epsom salt, which will add magnesium. Use this mixture to water your orchids as usual.

Epsom salt
Epsom salt provides magnesium for the orchid. This promotes healthier growth and stronger roots. Mix 1 tsp. Epsom salt to water and use as part of regular fertilizing.

Molasses
Mix a teaspoon of molasses in 1 to 2 cups of water. Use the mixture to water the plant. Molasses is a rich source of potassium.

Nitrogen
The key to remember when making homemade fertilizers for orchids is that orchids need a fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen than ordinary plants. This is because orchids are not potted in soil. An orchid’s potting medium usually consists of tree bark. The bark is home to nitrogen-loving bacteria that usually consume most of the nitrogen in fertilizers, leaving very little for the orchid itself.

Tea
Used tea bags, which are high in nitrogen, are especially good for orchids. Compared to commercial fertilizers, tea bags contain organic matter that is nontoxic and does not smell bad. To use the tea bag, open it and empty the contents into the orchid pot. Apply tea once monthly in the spring and summer months.

Milk or Buttermilk
Both milk and buttermilk are animal products that are high in nitrogen because of their protein content. Additionally, because most people use them in their homes, it is a product that is easy to find and use. To use milk as a fertilizer, take an empty milk carton, fill it with water and swish it around. The dregs of the milk will be transferred to the water. You can then water your orchids with the milky water.

Nutrients
In their native habitats, orchids get nutrients from the air, water and whatever is nearby. Grown at home, it is up to you to provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and optimal flowering. Orchids require a proper balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with trace elements. Nitrogen promotes healthy stems and foliage, phosphorus makes roots strong and potassium promotes healthy flowers. These three nutrients are macronutrients. Trace elements include iron, zinc, copper and boron.

Rice Water
A good source of vitamins such as niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid necessary for healthy orchid growth is water used for boiling rice. The Care for Your Orchids website recommends using brown rice rather than white. It’s an easy fertilizer to make — after cooking rice, let the leftover water cool, then water the orchid. Make the rice water a more balanced fertilizer by dissolving Epsom salt, which contains magnesium, or molasses, a good source of potassium, into the water before use.

Remember: Orchid needs only the sun light in the morning. It doesn’t like the sun light at afternoon. If possible try to hide your orchid from sun light at the afternoon time. You can notice your orchid has enough light by seeing their leaf. If their leaf change to yellow color, mean that your orchid are burned with too much sun light. If their leaf is too dark green, mean that your orchid has not enough light. So the healthy orchid should be has light green leaf.
The key to remember when making homemade fertilizers for orchids is that orchids need a fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen than ordinary plants. This is because orchids are not potted in soil. An orchid’s potting medium usually consists of tree bark. The bark is home to nitrogen-loving bacteria that usually consume most of the nitrogen in fertilizers, leaving very little for the orchid itself.

Fertilize with Epsom Salts - by The National Gardening Association

by Charlie Nardozzi

Spray a solution of Epsom salts to quickly boost magnesium levels in leaves

After working with home gardeners for more than 10 years, I know that they love to use home remedies on their plants. From setting out beer traps for slugs to hanging bars of soap to repel deer, if the household product seems to work, gardeners try it. That's why I was intrigued by the often-mentioned idea of using Epsom salts as a fertilizer.

Gardeners apply it to tomatoes, peppers, and roses, hoping to produce more flowers, greener plants, and higher yields. You can use it to improve magnesium content if you know you have a soil that's deficient in that element, but home gardeners are most likely to apply Epsom salts to peppers, tomatoes, and roses.

I wanted to find out if it really works and learn the best ways to apply it for best growth, so last summer I asked some of our test gardeners (home gardeners who tested seeds and products for National Gardening) to test Epsom salts' effects on plant growth and vigor by applying it to pepper plants and roses. Then I talked to researchers about using the salts as fertilizer. Here's what I found out.

The History and Science of Epsom Salts

This natural mineral, discovered in the well water of Epsom, England, has been used for hundreds of years, not only to fertilize plants but to treat a range of human and animal ailments. Who hasn't soaked sore feet in it at least once?

Chemically, Epsom salts is hydrated magnesium sulfate (about 10 percent magnesium and 13 percent sulfur). Magnesium is critical for seed germination and the production of chlorophyll, fruit, and nuts. Magnesium helps strengthen cell walls and improves plants' uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

Sulfur, a key element in plant growth, is critical to production of vitamins, amino acids (therefore protein), and enzymes. It's also the compound that gives vegetables such as broccoli and onions their flavors. Sulfur is seldom deficient in garden soils in North America because acid rain and commonly used animal manures contain sulfur, as do chemical fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate.

The causes and effects of magnesium deficiencies vary. Vegetables such as beans, peas, lettuce, and spinach can grow and produce good yields in soils with low magnesium levels, but plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and roses need high levels of magnesium for optimal growth. However, plants may not show the effects of magnesium deficiency until it's severe. Some common deficiency symptoms are yellowing of the leaves between the veins, leaf curling, stunted growth, and lack of sweetness in the fruit.

Magnesium tends to be lacking in old, weathered soils with low pH, notably in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest. Soils with a pH above 7 and soils high in calcium and potassium also generally have low magnesium levels. Calcium and potassium compete with magnesium for uptake by plant roots, and magnesium often loses. Sometimes, a soil test will show adequate magnesium levels in soil, but a plant grown in that soil may still be deficient because of that competition.

Gardeners add magnesium when they apply dolomitic lime to raise the soil's pH. However, this product (46 percent calcium carbonate, 38 percent magnesium carbonate) breaks down slowly, and the calcium can interfere with magnesium uptake. For soils with a pH above 7, many gardeners use Sul-Po-Mag (22 percent sulfur, 22 percent potassium, 11 percent magnesium) to increase magnesium. Although dolomitic lime and Sul-Po-Mag are inexpensive ways to add magnesium, Epsom salts' advantage over them is its high solubility.

When diluted with water, and especially when applied as a foliar spray, Epsom salts can be taken up quickly by plants. Epsom salts' magnesium content, high solubility, and ease of application as a foliar spray are the main reasons for the positive results many gardeners see in their plants.

What Our Testers Found

To get a first-hand look at the effectiveness of Epsom salts in the garden, we asked six of our testers (in California, Colorado, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee) to try Epsom salts on peppers and roses. Testers each grew six 'Gypsy' peppers. They applied 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts mixed with a gallon of water as a foliar spray to three plants at bloom time and again 10 days later. They also selected two established rose bushes of the same variety and sprayed the same amount of Epsom salts mixed with water to one bush every 6 weeks, starting when leaves came out and continuing through the summer (about 4 applications). We asked them to record the number of pepper fruits and rose blooms, and to note any differences they saw.

Four out of the six testers reported that the Epsom salts-treated pepper plants and fruits were larger than the controls. For the treated roses, testers reported greener foliage, bushier plants, and more roses than on the control plants.

Kathy Stone Downie of Alameda, California, noticed many differences in her treated 'Gypsy' peppers. "The fruits were much bigger, almost twice the size. They were juicier, sweeter, and triple the thickness of the untreated peppers." Tommy Owen, in Rogersville, Tennessee, said that his treated roses had greener foliage and bigger flowers with deeper colors.

Recent Studies of Epsom Salts

Scientists are beginning to test its use. Although many studies confirm that magnesium sulfate is a good way to supply magnesium and sulfur to soils deficient in those elements, little research has been done on the use of Epsom salts as a supplemental fertilizer on soils with adequate levels of these nutrients.

Renee Schloupt, horticulturist at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is testing peppers and tomatoes grown in a greenhouse environment under drought and nondrought conditions. She's comparing control plants with those watered with applications of 1, 2, and 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts mixed with 1 gallon of water and applied at planting, flowering, and fruit set. So far, she has not seen any measurable evidence of growth or yield differences in the treated tomatoes or peppers. "The peppers have greener leaves, and it seems the 1- and 2-tablespoon doses yield a better result than the 3-tablespoon dose, but I haven't seen any dramatic effects on yields so far," she says. "The magnesium in the Epsom salts applied to the soil could be getting tied up with other nutrients. We might see better results when we apply Epsom salts directly to the leaves."

At Auburn University in Alabama, plant pathologist Kira Bowen and soil scientist Beth Guertal see similar results when they apply Epsom salts directly on the soil. They are conducting a 3-year study of roses in field plots that includes applying 1 cup of Epsom salts per plant per month as one of the treatments to increase plant vigor and control black spot. "The first year, we saw reduced defoliation in the Epsom salts-treated plants, but the second year the differences weren't there," Bowen reports. "It's hard to find a direct link between a specific nutrient such as magnesium sulfate and increased yield or plant growth because of all the other variables in the soil, such as pH, calcium and potassium content, and weather, that may affect the plants."

Is Using Epsom Salts Worth a Try?

In their studies, researchers applied Epsom salts directly to the soil. Foliar applications, such as those our test gardeners used, appear to be a better way to guarantee that the plants get the benefits of the added magnesium.

Before you try Epsom salts, test the soil to determine its magnesium content. Don't rely on Epsom salts to correct large soil magnesium deficiencies, but rather use it as a supplement to soils with adequate or slightly low magnesium levels to boost plant growth, flowering, and fruiting. For severely magnesium-deficient soils, use dolomitic lime or Sul-Po-Mag. Foliar applications of Epsom salts seem work better than adding it, dry or mixed with water, directly to the soil. Plants may not efficiently take up magnesium sulfate in granular form, especially in alkaline soils or soils that already test high in potassium, calcium, or magnesium. If you have tested your soil and know it has those qualities, a foliar application is a faster way to get the nutrients to the plant.

Roses

Many rosarians agree that Epsom salts-treated planats produce more new canes at the bottom of the plant (bottom breaks) and darker green foliage. Recommendations on how much to use vary, but generally you can apply 1/2 cup of granules in spring before buds first begin to open and 1/2 cup in fall before leaves drop. Apply a foliar spray (1 tablespoon per gallon of water per foot of shrub height) after the leaves open in spring and again at flowering.

Tomato and Peppers

Magnesium deficiency in the soil may be one reason your tomato leaves yellow between the leaf veins late in the season and fruit production slows down. Test your soil every 3 years or so to check on nutrient levels. Epsom salts can keep plants greener and bushier, enhance production of healthier fruit later in the season, and potentially help reduce blossom-end rot. Apply 1 tablespoon of granules around each transplant, or spray a solution of 1 tablespoon Epsom salts per gallon of water at transplanting, first flowering, and fruit set.

Epsom salts is available in drug and grocery stores.

Epsom salts works best on soils that are...

• Slightly deficient in magnesium
• Alkaline (show high pH) as in western areas
• Old, "weathered," and acidic (with low pH) soils of the Southeast and Pacific Northwest
• High in calcium and potassium (western soils)

Charlie Nardozzi is a senior horticulturist at National Gardening.

Photography by John Goodman

Malaysian No.1 Landscape Magazine Introduces Epsom Salt

There are not many Malaysian have heard of Epsom Salt unlike in the overseas whereby epsom salts are so commonly used and available and almost every home has one in their yard or bathroom. 

Why is epsom salt not popular in Malaysia? Actually, epsom salt has been used by most of the farmers or gardeners in Malaysia since many years ago but not realizing that some of the fertilizers they used were actually epsom salt or magnesium sulphate. The fertilizer manufacturer just rename the epsom salt so that the product can be sold at a higher price. Don't blame the manufacturer or trader, this is just one of the trade secrets that have been practicing for years in the fertilizer industry.

I would like to thank Laman Impiana magazine for reviewing the secrets of epsom salt in their 48th edition. In this chapter, Mr Rinson Lim openly review his secret of gardening. Epsom salt is one of his successful gardening secrets. Don't miss this chapter.

Go get a copy of this Laman Impiana Edisi 48 to find out the truth of epsom salt for gardening.

The following are the photos of the plants after Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulphate): -

If you find your plants are unhealthy, try putting some epsom salt on top of the soil and spray on with some water. You will see the result in a few days time. It's the most economical and effective way to save your plant. Give it a try.

Epsom Salt Brands

How many brands can you find in Malaysia?

Try Epsom salt to help roses, tomatoes and other plants grow

Some tried and true home remedies have worked for centuries.

In 1618, a farmer living in Epsom, England, noticed his cows would not drink water from one of his wells. He tasted the water and found it bitter. He also noticed that if he used the water to wash scratches on his skin, the scratches healed more quickly. He named the water Epsom salt after the town he lived in. For centuries, Epsom salt has been used to treat a broad range of minor human and animal ailments.

In spite of the name, Epsom salt has nothing to do with salt. Chemically, Epsom salt is hydrated magnesium sulfate. In the National Garden Club Schools, you learn that magnesium and sulfur are both necessary for healthy plant growth. Magnesium is critical for seed germination and for the production of chlorophyll and fruits, and sulfur is a key element in plant growth and is critical to production of vitamins, amino acids and enzymes.

Magnesium also helps strengthen cell walls and improves the plants' uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus , and sulfur - the compound that gives vegetables such as broccoli and onions their flavors - assists in chlorophyll production and makes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium found in the soil more effective.

Studies across the nation indicate that magnesium and sulfur - the two major components of Epsom salt - may provide health benefits for your rose garden.

The American Rose Society studies, including those with Dow, found that "In general, regular use of Epsom salt produced higher growth rates, stronger stems, improved color and foliage. "

Kathleen White, owner of one of the gardens featured on the recent Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society Garden Tour, said she uses Epsom salt on her beautiful roses.

Local rosarians Milt Gibbs, Joy Bednorz, Frank Strickland, Nancy Taylor and Gary Wagner all agree, and they have been recommending this environmentally safe supplement for years.

Linda Evans, noted organic vegetable gardener in Redlands, said, "I always incorporate Epsom salt when planting tomatoes and peppers. It really helps promote stronger plants and the vegetables grow larger. "

How do gardeners apply Epsom salt in their garden?

For roses:

They sprinkle about 1/2 cup of Epsom salt into the soil near the base of each rose bush in the spring and the fall. For foliar feeding they mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt into 1 gallon of water and apply to a rate of about one gallon per foot of rose height every two weeks. This could help prevent garden pests, and roses could grow bushier and produce more abundant, bright blooms.

For tomatoes:

Linda Evans incorporates Epsom salt into the soil as she plants each plant, and she supplements around the plant base during the growth period. This will help to boost tomato growth and production.

For peppers:

Linda Evans mixes 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with 1 gallon of water and sprays it directly to the leaves of plants

General soil preparation:

You can work in 1 cup of Epsom salt per 100 square feet of garden area before planting.

Container gardens and houseplants:

Epsom salt is high solubility and foliar application is a fast way to get the nutrients to plant. You can mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with a gallon of water and apply to container gardens (not cactus or succulents) and houseplants once a month to boost growth and encourage healthy foliage and blooming.

Epsom salt should be used only as a growth enhancer along with your regular fertilizer, as it does not contain the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium necessary for plant growth. It does not build up in the soil and does not cause harm to plants if overused.

Plants frequently will not show the effects of magnesium deficiency until it is severe. Magnesium deficiencies vary. Some common symptoms include yellowing of the leaves between the veins, leaf curling, stunted growth and lack of sweetness in fruit. Don't rely on Epsom salts to correct large soil magnesium deficiencies, it is considered only a soil supplement to boost plant growth, flowering and fruiting.

Epsom salt can be found in drug stores, feed stores and a few nurseries.

Want more beautiful roses, bumper crops of tomatoes and peppers or even greener lawns? Perhaps Epsom salt might be worth a try.

For information, call 909-793-1016 or 909-798-9384 or emailgardenclub@rhis.org

Joyce Dean is a member of the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society.

Source: http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com

Home and Garden Uses for Epsom Salt - by Reader's Digest

This everyday item is more useful than you thought! Here are 8 ways to put Epsom salt to use.

Get rid of raccoons
Are the masked night marauders poking around your trash can, creating a mess and raising a din? A few tablespoons of Epsom salt spread around your garbage cans will deter the raccoons, who don’t like the taste of the stuff. Don’t forget to reapply after it rains.

Deter slugs
Are you tired of visiting your yard at night only to find the place crawling with slimy slugs? Sprinkle Epsom salt where they glide and say good-bye to the slugs.

Fertilize tomatoes and other plants
Want those Big Boys to be big? Add Epsom salt as a foolproof fertilizer. Every week, for every foot of height of your tomato plant, add one tablespoon. Your tomatoes will be the envy of the neighbor-hood. Epsom salt is also a good fertilizer for houseplants, roses and other flowers, and trees.

Make your grass greener
How green is your valley? Not green enough, you say? Epsom salt, which adds needed magnesium and iron to your soil, may be the answer. Add 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of water. Spread on your lawn and then water it with plain water to make sure it soaks into the grass.

Clean bathroom tiles
Is the tile in your bathroom getting that grungy look? Time to bring in the Epsom salt. Mix it in equal parts with liquid dish detergent, then dab it onto the offending area and start scrubbing. The Epsom salt works with the detergent to scrub and dissolve the grime.

Regenerate a car battery
Is your car battery starting to sound as if it won’t turn over? Worried that you’ll be stuck the next time you try to start your car? Give your battery a little more life with this potion. Dissolve about an ounce of Epsom salt in warm water and add it to each battery cell.

Get rid of blackheads
Here’s a surefire way to dislodge blackheads: Mix 1 teaspoon Epsom salt and 3 drops iodine in 1/2 cup boiling water. When the mixture cools enough to stick your finger in it, apply it to the blackhead with a cotton ball. Repeat this three or four times, reheating the solution if necessary. Gently remove the blackhead and then dab the area with an alcohol-based astringent.

Frost your windows for Christmas
If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, but the weather won’t cooperate, at least you can make your windows look frosty. Mix Epsom salt with stale beer until the salt stops dissolving. Apply the mixture to your windows with a sponge — for a realistic look, sweep the sponge in an arc at the bottom corners. When the mixture dries, the windows will look frosted.

Using Epsom salt for Feet

It’s common knowledge that feet are one of the most problematic parts of body that needs intensive care after physical activities. That’s why health of our feet is one of our primary health care concerns since our day-to-day activities greatly depend on the state of out feet. In fact, there are many foot problems one can experience. Among them there are plantar fasciitis, bunion, hammer toes, achilles tendonitis etc. Though, some minor foot problems can be relieved thanks to the unique properties of Epsom salt.

Epsom salt has a centuries-old history, its wonder have been familiar to medicine as well. The properties of Epsom salt are greatly beneficial for our bodies, and that is not typical for other salts. Among the major purposes Epson salt is used for there are: relieving stress, calming nerves, alleviating pain as well as drawing toxins out of the organism.

Feet work most intensively during the day. They act as a support for our bodies and quite frequently they may have dry skin and experience muscle fatigue. Epsom salt is a good remedy for your tired feet suffering form ache. You just have to put a half of a cup of Epsom salt in a container that has a sufficient amount of water to cover your feet from the ankles down. Keep your feet in this substance for about an hour. Thus, muscle pain will be relieved and your skin will get soft. Moreover, Epsom salt helps to remove any foot smells. Doctors advise that those suffering from pains caused by arthritis, diabetes along with athletics injuries should use Epsom salt as treatment.

On top of that, Epsom salt also possesses anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Therefore, one can treat different fungal infections by using Epsom salts. It is very advisable for diabetes sufferers who have impaired immunity against infections to cleanse their feet with Epsom salt. Combining a couple of tablespoons of Epsom salt together with baby oil is enough to prepare a paste. That paste is aimed at getting rid of bacteria and dead skin cells. Using Epsom salts together with appropriate oil is an effective way for having feet bath treatment.

Epsom salt minerals are thought to have no negative effects on our condition, though, when used excessively, Epsom salt minerals can cause dried and cracked skin on your feet. You shouldn’t use such Epson foot baths oftener than two or three times per week, each bath lasting for no longer than thirty to sixty minutes.

Source: http://www.epsomsaltsbath.com/

5 Luxurious Ways to Use Epsom Salts For Beauty

       

According to the Epsom Salt Council (yes, it exists!), there are many beauty benefits to Epsom salts, aka magnesium sulfate, as it's known in the world of science. So before you dismiss that unassuming milk-carton-like box at the drugstore, here are five reasons you might want to give these soothing salts a whirl.

1. As a hair volumizer: Much like sea salt sprays give hair body, Epsom salts help boost texture, too. Who knew?
2. As a stress reducer: These salts aid in replenishing magnesium in the body, which can make energy levels increase. Which, in turn, can make you look better. A lift in magnesium also relieves stress, increasing serotonin levels and lowering blood pressure. It's a win all around.
3. As a rejuvenating body scrub: Not only do the salts deep clean, but massaging handfuls of the crystals on premoistened skin can result in an exfoliating experience.
4. As an mini facial experience: To help dry out oily skin and invigorate all other skin types, mix 1/2 teaspoon of Epsom salts with your face cleanser, and then massage for a mini facial.
5. As a skin-softening mask: For normal to dry skin, whip up a three-ingredient facial mask: blend 1/4 cup grated carrot, 1/2 teaspoon Epsom salts, and 1 1/2 teaspoons mayonnaise. Spread over predampened skin, wait 10 minutes, and remove.

Source: http://www.bellasugar.com/

Benefits of an Epsom salt bath

Magnesium (found in Epsom salt) helps draw inflammation out of the muscles

Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help ease migraine headaches.

Helps muscles and nerves function properly

Combat muscle fatigue

Relieve pain and muscle cramps

Improved concentration and sleep

Increased energy, elimination of toxins and reduction of inflammation

Magnesium and serotonin deficiencies have been found to exacerbate PMS symptoms

Starting Epsom salt baths as early as two weeks before your period will lead to less pain and significantly fewer negative mood changes frequently associated with menses

*Note: Consult with your medical provider before using Epsom salts if you are pregnant or have any medical condition.
How to make an Epsom salt bath


Making an Epsom salt bath is simple:

First things first;

1) break out your favorite rubber ducky.

2) Set a relaxing, spa mood with some scented candles.

3) Fill bathtub with hot or warm water.

4) Add between two and four cups of Epsom salt to the water.

I poured the whole box containing 375g of Epsom salts into the tub.

5) Mix the water with your hands and allow the Epsom salt to dissolve.

6) Add five to ten drops of your favorite essential oil just before you step in the tub to maximize stress reduction.

My favorites are either lavender, rose or chamomile essential oils.

7) Soak in the bath for about 15 minute but no longer to avoid reabsorbing the toxins eliminated by the Epsom salt.

8) Shower immediately after the bath to rinse the Epsom salts from your skin, which can dry your skin.

(Caution: Epsom salt, due to its high magnesium content, is a laxative. Avoid ingestion!)

9) Dry off with a towel and keep your skin hydrated with your favorite body moisturizer.

10) Water aids in muscle recovery so make sure you drink enough water throughout the day!

Source: http://www.withlovefay.com/

Epsom Salt Baths Improve Health

Epsom salt baths have become my latest indulgence. When I want a quiet, relaxing moment, I pour an Epsom salt bath, lock the bathroom door so my kids don’t barge in, turn down the lights, start my MP3 player on my favorite music, and … soak.

Yet Epsom salt baths don’t just calm noisy souls, they improve health as well!

That’s because Epsom salt isn’t salt at all, but really magnesium-sulfate. It’s merely called “Epsom” because magnesium-sulfate was discovered in Epsom, England. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition says that at least 68% of us are magnesium deficient (most likely more), leading to a host of health problems. Thankfully, Epsom salt baths can be one more tool to help us combat that deficiency and improve our health.

Why are we magnesium deficient?

Depleted soil.

Industrial agriculture depletes soil of nutrients. Rather than fertilizing with rich, vibrant compost, we treat the soil with synthetic fertilizers. In the The Fatal Harvest Reader: The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture, Jason McKenney writes about the effect synthetic fertilizers have on the soil:

We now know that massive use of synthetic fertilizers to create artificial fertility has had a cascade of adverse effects on natural soil fertility and the entire soil system. Fertilizer application begins the destruction of soil biodiversity by diminishing the role of nitrogen fixing bacteria and amplifying the role of everything that feeds on nitrogen. These feeders then speed up the decomposition of organic matter and humus. As organic matter decreases, the physical structure of soil changes. With less pore space and less of their sponge-like qualities, soils are less efficient at storing water and air. More irrigation is needed. Water leeches through soils, draining away nutrients that no longer have an effective susbstrate on which to cling. With less available oxygen, the growth of soil microbiology slows, and the intricate ecosystem of biological exchanges breaks down.

Magnesium is among the myriad of minerals lost to industrial agriculture practices. If the nutrients aren’t in the soil, they aren’t in our food.

Municipal water supplies.

In 2007, Life Extension Magazine ran a report on magnesium deficiency. In it, they pegged city water supplies as one of the main culprits:

Our human ancestors evolved in a world in which healthy drinking water came directly from streams, rivers, and lakes, rich in mineral content. The human body became reliant on obtaining a considerable proportion of its daily mineral needs from natural water sources.
Fast-forward to the twenty-first century. We obtain drinking water from a spigot or a plastic bottle. Pesticides and other chemicals seeping into the water supply have made everyone suspicious of water quality. As a result, municipal water-purification facilities have intensified their efforts to remove contaminants like lead, pesticide residues, and nitrates from drinking water. Unfortunately, these modern water-treatment methods also deplete drinking water of desirable minerals like calcium and magnesium.
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Too much calcium.

We need calcium to absorb magnesium. Yet’ it’s a delicate balance because the two minerals compete for resources within our body. If you eat too much calcium, you actually hinder your absorption of magnesium.

Studies indicate that taking a calcium supplement without enough magnesium can increase the shortage of both nutrients. Researchers have found that many Americans have five times as much calcium as magnesium in their bodies, although the proper ratio for optimum absorption of both minerals is two to one.
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For more on magnesium deficiency, read Magnesium Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments.

How do Epsom salt baths improve health?

According to the Epsom Salt Industry Council, correcting magnesium deficiency leads to:

• Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

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Furthermore, the sulfate in Epsom salts:

• Improves absorption of nutrients by starting the cascade of digestive enzymes released from the pancreas.
• Helps form the mucin proteins which line the gut walls. Mucin stops the intestine’s content from ‘sticking’ and blocks the transport of toxins from the gut to the bloodstream. Patients who have a leaky gut (like those with IBS) have low blood plasma sulfate levels.
• Helps with the formation of brain tissue. Pregnant ladies, pay attention! When en utero, neurons are created on chains of sulfated carbohydrate. Reduces sulfation may lead to fault neural connections and dysfunction later in life!
• Plays a key role in detoxifying drugs and environmental contaminants from your body.

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To top it all off, both magnesium and sulfate are more easily absorbed transdermally through the skin than they are internally!

How to take an Epsom Salt bath.

If you want truly therapeutic levels of magnesium, this study found consistent, significant improvement in magnesium levels after participants soaked for at least 15 minutes in a 1% solution of Epsom salts. For a typical bath tub, that’d be about a pound of Epsom salt per bath! Participants complained that the 1% solution was too “soapy” feeling.

Since my goal is comfort as well as therapy, I opt for less Epsom salts and a longer soak.

To make an Epsom salt bath:

Dissolve 2 cups of Epsom salts in a bathtub full of warm or hot water. Soak for at least 20 minutes before you attend to any personal hygiene like washing your hair or shaving.

Take this soothing Epsom salt bath about 3 times per week.

To make an Epsom salt foot soak:

When I was younger, I never understood why all the mothers in my life soaked their feet in an Epsom salt foot bath.

What made the Epsom salts any better than plain hot water?

Turns out, an Epsom salt foot bath is great for reducing foot aches and pains because of its documented anti-inflammatory properties.

To make a foot soak, dissolve 1/2 cup of Epsom salt in a large bowl or small tub of warm or hot water. If you want a relaxing fragrance for your foot bath, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the water. Soak your sore feet for at least 15 minutes and watch your aches melt away!

Source: http://www.foodrenegade.com/

Calm Your Inner Soul and Relax with an Epsom Salt Detox Bath

Epsom salt detox baths are a great way to detoxify your body, de-stress, and boost your immune system.

I can not get enough of Epsom salt detox baths! I love how rejuvenated and energized I feel from them. Especially if you’re feeling sluggish or overstressed, Epsom salt detox baths will rid your body of the toxins and ease any of these symptoms.

Since toxins and chemicals are all around us, everyone can benefit from a detox bath. Even though there are many things we can do to avoid toxins, some are unavoidable in our environment. A detox bath is a great way to rid yourself of any harmful substances.

What is Epsom salt?

Epsom salt is rich in both magnesium and sulfate. Magnesium and sulfate can be easily absorbed through the skin. Studies have shown the effectiveness of using Epsom salt detox baths to increase the levels of both of these. In an Epsom salt detox bath, the magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin which aids in detoxification.

How an Epsom Salt Detox Bath Works

An Epsom salt detox bath is an excellent external way to detox and get out any harmful and unnatural substances. Our skin is our largest organ and our primary detox organ, which is why a detox bath is so beneficial.

A detox bath stimulates your lymph system and encourages increased oxygen and blood flow to your body.  The detox bath helps strengthen the immune system and soothe your body. The sulfates  from Epsom salts are very beneficial as they are essential for the formation of proteins lining the digestive tract. Sulfates also stimulate the pancreas to form digestive enzymes necessary to detoxify the body. This detox bath will help neutralize toxins and aid in protecting the body from heavy metals.

Soaking in Epsom salts also boosts the body’s magnesium levels as it is easily absorbed.

How to Take an Epsom Salt Detox Bath

Epsom salt detox bath recipe

2 cups of Epsom salt
5-10 drops of detox essential oil

For the Epsom salt detox bath it is best to use comfortably warm water.  Using too hot water will dry out your skin and strip away protective oils. The common amount to use is 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard size bathtub. If your bathtub is larger or smaller, you may want to adjust the amount.

It is most beneficial to soak in the detox bath for about 40 minutes. This allows for enough time for your body to remove the toxins and to absorb minerals in the water.

Adding detox essential oils such as lavender, rose, sandalwood, or tea tree oil will aid in being therapeutic and assist in the detoxification.

How often Can You Use an Epsom Salt Detox Bath?

If this is your first time using an Epsom salt detox bath you may want to start out with using it twice a week and as your body adjusts you can increase the frequency.

After the Epsom Salt Detox Bath

To aid in detoxification, after the bath you many want to rub down your body with a boars body brush or loofah. This brushing stimulates the lymphatic system which will also help release toxins.

Source: http://www.healthextremist.com