If you can’t tolerate Epsom salt or can’t find it or have it in hand where you are and are looking for a good Epsom salt substitute out there. Search no more! Because in this article, we will make sure to meet your needs and give you the various Epsom salt substitutes and their benefits too.
What is Epsom Salt?
First off, what is Epsom salt? Epsom salt is a naturally occurring substance that contains magnesium, oxygen and sulfur. It is different from table salt, which is a mineral compound of sodium and chloride and is a mineral compound that contains magnesium and sulphate heptahydrate (MgSO4.7H2O). Epsom salt is named after the town of Epsom in Surrey, where it was first discovered in a spring in the 17th century.
It is often used by people for bath soaks, foot soaks, hair care, exfoliating scrubs, health remedies and so on, because of the belief that the magnesium and sulphate in the salt can be absorbed through the skin, which can help in relieving stress, pain and inflammation.
- Bath soaks: Adding Epsom salt to warm bath water creates a rejuvenating and relaxing bath experience. It helps to relieve muscle cramps and soreness, reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
- Foot soaks: putting your foot in Epsom salt water can help reduce inflammation, soften skin and improve foot pain.
- Exfoliating scrubs: when you mix Epsom salt with creams or oils, it creates a natural exfoliant, that helps remove dead skin cells and promotes healthy and smooth skin.
- Gardening: Epsom salt can be used as a pest control agent and a natural fertilizer in gardening.
- Hair care: Epsom salt can be used to add texture and body to hair and can also serve as a good and natural hair volumizer.
The benefits of Epsom salt are a result of its high magnesium content, which plays a vital role in many bodily functions, which include:
- Nerve function and transmission
- Muscle function and relaxation
- Calcium absorption and bone health
- Heart rhythm and blood pressure regulation
- Metabolism and Energy production.
Having known all this about Epsom salt and the benefits it has to offer to our body to keep us healthy and our skin healthy but you still want to get an Epsom salt substitute or you simply couldn’t get it in hand, you need an alternative or substitute. We’ve got you covered in this article.
11 Common Epsom Salt Substitutes
Here are 11 popular Epsom salt substitutes. They include;
1. Dead sea salt
This is a common Epsom salt substitute, which is rich in magnesium and other minerals. Dead sea salt can be used to revitalize and rejuvenate the skin and remove patchy areas, if any. So, as a person looking for an Epsom salt substitute, dead sea salt could be it for you.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is popularly used by people all over the world. It helps to reduce muscle soreness, promote relaxation and improve circulation. It is said to be a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent. Apple cider vinegar has a lot of cool benefits and can definitely be a great Epsom salt substitute.
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another Epsom salt substitute. It can be used as an exfoliant and it’s a natural anti inflammatory agent that helps to soothe itchy skin, relieve stress and reduce.
4. Baking soda
This is universally used substance, it is used for different purposes and can also serve as a nice Epsom salt substitute. Baking soda can help reduce itching and irritation, neutralize skin pH and soften skin. It is also used to get rid of dead skin cells.
5. Prune juice
This is a natural laxative, which helps to relieve constipation and improve digestive health. It is another good Epsom salt substitute.
6. Clay
Clay is a natural soil. It is used to remove excess oil or buildup from the skin. It also helps in detoxifying the skin, promoting circulation and reducing inflammation. It can serve as a good alternative to Epsom salt.
7. Essential oils
Certain essential oils, like lavender, eucalyptus, and chamomile, promote relaxation, soothe muscles and reduce stress.
8. Mustard powder
Muster powder is another good Epsom salt substitute that helps in promoting relaxation, improving circulation and reducing soreness. It can also be used as traditional remedy for soreness and aching bodies.
9. Sea salt
Sea salt is primarily made up of sodium chloride but may still contain trace amounts of minerals like magnesium and potassium. Sea salt may not be as minerally rich as dead sea salt but its still a good Epsom salt substitute.
10. Tumeric
Tumeric curcumin, which is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce muscle soreness, promote relaxation and improve circulation. It is a very good alternative for Epsom salt, and it is also a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent, which makes it very effective in treating skin conditions such as acne and fungal infections.
11. Ginger
Ginger is quite similar to tumeric in terms of its benefits. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce muscle soreness, promote relaxation and improve circulation. Ginger is also known to be a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent, making it effective in treating skin infections, acne and fungal infections.
These are the most common and popular Epsom salt substitute there is, but there are still ones that are not common but can be found and used as alternatives for Epsom salt.
Here are other Epsom salt substitutes you can check out or use. They include:
- Eucalyptus Salt: Eucalyptus salt is a rare Epsom salt substitute but it can still be found. It is a natural decongestant and an anti-inflammatory agent that helps promote relaxation and reduce muscle soreness.
- Thyme Essential Oils: This is another good Epsom salt substitute, that is also a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent that can help to treat skin conditions like fungal infections and acne.
- Himalayan pink salt: Himalayan pink salt is a good Epsom salt substitute, which is rich in minerals such as potassium and magnesium can help improve circulation, promote relaxation and reduce inflammation.
- Rose-mary Essential Oil: This is another Epsom salt substitute that also helps to reduce muscle soreness, improve circulation and promote relaxation.
- Bath salts: This is another good Epsom salt substitute, which is a blend of natural salts and minerals that helps to improve circulation, promote relaxation and reduce inflammation.
- Almond oil: Almond oil can be a very nice Epsom salt substitute. It known to be a natural moisturizer that can help soften and soothe the skin.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is a universally used oil and used for different purposes. It is also a natural moisturizer that helps to soothe and soften the skin.
- Kelp powder: This is another good alternative to Epsom salt, though not very common. It is another natural source of iodine and other minerals which helps to reduce soreness, and promote relaxation just like some of the other Epsom salt substitutes mentioned above.
- Magnesium chloride flakes: magnesium chloride flakes is a natural source of magnesium that also helps to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and reduce muscle soreness. It can serve as a good Epsom salt substitute.
- Peppermint oil: it is a natural cooling agent that helps to promote relaxation and reduce muscle soreness.
It is important to remember to visit the healthcare professional before switching from Epsom salt to another remedy, especially for those suffering from any underlying sickness or medical conditions.
Also, always make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on any of the products label carefully before use, this is to save you from falling victim of any harm or side effects because you didn’t read the instructions well, this is for precaution sake.
Final Word
We discovered in this article that many of the substitutes have a lot in common with Epsom salt. Generally, most of them help in reducing inflammation, reducing muscle soreness and promoting relaxation while some also help in improving the skin condition and some acts as a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent, while some softens and acts as natural exfoliant to the skin.
In this article, after helping you with all the Epsom salt substitute we could find, remember that before using any of this remedies you must seek the assistance of a health care professional in case you are suffering from any underlying medical conditions and also make sure to check for the label of the products and read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
