Epsom Salts - Don't underestimate the power of the epsom!!

Epsom Salt Uses & Benefits

What is Epsom salt?

Epsom salt, named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Long known as a natural remedy for a number of ailments, Epsom salt has numerous health benefits as well as many beauty, household and gardening-related uses.
Studies have shown that magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin, making Epsom salt baths an easy and ideal way to enjoy the amazing health benefits (*1). Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help ease migraine headaches.

What are the health benefits of using Epsom salt?

The wonders of Epsom salt have been well known for hundreds of years and unlike other salts, Epsom salt has beneficial properties that can soothe the body, mind and soul. Some of the countless health benefits include relaxing the nervous system, curing skin problems, soothing back pain and aching limbs, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating cold and congestion, and drawing toxins from the body. One of the simplest ways to ease stress and stress-related problems is to soak in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom salt. Some of the magical benefits of Epsom salt include:

Eases stress and relaxes the body

Stress drains the body of magnesium and increases levels of adrenaline. When dissolved in warm water, Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and replenishes the level of magnesium in the body. The magnesium helps to produce serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Research shows that magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy packets made in the cells. Experts believe that bathing with Epsom salt at least three times a week helps you to look better, feel better and gain more energy. Magnesium ions also relax and reduce irritability by lowering the effects of adrenaline. They create a relaxed feeling, improve sleep and concentration, and help muscles and nerves to function properly.

Relieves pain and muscle cramps

An Epsom salt bath is known to ease pain and relieve inflammation, making it beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma and migraine headaches. In addition, it has been known to heal cuts and reduce soreness from childbirth. Mix a thick paste of Epsom salt with hot water and apply to get soothing comfort. Try soaking your aching, tired (and smelly) feet in a tub of water with half a cup of Epsom salt which softens skin and will even neutralize foot odor.

Helps muscles and nerves function properly

Studies show that Epsom salt can help regulate electrolytes in your body, ensuring proper functioning of the muscles, nerves and enzymes. Magnesium is also known to be critical in the proper use of calcium, which serves as a main conductor of the electric impulses in your body.

Helps prevent hardening of arteries and blood clots

Epsom salt is believed to improve heart health and help prevent heart disease and strokes by improving blood circulation, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of sudden heart attack deaths.

Makes insulin more effective

Proper magnesium and sulfate levels increase the effectiveness of insulin in the body, helping to lower the risk or severity of diabetes.

Relieves constipation

Numerous studies have revealed that Epsom salt can be used to treat constipation. Taken internally, Epson salt acts as a detoxifying agent for colon cleansing. The salt acts like a laxative by increasing water in the intestines and can bring about temporary relief from constipation. However, it is strictly warned that Epsom salts should not be used to relieve constipation without the consultation of a physician.

Eliminates toxins from the body

The sulfates in Epsom salt help flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances. Your skin is a highly porous membrane and adding the right minerals to your bathwater triggers a process called reverse osmosis, which actually pulls salt out of your body, and harmful toxins along with it. For a detoxifying bath, at least once weekly add two cups of our Epsom salt to the water in a bathtub and soak for 10 minutes.

What are some uses of Epsom salt?

Whether you like a relaxing soak or wish to enhance your beauty effortlessly, making Epsom salt a part of your daily routine can add a whole lot of goodness to your way of life. To experience the numerous health benefits of Epsom salt, take relaxing, stress-relieving Epsom salt baths three times weekly by adding 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soaking for at least 12 minutes. For the added benefit of moisturizing your skin, add 1/2 cup olive oil. Do not use soap as it will interfere with the action of the salts. Try to rest for about two hours afterwards. If you have arthritic joints move them as much as possible after an Epsom salt bath to prevent congestion in the joints.
As a foot bath, pamper weary feet by adding 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a basin of warm water. Relax and soak feet for 20 minutes. If you like, rub away any calluses using a pumice stone. Dry feet, then add two drops of peppermint essential oil to your favorite natural moisturizer, like shea or coconut butter, and rub in thoroughly to lock in the moisture. If you are pregnant or have any health concerns, check with your doctor before using Epsom salts.

Epsom salt uses: HEALTH

Athlete’s Foot - Soak feet in an Epsom salt bath to help relieve the symptoms of Athlete’s Foot.
Remove splinters - Soak affected skin area in an Epsom salt bath to draw out the splinter.
Treat toenail fungus - Soak your affected toes in hot water mixed with a handful of Epsom salt three times a day.
Soothe sprains and bruises - Add 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak to reduce the pain and swelling of sprains and bruises.
Ease discomfort of Gout - Ease the discomfort of gout and reduce inflammation by adding 2-3 teaspoons of Epsom salts into a basin and immersing the affected foot/joint. The water should be as hot as it is comfortable. Soak for about 30 minutes.

Epsom salt uses: BEAUTY

Exfoliate dead skin - In the shower or bath, mix a handful of Epsom salt with a tablespoon of bath or olive oil and rub all over your wet skin to exfoliate and soften. Rinse thoroughly.
Exfoliating face cleanser - To clean your face and exfoliate skin at the same time, mix a half-teaspoon of Epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Gently massage into skin and rinse with cold water.
Dislodge blackheads - Add a teaspoon of Epsom salt and 3 drops iodine into a half cup of boiling water. Apply this mixture to the blackheads with a cotton ball.
Remove foot odor - Mix a half cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes to remove bad odor, sooth achy feet, and soften rough skin.
Remove hairspray - Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup Epsom salt. Cover the mixture and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and leave on for 20 minutes before shampooing as normal.
Hair volumizer - Combine equal parts deep conditioner and Epsom salt and warm the mixture in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

Epsom salt uses: HOUSEHOLD

Clean bathroom tiles - Mix equal parts Epsom salt and liquid dish detergent and use as a scrub on bathroom tile.
Prevent slugs - Sprinkle Epsom salt on or near interior entry points to prevent slugs.
As a hand wash - Mix Epsom salt with baby oil and keep by the sink for an effective hand wash.

Epsom salt uses: GARDENING

Fertilize your houseplants - Most plants need nutrients like magnesium and sulfur to stay in good health and Epsom salt makes the primary nutrients in most plant foods (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) more effective. Sprinkle Epsom salt once weekly to help nourish your houseplants, flowers and vegetables.
Keep your lawn green - Magnesium sulfate crystals, when added to the soil, provide vital nutrients that help prevent yellowing leaves and the loss of green color (magnesium is an essential element in the chlorophyll molecule) in plants. Add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and sprinkle on your lawn to keep the grass healthy and green.
Insecticide spray - Use Epson salts on your lawn and in your garden to safely and naturally get rid of plant pests.


(1.) "Report on Absorption of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) across the skin", Dr RH Waring, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham. B15 2TT, U.K.

For additional benefits Simple Life. Simple Health adds baking soda and essential oil to create lovely bath salt blends and scrubs that go together perfectly. Contact us and place your order today.  

Popular Essential Oil Blends

Here are some essential oil blends that many people enjoy:

Calming: 10 drops of Lavender, 3 drops of Chamomile, 3 drops of  Sandalwood, and 8 ounces of carrier oil. I make my oil blends stronger and would tend to use less carrier oil than this personally. I suggest starting out by adding an ounce of carrier oil and testing your skin to see if you have a reaction. If you like the intensity and it does not aggravate your skin then make the strength to your liking. This applies for the rest of the recipes as well.

Energizing: 8 drops of Peppermint, 4 drops of Lemon or Orange, and your carrier oil to preference.

Anti-bacterial and anti-viral blend: 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil, 5 drops of Oregano, and 5 drops of Peppermint or Rosemary and carrier oil to preference.

For children under 12 years old and infants only use one oil at a time. Don't blend essential oils. Also, you use a far less quantity of essential oil. For example, for a fever you would only put 1-2 drops of Lavender oil in 32 ounces of water and make a compress for the forehead. If a child or infant is irritable due to fatigue put 1 drop of Lavender in 1 Tbsp. of oil and massage into back and neck.

Bug repellant: Lemon and Eucalyptus repel mosquitoes and ticks. It lasts for 4-5 hours. It is an excellent alternative to DEET since DEET has neurological side effects.


These are just a few recipes for now. More to come in the future! Happy oil blending, healing, and health.

Essential Eucalyptus Oil

Many people have smelled Eucalyptus oil when they have been in the steam room at the gym. It is a known decongestant and expectorant. Try hanging a bunch of fresh Eucalyptus in your shower or putting some essential oil on the shower walls so that the steam will help disperse it as you shower and open up your chest and lungs. Eucalyptus is also an anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. You can add it to steamy water to help you clear your sinuses and chest when suffering from a cold or even some allergies. It is also known for purification and healing. Get some today and give it a try in your shower or even in your bath with our Eucalyptus bath salts! These can be found at my current retailers Chicago Lash Lounge in Roscoe Village and Christopher Thomas Salon in Lakeview. 

Geranium - Another Essential Oil Must Have

Geranium oil is another must have essential oil. I use it in my Peace and Calm blend that I am perfecting as we speak. It increases circulation, balances hormones, and assists in relieving cramps (anti-spasmodic). It is also hemostatic which means it helps to stop bleeding. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. It helps to repair skin cells which makes me want to try this if I have gotten too much sun. I also plan on trying this with a couple small sunspots I have noticed on my face. Geranium relieves negative emotions and balances us. It lifts our spirits and relieves nervous tension. Several people, including myself, sometimes experience anxiety and I can't wait to try this when one of those experiences arises...or perhaps even preventatively. 

Simple Life. Simple Health says HELLO CHICAGO!

I am taking my natural health business to the streets of Chicago where I can serve the Chicagoans that I have come to love since I moved here three years ago from Michigan. It has been so overwhelming and there are so many things to do but I am trying to stay organized and prioritized. My number one priority is building relationships with other individuals and businesses. I am going to start by offering my fresh raw juices to the people in the Lakeview area and offer a discount on delivery. I have some cleansing packages as well that can't be beat for their effectiveness, price, quality, and most importantly the love and care that is put into them. I am going to branch out from Lakeview to other areas in Chicago and reach out. I hope to get some love and feedback from all of you wonderful people out there. It is summertime, everyone is having fun and partying and could use some help caring for their bodies and keeping themselves healthy.

If you are interested in trying some fresh juices contact me! My website is under construction but you can check me out on Facebook, email me at reneeraville@yahoo.com or reneeraville@simplelifesimplehealth.com or even call or text me at 312-869-0726.

Contact me to show some love and support or ask any questions you have about fresh juice and how awesome it is for your body! I would love to hear from you Chicago and Simple Life. Simple Health. is here for you. We live in a wild and crazy and STRESSFUL city that I love but sometimes we need to cleanse ourselves from that stress. So let's de-stress and drink some juice! Cheers!!

Transpersonal Psychology - What is it?

     Transpersonal psychology refers to a “whole person” approach at understanding psychology (why people do what they do and why they think the way they think). This “whole person” approach includes the intellect, emotions, body, and spirit. With regards to the two triangular models s – Experiences in the Spheres of Consciousness & the 3 Fundamental Dimensions of the Whole person experience – I believe we can add some new dimensions into the working definition of “transpersonal psychology”. I believe we can overlay and interchange the relationships between the cosmocentric, egocentric, and psychocentric experiences in the spheres of consciousness with the transpersonal, personal, and interpersonal dimensions of the “whole-person” experience. The overlay and interchange between these two models results in different combinations and different relationships that can emerge between consciousness and experience. These relationships are relevant.  What is the point of experience if we are unconscious of its existence?

     Therefore, in addition to the short working definition of transpersonal psychology that I set forth in my first paragraph, I feel that consciousness plays an important role in the transpersonal experience. Understanding the focus of our consciousness (egocentric, psychocentric, and cosmocentric) and how it relates to our experience with ourself, others, and the universal whole, is imperative in understanding someone on a psychological level. In summation, I feel that transpersonal psychology is the study of the whole person, their experiences, the level of consciousness they are experiencing during a series of events or during reflection of events, and how all of these things interplay with one another to result in that person’s current perception of life as they know it/perceive it.

     Additionally, I found some commentary in the readings of particular interest. First, in reading about the Emergence of Transpersonal Psychology I really appreciated Maslow’s idea of self-actualization as a way of defining transpersonal experiences and/or studies. You could add to the definition of transpersonal psychology by positing that it is also the study of the self-actualizing dimension of human nature. I also appreciated Walt Whitman’s assertion that “body and spirit be felt with equal delight”. Additionally, the commentary about how “transcendentalists traced their world view to the European idealist school philosophy that holds that ideas and intuitions have a reality of their own”. I have never considered that notion before! Vaughan’s statement that there are three dimensions to transpersonal therapy (those dimensions being context, content, and process) really resonated with me because it organizes the therapy into a sort of “three-pronged approach” that is easier to wrap your mind around on a cognitive level.  In the future, it will be interesting to look at the context, content, and process involved in the three levels of the transpersonal spectrum (egoic, existential, and transpersonal). I am really into “overlaying”  concepts atop of one another and seeing what combinations emerge and their implications.

     The definitions of transpersonal psychology discussed in the article by Caplan, Hartelius, and Rardin also made some points of particular interest.  I love what Boorstein had to say about therapy, “I do not think about people becoming ‘cured’ or about ‘working things through’. I think about us all becoming more familiar with the habits of our minds and more skillful about habits we cultivate.” Mark Epstein intrigued me as I read, “Transpersonal psychology is the study of the impersonal nature of the self.”  I took particular notice of Gilot’s admonition on “awareness” which “pushes perception into unconscious structures, revealing the deep mental functioning and processes connected to the perception of reality and to individual choices.” Grof’s statement about religion versus spirituality and its place in transpersonal psychology really resonated with me as I read, “…it is essential to emphasize that transpersonal psychologists strictly differentiate spirituality based on personal experience from the activities involving organized religion. While it is possible to study transpersonal experiences with scientific rigor and incorporate the findings into a comprehensive world view, it is impossible to reconcile the dogmas of organized religions with science, traditional as well as ‘new paradigm science’.”  As I consider all of these points made by these various transpersonal psychologists I am slightly overwhelmed. It is a lot of food for thought (to state an overused cliché). When it is all said and done I feel like, if I were to simplify the definition, it would be as follows: the overlap of psychology and spirituality and the implications that go along with overlapping those two together. The implications have similarities and differences for everyone. There are some collective conscious – type experiences that are simply perceived and expressed uniquely by the person experiencing them and these experiences we use to better understand the whole person.