How is epsom salt different from regular salt?

When you think of salt, you may think of a young girl on a blue label shielding her self with an umbrella from a downpour. Increasingly, we have access to a wider variety of salt. Pink salt. Sea Salt. Smoked salt. Kosher salt. Black salt. Fleur de sel. But what is epsom salt? Traditional table salt is known as sodium chloride and is made up of the elements sodium and chlorine. Epsom salt is made up of the chemical compounds magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen and is derived from a naturally occurring magnesium sulfate mineral called epsomite.

Epsom salt offers a range of benefits. Midwives often suggest epsom salt baths to their clients to help ease muscle pain, soothe headaches, for relaxation, and to speed healing postpartum.

To take an epsom salt bath in a standard sized tub, prepare very warm—but not hot water—comfortable to the touch. Add 1-2 c. epsom salt. Light a candle or turn on your diffuser and soak for 15-20 minutes.

Note: Epsom salts are generally safe but be sure to look over the ingredients to avoid extra perfumes or other ingredients you may have a reaction to and avoid using epsom salt if you have open wounds, an infection or a burn.