Welcome to Call to Decision
We all need a little break from the dirt of politics so here is
another kind of *dirt* that is GOOD for us.
Some tips on the use of Epsom Salts.
I hope this will be of use to many readers,
Jackie Juntti
WGEN idzrus@earthlink.net
I remember my older half sister grew the most luscious garden and her
cauliflower never had a bug or bad spot - the cauliflower was WHITE as
well.
Two things she told me that helped in that was the use of Epsom salt -
applied liberally BEFORE planting the seed and sprinkled during growth
... and then when the flower got big enough to take the green
leaves and cover the flower with the leaves holding them together with
clothespins. That keeps the sun off the flower, keeping it white.
Epsom Salts is great for many other things in the garden beside keeping
many garden pests away from the roots of the plants. I found this
on a web page:
Studies show that magnesium and sulfur, two components of
Epsom Salt may:
- Help seeds germinate
- Make plants grow bushier
- Produce more flowers
- Increase chlorophyll production
- Improve phosphorus and nitrogen uptake
- Houseplants: 2 tablespoons per gallon of
water; feed plants monthly.
- Tomatoes: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks.
- Roses: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks. Also scratch 1/2 cup into soil at base to encourage flowering canes and healthy new basal cane growth. Soak unplanted bushes in 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt per gallon of water to help roots recover. Add a tablespoon of Epsom Salt to each hole at planting time. Spray with Epsom Salt solution weekly to discourage pests.
- Shrubs (evergreens, azaleas, rhododendron): 1 tablespoon per 9 square feet. Apply over root zone every 2-4 weeks.
- Lawns: Apply 3 pounds for every 1,250 square feet with a spreader, or dilute in water and apply with a sprayer.
- Trees: Apply 2 tablespoons per 9 square feet. Apply over the root zone 3 times annually.
- Garden Startup: Sprinkle 1 cup per 100 square feet. Mix into soil before planting.
- Sage: Do not apply! This herb is one of the few plants that doesn't like Epsom Salt.
- Tomatoes: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks.
My worm bed was a large board - roughly 2' x 2' and under that I put all my coffee grounds and broken up egg shells. I always had great earth worms which are good for the garden as well as fishing. When I stopped drinking *hard* coffee and had no grounds I made deals with small cafe's to get their grounds and egg shells for me garden. I would leave a couple 5 gal buckets for them and then I picked up daily.
I like to use non-chemical products so that my food is as free of chemicals as can be.
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Epsom salts is great for bathing in and soaking your feet - a great de-toxer as well as several other benefits and it is CHEMICAL FREE - not to mention a lot less e3xpensive than all those chemical bath items we see advertised all the time.
Some wonderful information : http://www.care2.com/greenliving/health-benefits-of-epsom-salt-baths.html
and here too: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1457.asp
Usage For Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt actually has dozens of healthful benefits. Using Epsom Salt is a natural way to relax the nervous system, treat skin problems, and draw toxins from the body. The name Epsom Salt was originally given to Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate, named for the mineral waters found in Epsom England. People traveled long distances in the hope that they would be cured of their health conditions by applying the mineral waters. Today there are very few people who are not familiar with Epsom Salt and the healing benefits.
This long-time remedy has been useful for almost everything from aching limbs, back pain, healing cuts, muscle strain, colds and congestion, soreness from childbirth, and flushing toxins and heavy metals from the body. The magnesium sulfate of Epsom Salt acts as a muscle relaxant, and by easing muscle pain it helps the body to eliminate harmful substances.
Stress and Epson Salt, stress can drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation.
Soak aching, tired feet in a pan of water with half a cup of Epsom Salt, this will not only make your feet feel better, but they'll smell better too. Epsom Salt neutralize odor and soften skin. Also, soaking a splinter in Epsom Salt can release the splinter and help the area to heal.
Rubbing Epsom Salt directly on the body exfoliates skin and leaves it smooth and silky. You can add essential oils or mix with baby oil. Keep a mixture by the sink if you wash your hands a lot. The combination can help treat dry skin problems.
So, the next time you're shopping for a healthy beauty products, pass by the expensive fancy stuff buy a box of Epsom Salt. Throw a couple hand-full into a bath, take a few moments for your self after a hectic day, even if it is only for 20 minutes. Try Epsom Salt as a salt scrub to exfoliate, cleanse and soften rough spots.
Spa Treatment Scrub Recipe
After showering, massage handfuls of Epsom Salt over wet skin to exfoliate the body. According to the Epsom Salt Counsel, It is the same treatment many upscale spas use, without the upscale price! Massage a handful of Epsom Salt, mixed with 1 tablespoon of bath oil or olive oil, over wet skin to cleanse, exfoliate and soften the rough spots. Rinse well.
Facial: Mix ½ Tsp of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.
Skin mask: for normal to oily skin, mix I tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, ¼ cup of nonfat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and ½ tsp of Epsom salt. Apply to moistened skin. Leave on for about 20 minutes and rinse with tepid water. For normal to dry skin, mix ¼ cup of grated carrot, 1 and ½ tsps of mayonnaise and ½ tsp of Epsom Salt. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with tepid water
Oily Hair: add 9 tablespoons of Epsom Salt to ½ cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair while it is dry, and then rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair; leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse. To add volume to limp hair: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and Epsom Salt in a pan and warm to a comfortable temperature. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes and rinse.
Bath Salt Basic Recipe
1 c. Epsom Salt
10-20 drops of essential oil
1 c. sea salt
10 drops food coloring (opt)
Place salts in a large bowl mix well. Take out ½ c. and put in a small bowl. Add essential oil and food coloring to the salts in the small bowl mix well. Add the blended mixture to the large bowl a little at a time until you are pleased with the color and strength. Pour your salts in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Makes six to eight uses.
To use: draw a warm bath and add ¼ c. of salts to the running water.
Relaxing Bath Tea
Combine equal parts of the following:
Rose petals
Orange blossoms
Lavender flowers
Chamomile flowers
Mix well. Use 1c. In a bath bag or a square of cheesecloth-tie to make a bag. Place under running water.
Caution: You should consult your doctor prior to taking an Epsom Salt Bath. If you have high blood pressure, heart problems, of if you are diabetic.
This information is for informational purpose only and is not intended to replace the care or advice of a physician.