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Top 9 Epsom Salt Substitutes

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What should I use to substitute Epsom salt? I think this problem has crossed your mind more than once, especially if you enjoy a relaxing spa with Epsom salt. You may think finding one is challenging since this salt has so many health benefits.

Well, the truth is entirely the opposite. Actually, some of these options are already right in your kitchen, waiting for you to find out. Don’t believe me? You can start reading this article right away to learn about these alternatives and how to use them.

Sea Salt Epsom
One bath with Epsom salt can take all your tiredness away.

Epsom Salt – Your Must-Try Bath Salt

I promise this short introduction about Epsom salt won’t waste your time. In fact, it may even answer some of your questions regarding this salt and its equivalents.

What Is Epsom Salt?

Yes, the first and foremost question is always about the definition of the original. With the scientific name “magnesium sulfate”, Epsom salt is well-known as a bath salt.

In terms of appearance, this salt looks almost identical to the table sat with the white and crystalline structure. It’s also able to dilute in water. However, unlike table salt, Epsom salt is unsuitable for cooking. (1)

You’ll want to have all Epsom salt in the world to experience all these methods.

Watch this video: How To Use Epsom Salt

Epsom Salt’s Health Benefits

Though you can’t use Epsom salt for food purposes, many people still favor it for its medicinal and beauty properties.

  • Detoxify skin of dead cells and toxins
  • Smoothen skin
  • Sooth stressed and sore muscles
  • Enhance sleep quality
  • Treat constipation
  • Lighten pain and swelling (2)
Epsom Bath Salt
Epsom salt is too salty to add to any dish.

9 Healthy Choices To Replace Your Epsom Salt

No one can deny the advantages of Epsom salt. But sometimes, you can run out of it, or this salt isn’t available in your area. At those times, it’d be best if you knew about these alternatives beforehand.

Here is a table showing you brief information about the correct amount of each substitute. This way, you won’t use them wrong and end up with itchy skin.

Epsom Salt SubstitutesRecommended Amount
Sea SaltDepending on your preferences
Oatmeal1-2 tablespoon oatmeal for a bath
Apple Cider VinegarDiluted with water to wash hair 1-2 cup apple cider vinegar for a bath
Baking SodaDepending on your preferences
Essential OilsA few drops for a foot bath
Prune JuiceDepending on your preferences
ClayDepending on your preferences
Mustard Powder1-2 teaspoons for a bath 1 tablespoon for a foot bath
Pool Rock SaltDepending on your preferences

Sea Salt

Sea Salt
Sea salt resembles Epsom salt the most.

Of all options, sea salt is the closest to Epsom salt due to several similar features between these two. Among those, the one standing out the most is that sea salt can soothe your body muscle just like Epsom salt.

Moreover, sea salt is adequate to get rid of your dead skin, oil, and grime, helping your skin become smooth and soft. That’s why many doctors suggest adding sea salt to your bath.

You can choose either the traditional ones from the Dead Sea or ones with various colors from Hawaii, India, or France. Using sea salt with essential oils will elevate the effect.

If you have ever wondered how different sea salt is from table salt, this is your answer.

Watch this video: What's the Difference Between Table Salt and Sea

Oatmeal

Oatmeal Flakes Ears
Now, you can also use oatmeal for bathing.

Both Epsom salt and sea salt are not the kinds of exfoliators that are already in your house. So, let me introduce to you a more friendly alternative: Oatmeal. Actually, you don’t have to get fixed with oatmeal alone. Any soaking grains like barley or bran can do just fine.

For one bath, you should only use one or two tablespoons of oatmeal. Mix them with water until they thicken into a paste. Scrub your body with it to peel off all the dead skin, oil, dirt, and grime.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Vinegar Bottle Organic
Grab one bottle of apple cider vinegar in your kitchen and wash your hair with it now.

If you want to reduce your ache muscles but don’t have Epsom salt at the moment, dilute about one or two cups of apple cider vinegar into your bathwater. You can feel the effect right away.

Also, same as Epsom salt, this vinegar is a solution to remove all hair products in your hair. Do you know that those chemicals will damage your hair quality as time passes?

Thus, by washing your hair with apple cider vinegar mixed with water after shampooing it, your hair will retain its gloss and moisture.

Baking Soda

Baking Soda Glass
You’ll be surprised by all the effects of baking soda.

Do you know baking soda is not only for baking cakes and muffins? It is also an effective cleaning agent. But here, I’ll talk about it as an Epsom salt replacement.

Just like the original, baking soda can soothe your sore muscles when mixed with the bathwater. Besides that, people also use baking soda to treat sunburn and itchy skin.

Combine baking soda with borax for your bath water to turn silky and remove dead skin. Or you can mix this option with mineral and herbal blends for a comforting aroma.

Essential Oils

Essential Oils Herb
How many bottles of essential oil do you have now?

Just as Epsom salt eases aching feet muscles, essential oils can do the same, especially peppermint, tangerine, or lavender ones.

With this option, you don’t have to prepare too much. Just a few drops of your favored essential oil mixed in a basin of warm water is enough for your foot bath at night. Combine it with sea salt for a more effective result.

Learn how to use your essential oils the right way now!

Watch this video: How to use essential oils

Prune Juice

Prune Juice Carafe Glass
Not only does it help your constipation condition, but prune juice is also delicious.

For people with constipation, it’s advisable to consume two tablespoons of Epsom salt with eight ounces of water. However, since some people can’t tolerate hydrated magnesium sulfate, there’s an alternative for you: Prune juice.

Prune juice is a fruit juice made from dried plums. Similar to Epsom salt, this juice can aid in your bowel movement. However, remember to check your prune juice label before buying to see whether it’s all-natural or not.

Clay

Bowls Red Blue Cosmetic
Try clay mask once, and you’ll love it.

Have you ever tried a clay mask? The clay I’m talking about here isn’t what they use for ceramics but for beauty purposes. You see this kind of clay a lot in beauty salons with their spa treatments.

Now, you can have your own spa at home since clay is relatively easy to purchase. A clay bath is famous for its detox feature.

Choose either green or white kaolin clay, depending on your desire. The green type has a higher mineral content, while the latter choice is more neutral.

Making a clay mask is not hard at all. Follow this instruction for beautiful skin!

Watch this video: Clay Face Mask Recipes

Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder
A bath with mustard powder will leave you breathless, in a good way.

Some of you must feel scared when seeing this option. But believe me, you can totally swap Epsom salt to mustard powder for your relaxing bath. In fact, the Europeans have been doing that since their ancestors.

You don’t need to use too much mustard powder. Just one or two teaspoons is enough to draw out the toxins beneath your skin. It can also warm your stressed muscles.

Or, if an intense bath is not your preference, you can make a feet bath with one tablespoon of mustard powder before sleeping.

Pool Rock Salt

Aside from sea salt, you can use pool rock salt for your bath as well. Although it doesn’t sound as fancy as the first choice, this option still brings you various health benefits like enhance your skin or relieve your sore muscles and joints.

Not to mention, you can find pool rock salt easily in numerous garden stores at an affordable price. Still, make sure you choose a premium-quality one for your bath and feet soaking.

FAQs

Don’t be afraid if you still have some questions left unsolved. This part will list out all the most common problems with their solutions so that you’ll know more about Epsom salt and its substitutes.

Is table salt a suitable substitute for Epsom salt?

In some cases, yes. You can combine table salt with baking soda and essential oils for a salt bath instead of Epsom. However, table salt is mainly for cooking, so you should prioritize other options on my list.

Which options can I use for my foot bath instead of Epsom salt?

There are several choices to substitute Epsom salt in your feet soaking, but essential oil stands out the most. Other options for bathing can also apply to this purpose, like sea salt or baking soda.

Can I make my own bath salt mixture with Epsom salt?

Yes, absolutely. This bath salt mixture doesn’t require many components. Apart from Epsom salt, you only need olive oil, baking soda, and essential oil.

Can I use both Epsom salt and baking soda at the same time?

Yes, why not? You can combine both of these components for your soothing bath. If you want more, feel free to add sea salt or ground ginger to this mixture.

Should I soak my feet every night with Epsom salt?

I suggest not. While a foot bath with Epsom salt can enhance your sleep quality and health, this bath also dried your feet. It’s better to enjoy this only once or twice a week.

Do I need to rinse off Epsom salt after bathing?

Actually, you don’t have to. For the best result, just wipe your body with a dry towel.

How long should I stay in my Epsom salt bath?

Stay for a minimum of 15 minutes. Also, if you use this bath to reduce swelling, make sure the water isn’t too hot. Or else your injury will worsen. (3)

What Do You Think About This List?

I bet you hardly find any list sufficient like this. While this list contains separate options, you can mix them with your preferences until you reach an ideal result. For me, almost all mixtures will need essential oil or sea salt.

If you find my list helpful, don’t forget to share it with your relatives to save them from stressful working days! And you can write down any relating questions in the comment section below!

Top 9 Epsom Salt Substitutes

Ingredients

  • Sea Salt

  • Oatmeal

  • Apple Cider Vinegar

  • Baking Soda

  • Essential Oils

  • Prune Juice

  • Clay

  • Mustard Powder

  • Pool Rock Salt

References

  1. En.wikipedia.org.. Magnesium sulfate – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate#Heptahydrate_(Epsom_salt)>
  2. Healthline.. Epsom Salt: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/epsom-salt-benefits-uses#benefits>
  3. Healthline.. Epsom Salt Bath: Uses, Benefits, and Risks. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/epsom-salt-bath#bath>

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