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Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate is commonly known as the Epsom salt. It is made of magnesium, sulphur, and oxygen. The chemical formula is . The name Epsom is from the place where it was discovered (England).
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Epsom salt crystal
Occurrence: It occurs in nature in various forms such as Epsomite in certain gypsum deposits and also in some mineral spring water.
Preparation of Epsom salt:
It occurs in nature and is prepared by laboratory methods by reacting sulphuric acid with magnesium hydroxide, oxide or carbonate followed by evaporation results in Epsom salts.
Properties of Epsom salt:
- It is highly soluble in water.
- Epsom salt is bitter and unsavoury.
- It is strongly hygroscopic and can be used as a desiccant (a hygroscopic substance that absorbs moisture from the air and is used as a drying agent).
- It causes the absorption of sound in seawater.
- It is the most used mineral in the pharmaceutical industry.
Uses of Epsom salt:
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Used for salt bath
- It is used to treat ailments, such as insomnia, constipation and fibromyalgia.
- It is used in agriculture for magnesium deficiency in the soil.
- It is used as a brewing salt.
- It is used for skin medications (salt bath) which reduces inflammation and relieves stress.
- It helps in muscle and nerve functions.
The benefits of Epsom salt are attributed to magnesium, a mineral which is deficient in a lot of people. It is used to treat ailments in the olden days and still now.
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