Epsom Salts
History
In 1618 a farmer at Epsom in England found his cows were unhappy drinking the water due to its bitter taste. He noticed that the water healed scratches and rashes. It didn't take long before local lore and word of mouth spread the word. It was originally prepared from mineral water in Epsom, England. Today it is obtained mostly from mining operations.
Recent studies have shown that Epsom Salt can be nebulised for severe asthma. It is used intravenously for the treatment of severe asthma and as part of the treatment for pre-eclampsia for pregnant women, i.e. pregnancy induced hypertension.
Soaking and Topical Use
Epsom Salts are made up mostly of magnesium and sulphates. In our bodies magnesium performs many functions in our systems.
As a result magnesium is considered to:
- Ease stress, improve sleep and concentration
- Support muscle and nerve function
- Regulate the body as a component of over 300 enzymes which control functions in the body
- Help prevent artery hardening and blood clots
- Make insulin more effective
- Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps
- Improve oxygen use
- Improved energy levels
Sulphates are considered to:
- Flush toxins and contaminants from the body
- Improve absorption of nutrients
- Help form joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins
- Help prevent or ease migraine headaches
Other actions:
- Softens and exfoliates the skin
- Improved sense of well-being
Studies show that these substances are readily absorbed through the skin. Thus bypassing digestive and absorption issues.
Dosage:
Compress
Use 40g of Epsom Salt litre of warm water for sore muscles, insect and bug bites and splinter removal.
Soaking
- Add 300g of Epsom Salt to warm water in a standard-sized bath.
- Add 600g of Epsom Salt for an oversized garden tub.
- Bath soaks are popular and effective for easing muscle pain and fading bruises. Most people use three times per week, soaking for at least quarter of an hour.
Foot bath
Add a 140g of Epsom Salt to a bowl of warm water as a popular soak for tired and aching feet.
Internal Use
Warning: Natural does not automatically mean safe. All internal use should be done with knowledge or professional guidance. Please consult the necessary medical or specific expert or practitioner to ensure not only safe use, but also the effective use of natural products.
Although Epsom Salt has been used for centuries as a cleansing agent for the gut, due to all the implications of using any laxative we would strongly recommend consulting a holistic or medical practitioner before use.
There are numerous recipes for gall bladder or some call it a liver flush. A number of them use Epsom Salt. Once again we strongly recommend consulting a holistic or medical practitioner before use.
In the Garden
Experienced gardeners use Epsom Salt as a tonic for plants. It supplies readily available Magnesium and Sulphur which are easily leached from the soils by rain. This tonic is particularly useful when the lack of nutrients in the soil is causing yellowing of the leaves. Not only does Epsom Salt provide good nutrition, but it also improves plants utilisation of N(nitrogen) P (phosphorous) and K (potassium) making it the perfect partner for your current fertilising plan.
Supplementing with Epsom Salt supports
- germination
- foliage and flower development
- chlorophyll production
- and improved absorption and use of phosphorous and nitrogen.
The major pluses of using Epsom Salt:
- it’s natural
- it does not build up in the soil and cause any problems
- it is safe around pets and children
- it is quick acting
- clean and odour free
- over application does not cause damage or burning of plants
- a product used by commercial growers and professional turf management for good results and the bonus is it is available to the public.
Dosage:
- House plants - monthly
- 10g for a small plant (20cm - 30cm)
- 15g for a medium plant (30cm - 1m)
- 30g for a large plant (larger than 1m)
- Add the above dose to about 500ml of water, dissolve and the pour around the base of the plant.
Brand new garden - once
Sprinkle 130g per 10m2 and dig into the soil
Tomatoes - alternate weeks
20g per 30cm of plant height per plant
Roses - alternate weeks
20g per 30cm of plant height per plant. Also dig in 70g into the soil at the base of the plant to encourage flowering canes and healthy new basal growth. Soak plants before planting in 20g of Epsom Salt per litre of water to help roots cope with the transplanting. Add 20g of Epsom Salt to each hole when planting the plant. They can be sprayed weekly with an Epsom salt solution to discourage pests.
Shrubs - every 2-4 weeks
20g per 1m2, sprinkle over root zones
Lawns - monthly during growing season
Apply 1.5kg per 130m2 using a spreader or dilute in water and spray on.
Trees - Spring, Summer and Autumn
Apply 40g per 1m2. Apply over the root zones.
NOTE - do not apply to Sage. It is a plant that does not like Epsom Salt.
For Horses
It is well known for its internal use as a laxative. It increases water in the intestine and is an irritant thereby promoting bowel movement. Epsom Salt generally produces bowel movement in a 1/2 to 6 hours. It has been used for centuries to cleanse the gut especially on days of rest when mixed with a bran mash. Useful whenever the hind gut needs clearing fast, for example with an acute case of laminitis when the toxins being given off from overloaded, stagnant guts which can give rise to the onset of this painful condition.
Another ancient use has been to optimize a white coat.
