Grandma says: Pack your Epson Salt
When I was growing up and, after age 5, living in the country, far from a local drug store, and in an extended family who had survived the great depression as well as the World War II rationing, one did not have a medicine cabinet full of either prescribed or over the counter remedies. Actually, I do not recall an actual medicine cabinet - even in those modern homes which had an inside bathroom. There might have been a shelf which contained a basket for hair curlers, shaving brush and soap, lye hand soap, Bayer aspirin, perhaps Ex-lax, and a carton resembling the more modern quart milk carton of Epson Salt. There also might have been some “feminine products” which were certainly not left out for public display. I do recall my father having a supply of what I think was called Bromol Seltzer for headaches and Tums for indigestion.
The main item which I remember being given for just about anything which ailed me or my siblings was Epson Salt. I have no idea whether this was true in the home in which my mother grew up, but once our mother was married to Grandma Fannie’s only child, she was taught how to cook, clean, and care for children. Once we moved to Oklahoma we were far away from Grandma Drake. Our only contact between mother and Grandpa Drake was occasional letters. Grandma Fannie was the matriarch who shared all she knew with my father’s wife, our mother, about how to care for herself and her family. One the very early gifts must have been a large box of Epsom Salt which in 1945 cost an average of about $1.40.
I am not sure what made me think of Epsom Salt today. Perhaps it is because I have had a cold and am feeling a little achy. My friend Marv, a physician, suggested I get a particular over the counter homeopathetic cold medication which I did. Later I started thinking about the fact that for years, after I left home I heeded Grandma Fannie’s advice and made sure I had an ample supply of Epsom Salt. That got me to wondering if Epsom Salt was still available as the cure for many ailments or discomforts. I googled Epson Salts and was rewarded with hundreds of hits including one which offered to remind me of the 20 or 25 uses of Epsom Salt. Most of the suggestions involved adding it to water and then soaking all or parts of one body in it. The magnesium sulfate is easily absorbed into the body and will, it is claimed, promote the production of serotonin as well as other benefits. It will also relieve feelings of anxiety, reduce pain and cramping, regulates fluid retention, improves circulation, and taken orally or transdermally help to regulate blood sugar, and relieve constipation. Additionally, it will soothe sprains and bruises, keep feet healthy, and a host of benefits to the health of one’s body and even one’s garden. (naturallvingideas.com).
It seems that Epsom Salt continues to not only be available but to be touted as an all-around aide to one’s health. It is readily available, even on Amazo, in quantities as large as 50 pounds and as small as 18 ounces.
I recall that taking it as a laxative or internally for any reason was a rather gross experience. As a child, I thought that perhaps it was a sneaky way for grandmothers and mothers, to quickly reduce “excuses” for not completing chores or homework. Grandmother Fannie and my mother might be deceased, but I am still cautious about complaining out loud for fear that the spirit of Grandma Fannie or mother will take over and force me to drink a mixture of Epsom Salt and water. In the 59 years since I obediently packed my Epsom Salts I have not had any physical symptoms which demanded the oral administration of Epsom Salt. Sadly, it has also been many years since I have remembered to draw a bath and mix in a little Epsom Salts to ease normal aches.
There are many claims, which purport to be backed by some scientific studies, that the chemical, magnesium sulfate, does indeed have a number of health benefits as well as some for the garden and other home issues. Although I did not check all the hits I did not locate any which suggested harmful effects of using it.
Grandma Fannie would not be surprised that her old fashion medicine continues to be an inexpensive and helpful remedy for a variety of health and home issues. Although, as Grandpa Ed and she aged, they did add some medications to their medicine cabinet, I am sure that Epsom Salt remained a stable.
Thanks to ever present Alexa, my Amazon shopping basket now contains Epsom Salt.
Thanks, Grandma Fannie.
Written September 25, 2017
When I was growing up and, after age 5, living in the country, far from a local drug store, and in an extended family who had survived the great depression as well as the World War II rationing, one did not have a medicine cabinet full of either prescribed or over the counter remedies. Actually, I do not recall an actual medicine cabinet - even in those modern homes which had an inside bathroom. There might have been a shelf which contained a basket for hair curlers, shaving brush and soap, lye hand soap, Bayer aspirin, perhaps Ex-lax, and a carton resembling the more modern quart milk carton of Epson Salt. There also might have been some “feminine products” which were certainly not left out for public display. I do recall my father having a supply of what I think was called Bromol Seltzer for headaches and Tums for indigestion.
The main item which I remember being given for just about anything which ailed me or my siblings was Epson Salt. I have no idea whether this was true in the home in which my mother grew up, but once our mother was married to Grandma Fannie’s only child, she was taught how to cook, clean, and care for children. Once we moved to Oklahoma we were far away from Grandma Drake. Our only contact between mother and Grandpa Drake was occasional letters. Grandma Fannie was the matriarch who shared all she knew with my father’s wife, our mother, about how to care for herself and her family. One the very early gifts must have been a large box of Epsom Salt which in 1945 cost an average of about $1.40.
I am not sure what made me think of Epsom Salt today. Perhaps it is because I have had a cold and am feeling a little achy. My friend Marv, a physician, suggested I get a particular over the counter homeopathetic cold medication which I did. Later I started thinking about the fact that for years, after I left home I heeded Grandma Fannie’s advice and made sure I had an ample supply of Epsom Salt. That got me to wondering if Epsom Salt was still available as the cure for many ailments or discomforts. I googled Epson Salts and was rewarded with hundreds of hits including one which offered to remind me of the 20 or 25 uses of Epsom Salt. Most of the suggestions involved adding it to water and then soaking all or parts of one body in it. The magnesium sulfate is easily absorbed into the body and will, it is claimed, promote the production of serotonin as well as other benefits. It will also relieve feelings of anxiety, reduce pain and cramping, regulates fluid retention, improves circulation, and taken orally or transdermally help to regulate blood sugar, and relieve constipation. Additionally, it will soothe sprains and bruises, keep feet healthy, and a host of benefits to the health of one’s body and even one’s garden. (naturallvingideas.com).
It seems that Epsom Salt continues to not only be available but to be touted as an all-around aide to one’s health. It is readily available, even on Amazo, in quantities as large as 50 pounds and as small as 18 ounces.
I recall that taking it as a laxative or internally for any reason was a rather gross experience. As a child, I thought that perhaps it was a sneaky way for grandmothers and mothers, to quickly reduce “excuses” for not completing chores or homework. Grandmother Fannie and my mother might be deceased, but I am still cautious about complaining out loud for fear that the spirit of Grandma Fannie or mother will take over and force me to drink a mixture of Epsom Salt and water. In the 59 years since I obediently packed my Epsom Salts I have not had any physical symptoms which demanded the oral administration of Epsom Salt. Sadly, it has also been many years since I have remembered to draw a bath and mix in a little Epsom Salts to ease normal aches.
There are many claims, which purport to be backed by some scientific studies, that the chemical, magnesium sulfate, does indeed have a number of health benefits as well as some for the garden and other home issues. Although I did not check all the hits I did not locate any which suggested harmful effects of using it.
Grandma Fannie would not be surprised that her old fashion medicine continues to be an inexpensive and helpful remedy for a variety of health and home issues. Although, as Grandpa Ed and she aged, they did add some medications to their medicine cabinet, I am sure that Epsom Salt remained a stable.
Thanks to ever present Alexa, my Amazon shopping basket now contains Epsom Salt.
Thanks, Grandma Fannie.
Written September 25, 2017
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