Epsom salt, named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Long known as a natural remedy for a number of ailments, Epsom salt has numerous health benefits as well as many beauty, household, and gardening-related uses.

Epsom Salt Uses: Health

• Athlete's foot: Soak feet in an Epsom salt bath to help relieve the symptoms of athlete's foot.
• Remove splinters: Soak the affected skin area in an Epsom salt bath to draw out the splinter.
• Treat toenail fungus: Soak your affected toes in hot water mixed with a handful of Epsom salt three times a day.
• Soothe sprains and bruises: Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak to reduce muscle soreness, pain and the swelling of sprains and bruises.
• Ease discomfort of gout: Ease the discomfort of gout and reduce inflammation by adding 2-3 teaspoons of Epsom salts into a basin and immersing the affected foot/joint. The water should be as hot as it is comfortable. Soak for about 30 minutes.
• Epsom Salt Uses: Beauty
  Exfoliate dead skin: In the shower or bath, mix a handful of Epsom salt with a tablespoon of bath or olive oil and rub all over your wet skin to exfoliate and soften. Rinse thoroughly.
• Exfoliating face cleanser: To clean your face and exfoliate skin at the same time, mix a half-teaspoon of Epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Gently massage into skin and rinse with cold water.
• Dislodge blackheads: Add a teaspoon of Epsom salt and 3 drops of iodine into a half cup of boiling water. Apply this mixture to the blackheads with a cotton ball.
• Remove foot odour r: Mix a half cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes to remove bad odour, soothe achy feet, and soften rough skin.
• Remove hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup of Epsom salt. Cover the mixture and let it set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and leave it on for 20 minutes before shampooing as normal.
• Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts deep conditioner and Epsom salt and warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.