Oh, Epsom salt-who knew that such an uninspiring ingredient could inspire such devotion Epsom salts have amazing health benefits-here are many ways to use Epsom salts, including a relaxing bath, a face scrub and a hair volumizer. It's also a miracle cure-all, helping to remove splinters and reduce swelling of sprains and bruises. One ingredient really does fit all! I always knew that soaking in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom salts was good for relaxing muscles and drawing toxins from the body, but I could never figure out why. And it wasn't until I spent some time at the Epsom salt industry council web site that I learned that Epsom salts-made of the mineral magnesium sulfate-are also a sedative for the nervous system. When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient, exfoliator, and much more.