Epsom Salt Water Revival

Give thanks and praise for the stress relieving power of Epsom Salt.

Prepared to be amazed. For on the lowest shelf of your local supermarket or drugstore hides a cheap, inconspicuous cure-all that shakes off the blues with a surge of natural health. According to the Epsom Salt Industry Council, here's how it breaks down: Epsom Salt, which is actually magnesium sulfate crystals, contains loads of magnesium, a naturally occurring mineral that performs more functions in the body than almost any other. Research estimates that the typical American woman gets only 70% of her recommended levels of magnesium. This superhero mineral not only helps to regulate some 325 enzymes in the body but also plays a vital role in muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production and toxin elimination. Sulfates, the other powerhouse component of Epsom Salt, are vital in forming brain tissue and joint proteins, stimulating the pancreas to kick out digestive enzymes and releasing the body's build-up of medicines and environmental contaminants. Shew, who knew? The good news is that magnesium and sulfates are easily absorbed through the skin. And on top of all that, because Epsom Salt is not really salt at all, it doesn't parch the skin of moisture and in fact, has been used for centuries to soften skin. So soaking in a tub full of Epsom Salted water really can help to ease stress, lower blood pressure, relieve muscle aches, boost your energy and paste a slaphappy smile on your face. Can I get a Hallelujah? For more praise and ways to use Epsom Salt visit www.epsomsaltcouncil.org. Here's the council's recommendation for the perfect soak.

Here's what you do:

Pour the Epsom Salt under running warm water in the bathtub. Lay back and soak for at least 12 minutes, up to three times per week. Kick it up with 3 to 5 drops off an essential oil like lavender for relaxation, citrus for energy or eucalyptus for refreshment. You can pre-make homemade bath crystals by mixing two cups of Epsom Salt with 3 to 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. Dress it up with a few drops of food coloring or 1/2 teaspoon of glycerin and store in an air-tight container.

You'll need:

2 cups Epsom Salt

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Get DIY Ingredients and Supplies:

Do-It-Yourself Tips:

Try out your concoctions on an inconspicuous place like your forearm before you go slathering it all your body and have fun!
Use recipes with perishable food items such as eggs and veggies immediately or store in an airtight container up to one week in the frig.
Vodka, witch hazel, vinegar and lemon juice are natural preservatives and help extend the life of a DIY mixture.
Sugar and salt scrubs generally keep for a couple months as long as the container has a tight seal.
Store aromatherapy massage oils in a dark, well-sealed glass container for up to 6 months.
For gifts, consider separating the dry ingredients from the liquid and giving the recipient directions on how to mix them in one-use increments.