The Many Uses of Epsom Salt

Chances are, you’ve heard of Epsom Salt! Typically folks know about it because it’s a staple in sports medicine, float centers and spas. Farmers know that Epsom salt has a myriad of uses out in the field as well as at home. 

Check out a few more ways you can use Epsom Salt: 

FARM & HOMESTEAD

• Fertilize your houseplants - Adding a pinch of Epsom a week to your plants will give them a bit of magnesium and sulfur. This helps keep plants in good health as well as allow them to better utilize the other primary nutrients they need. 
• Readily available nutrients - You can apply Epsom salt through your fertigation system to give plants a mid-season dose of vital micronutrients (sulfur and magnesium). 
• Chlorophyll Booster - Magnesium sulfate is known to help with increasing the germination rate of seeds. It can also encourage more fruit and flower production as well help plants produce more foliage. 
• Insect Control - A mixture of Epsom salt and water (1 cup Epsom/5 gal water) can be used as an insect repellant for beetles and a few other insects.
• Slug/Snail Control - Epsom salt crystals are abrasive to slugs and snails. Making a narrow band of Epsom salt around your plants will help keep slugs at bay.
• Livestock Wound Care - Epsom salt can be combined with water to make a paste that can be applied topically and wrapped with a cotton cloth to help with livestock sprains and abscesses. It may also be used to draw out infections in wounds or hoof injuries.
• Livestock Indigestion - Epsom salt can be dissolved in water to create a solution that can provide electrolytes and prevent constipation in calves. This solution can also be use to help prevent or cure grass tetany in dairy cows. 

HEALTH & HOUSEHOLD

• Epsom Salt Soak - This tried and true remedy has been known to help with a multitude of issues that ail us. Using warm water, dissolve Epsom salt and take a soak for issues like athlete's foot, gout, toenail fungus (up to three times a day) and splinters. An Epsom bath is also a relaxing solution for muscle soreness, pain and the swelling from sprains and bruises.
• Exfoliation - In the shower or bath, mix a handful of Epsom salt with a tablespoon of bath oil (or olive oil) and rub to exfoliate and soften your skin. Rinse thoroughly. 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 the skin and rinse with cold water. You can also make a mix of Epsom salt with baby oil to keep by the sink for an effective hand wash.
• Cleaning around the House - Mix equal parts Epsom salt and liquid dish detergent and use it as a scrub on bathroom tile. You can also use Epsom salt to clean detergent build-up in washing machines. Fill the machine tub with hot water, add Epsom salt and run an agitate/soak/agitate cycle to dissolve detergent build-up (please consult your machine's instruction manual for specific instructions).

We love hearing what our customers do with our materials! What uses have you found for Epsom salt at home or around the farm? Did we miss any uses that you’ve found? Comment below and let us know!