It is common to find salt in households, but most people are oblivious to the fact that there exist different salts for different applications. Salts differ in terms of where they are sourced from, their mineral composition as well as their uses. The most common types of salts used in households are sea salt and Epsom salt. These salts have been used in different applications over time and have gained prominence in household use especially in cooking and bathing. Below you will find a guide to the characteristics and uses of both Epsom salt and sea salt.
Production Process
Sea salt, as the name suggests is derived from evaporation of sea water. The residue left after evaporation of sea water is crystals of sea salt. Sea salt comes in a wide variety of color and crystal sizes, including pink, brown and black; while crystal size ranges from large, coarse ones down to fine grains. On the other hand, Epsom salt is a chemical compound of magnesium and sulphates. This compound is prepared through a chemical process. Epsom salt powder is white in color when dehydrated.
Common Applications
Since sea salt is tasty and has a wide range of chemical components that are healthy; it is suited to cooking purposes. Sea salt contains iodine, magnesium and potassium which provide various health benefits when ingested. Epsom salt has a bitter taste and is at times referred to as bitter salt. This salt, which may be in the form of a powder or gel, is mainly used in gardening purposes as well as health and cosmetic purposes. The chemicals present in Epsom salt make it great for enhancing the minerals present in gardening soil especially for potted plants.
Health Benefits
Epsom salt has been widely used in health and cosmetic applications for a long time. Since it is rich in magnesium and sulphates, it is commonly used in baths to reduce inflammation and stress as well as provide a general feeling of wellbeing because the magnesium present in it is vital in regulating hormones in the body. Soaking in a bath with Epsom salt has also been seen to enhance the production of serotonin, which is a feel good hormone that enhances a person’s mood. Sea salt, on the other hand, has been preferred by many for its health benefits. Due to the fact that amniotic fluid has a similar chemical composition to seawater, it is thought that it has great skin care capabilities. Sea salt is also great at enhancing the healing of small nicks and cuts on the skin. Sea salt has a richer chemical composition compared to Epsom salts and is, therefore, viewed as being more beneficial when it comes to conditioning the skin and providing mineral value.
