What Does Epsom Salts Do?
Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salts, was originally discovered centuries ago in Epsom, England, and is not actually a salt. The mineral is a combination of magnesium and sulfur and has the appearance of coarse table salt (sodium chloride). It is inexpensive and is sold by the pound in most drug and grocery stores. Epsom salts have long been used for health and beauty, as a gardening aid and as a treatment for some fish diseases. It can also treat the discomfort of mosquito bites, insect stings and sunburn, and might reduce some symptoms of autism. Health Because of extensive farming, the amount of magnesium in the American diet has decreased in the past 50 years. Processed food further depletes the body of magnesium stores. The National Academy of Sciences reports that most Americans are magnesium deficient resulting in an increase in heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive problems, stress-related disorders, chronic fatigue and other illne
