Ancestral Skills or Regaining the Knowledge that our not so distant relatives used everyday has become a fascinating journey for me.

I’ve always been interested in herbal remedies. But now I’ve rediscovered green cleaning products (like vinegar and baking soda) that do just as good a job (sometimes better) as the harsh chemical cleaners out there on the market. And I’ve started using raw honey and coconut oil for skin/hair care and home remedies. I’ve been so impressed I’ve sought out more and more of what was once common knowledge, about being self-reliant using everyday common products found in our homes.

Here’s another product I remember as a household staple when I was growing up. Epsom Salt.

It’s not really a salt, but a chemical compound of magnesium, sulfate and oxygen. Magnesium regulates the activity of over 325 enzymes, reduces inflammation, supports muscle and nerve function and helps to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates assist in improving the absorption of nutrients, flushes toxins and can help ease migraine headaches. Studies have shown that both magnesium and sulfate are readily absorbed through the skin, making Epsom Salt a natural remedy for numerous ailments. Even better, it’s inexpensive to purchase and easy to store. You can buy it in small cartons, like the one pictured, or in large quantity bags. You can even find it prepackaged with herbs and other ingredients mixed in, for specific uses such as a soaking bath. Do you have it in your home? If not, you should consider it!

Just this last week I bent over incorrectly and tweaked my back. My monthly massage was a week away. I managed to stretch away the worst of the pain so I could finish my day. But I was still in discomfort and knew all too well it could flair up any time. So that evening I filled the bathtub with hot water and added a mixture of Epsom Salt, Lavender and Baking Soda and soaked in it before going to bed. I woke up the next morning feeling great!

Epsom Salt in a bath has always helped me get rid of sore muscles, but there are other ways you can use this product. So here is a list of ideas for you to try. *Note: it’s recommended that you speak with your doctor and do research before using Epsom Salt to make sure it doesn’t react negatively with your body and/or medications.

Relaxation:

• Spa Bath – This is my favorite use. You can create a soothing bath using 2 cups of Epsom Salt added to your bath water. Soak for 15-30 minutes. Or treat yourself to a real spa experience and try the recipe from my blog Epsom Salts.
• Foot and Hand Soak – Add ¼ – ½ cup Epsom Salt to a basin or a Pedicure Spa Bath and soak for 10-15 minutes. A great way to relax and get rid of achy feet!

Health:

• Bug Bites – using some Epsom Salt and water you can create a little bit of paste and pat it on the affected area.
• Foot Odor – using the Foot Soak above not only relaxes you, it can help with a foot odor problem.
• Splinter Removal – to reduce inflammation and soften the tissue around the splinter, use ¼ cup Epsom Salt in warm water and soak for 10 minutes, or more.

Outside:

• Garden Pests – Keep insects and slugs at bay by sprinkling some salt around problem areas. It will also nourish your plants at the same time!
• For your Lawn– add a couple of tablespoons to a gallon of water and sprinkle on your lawn to keep grass green.

 Inside:

• Clean Washing Machine – sprinkle ¼ cup of Epsom Salt in the bottom of the machine and run full cycle. See manual before doing this to avoid possible warranty termination.
• Clean Bathroom Tiles – use an equal mixture of Epsom Salt and liquid dish washing detergent to clean tiles.

What Ways Do You Use Epsom Salt?