Does Epsom Salt Go Bad?
Epsom salt has a lot of great uses from reliving body aches to reducing the pain of sunburn. It's a great product that everyone should have in their homes, but does it expire?
Does Epsom salt expire? Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) will not lose it's efficacy if it's kept dry and away from humidity. Epsom salt will not grow bacteria or other microbes and will be good as long as it doesn't get contaminated from an outside source.
The benefits of Epsom salt are great. Let's see how we can keep it usable for a long time!
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How Long is Epsom Salt Good For?
Epsom salt is a simple chemical known as magnesium sulfate and isn't likely to break down or lose its effectiveness when it's stored in a dry place.
Epsom salt will keep for many years after its marked expiration date. Even if it clumps or gets hard, you can just break it up or dissolve it to use it.
You can keep it from getting hard by keeping it sealed in its original packaging or inside of a waterproof container. This isn't required though.
Epsom salts do come in different grades. Some are intended for human use while other grades are meant more for agricultural applications. If the package has a drug facts area or has a USP label then it's meant for human use and meets the FDA requirements.
Why Does Epsom Salt Have an Expiration Date?
The expiration date on things like Epsom salt is required by law and only indicates the date that it should still resemble the original product. This means that before the expiration date it shouldn't clump or get hard. After the expiration date then it's possible for those things to happen.
Overall, the expiration date on Epsom salt doesn't mean much of anything.
What is Epsom Salt Used For?
The most common use for Epsom salt is as a cure for body aches, and to relieve inflammation that causes stiffness and pain. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a bath and soak for 15 minutes or more.
Magnesium can help with relaxation and stress relief by increasing serotonin levels when you take an Epsom salt bath.
Epsom salt baths can improve circulation and lower blood pressure.
Studies have shown Epsom salt can help regulate electrolytes in your body, which keeps your muscles, and nerves working properly. Magnesium is also critical in the proper use of calcium in your body, which serves as the main conductor of electric impulses in your body.
Soaking your feet in warm water with 1/2 cup of Epsom salt mixed in will get rid of athletes foot, toenail fungus, odors, rough skin and also reduce swelling.
Epsom salt can act as a laxative by mixing 1 teaspoon with 8 ounces of water. Follow up with plenty of water to help prevent upset stomach and cramping.
Relieve sunburn by spraying the area with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt and 1 cup of water. This will help bring down any inflammation.
You can draw a splinter to the surface by soaking in an Epsom salt and water mixture. This also relieves the swelling around the splinter, making it easier to remove.
Give relief to poison ivy by using a cold Epsom salt compress on the area.
Stop itchy skin with a mixture of a 1/2 cup of hot water and 1/2 cup of Epsom salt. This works on bug bites and a lot of other causes of itching.
Clean pots and pans by scrubbing them with Epsom salt. Just sprinkle Epsom salt on the pan before you start scrubbing.
Make a grout cleaner by mixing equal parts Epsom salt and dish detergent. Scrub the grout with the mixture, let it sit for 5 minutes and clean it off.
Clean your washing machine by running a hot cycle with 1 quart of vinegar and 1 cup of Epsom salt. This removes built up soaps and any gunk inside your washing machine.
Epsom salt can keep slugs and other pests from your garden, add magnesium back to the soil and make your plants greener.
Stop houseplants from turning yellow by adding a teaspoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water before you water them. Epsom salt will replace the mineral deficiency that your plants have.
How Does Epsom Salt Work?
According to Healthline, when added to warm water, Epsom salt dissolves and allows the magnesium and sulfate to absorb into the body. This increases the magnesium levels of the body, reducing inflammation and improving muscle function.
Can Epsom Salt Be Dangerous?
Epsom salt is considered to be really safe, but it does have some possible side effects.
It's used as a natural laxative so it can (obviously) cause diarrhea, but it can also cause bloating and make your stomach upset. When you're using it as a laxative, you should make sure that you take it with plenty of water so that it's less likely to cause an upset stomach and bloating.
There have also been cases of magnesium overdose reported when using Epsom salt. This can lead to headaches, nausea, lightheadedness and flushed skin.
The previous article Does Epsom Salt Expire? (Why Does it Have an Expiration Date at All?) was first published to: https://readylifestyle.com
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