Epsom salt gets its namesake from a saline spring in Surrey England. It is not a salt but a naturally occurring mineral compound, made up of magnesium and sulfate. When most of us think of Epsom salt, we think of relaxing baths that soothe our stress away. Relaxing in a bath is just one way to enjoy the benefits of this mineral. Epsom salt is so much more than that.

Magnesium deficiency is a problem that many of us are unaware of. Using Epsom salt is the easiest way to increase your magnesium. You absorb 10% with the salt. If Magnesium is a real problem then Magnesium flakes work better with the absorption rate of 12%. Just put about two cups in your bath and enjoy. (Use caution and read package about Diabetes and Epsom salt) Magnesium helps your muscles relax, detoxes your body, all while providing a restful sleep. Other ways to enjoy this beneficial mineral include the following uses:

• A face wash with the salt will exfoliate and give your skin a magnesium lift. Mix a pinch with your cleanser or make a paste with the salt and gently exfoliate. To make a wonderful moisturizing cleanser, combine equal parts coconut oil, olive or jojoba oil.

• Fertilizer your plants with Epsom salt to help give them a boost. Just dissolve 2 tablespoons in 1 gallon of water and water with this mixture once monthly.

If you would like tastier tomatoes, (who wouldn’t) dissolve 2 Tablespoons of Epsom Salt per 1 gallon of water. Use on tomatoes every two weeks. Tomatoes require a lot of magnesium to provide us their wonderful goodness. They need it twice as often as other plants.

• Does your foliage look yellow and droopy? Green it up with Epsom salt! The yellowing is caused by lack of magnesium. Mix in with your water about once a month. Use 1 Tablespoon for every 12 inches of plant height. Another Epsom salt use is for germinating seeds. It helps to strengthen the cell walls and provides a healthier start for the seedling. For small applications, mix 1-2 tablespoons into soil at bottom of each hole, then drop the seeds in. For a tilled area, use 1 cup Epsom salt to 100 square feet.

As you can see Epsom salt has many beneficial uses. It is good for the environment, provides magnesium to plants, as well as providing us with a much needed dose of  natural easily absorbed magnesium. This being said, go ahead, take a bath, relax and enjoy!