Uses of Magnesium Sulfate

Magnesium sulfate is a compound of magnesium and sulfate. It is denoted by the chemical formula MgSO₄. Magnesium sulfate has a tendency to absorb water from the atmosphere, so it is often found in a hydrated form. Magnesium heptahydrate, also known as epsom salts is the most commonly available form of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate has a variety of uses, both in anhydrous (powder/flake) form as well as hydrated form.

General Uses of Magnesium Sulfate

Magnesium sulfate is used as a fertilizer and added to magnesium deficient soil to make it fertile. Magnesium is important for the soil, as it is a key element of chlorophyll and plays a vital role in photosynthesis. It has high solubility in water and can be easily absorbed by the soil. It is added mainly to crops like tomatoes, potatoes and roses, which need a lot of magnesium for their growth. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate is used for industrial purposes. It acts as a dehydrating agent during the process of syntheses of organic substances. It is mainly used because of its affinity for water. It acts as a coagulating agent in soy milk. So it is widely used for the preparation of nutritious tofu.

Medical Uses of Magnesium Sulfate

Magnesium sulfate or epsom salt has several health benefits. It helps to loosen up the taut muscles and nerves of the body. It can cure skin-related problems and extract toxins from our body. Some of the key medicinal values of magnesium sulfate or epsom salts are given below:

• When taken orally, magnesium sulfate acts as a laxative. It helps in the removal of undigested food present in the large intestine and colon, by stimulating bowel movement and thereby acts as a remedy for constipation.
• Magnesium sulfate, when administered in the veins or muscles of pregnant women, helps to delay premature labor and thereby prevent a premature birth.
• Pregnant women with preeclampsia, a condition caused due to high blood pressure, benefit from injections of magnesium sulfate, as it lowers their blood pressure and prevents a more severe condition called eclampsia. Eclampsia is a very serious condition in which pregnant women suffer convulsions during pregnancy or labor, which can be fatal for their own as well as the unborn child's life.
• Magnesium sulfate is also used to treat severe attacks of asthma. When taken intravenously, it reduces the resistance within the airways and facilitates normal airflow.
• Epsom salts dissolved in water and applied on the joints can give relief to joint pains of arthritic patients. Patients suffering from osteoporosis have also experienced marked relief from pain, after application of epsom salt gel, which helps to reduce swelling of joints and stiffness of surrounding muscles.
• Epsom salt is a key ingredient in bath salts. Bath salts containing epsom salt used in flotation therapy helps achieve relaxation in the body. A traditional method of comforting sore feet, is taking a footbath in water to which epsom salt has been added.
• It acts as a cosmetic agent and is easily absorbed into the skin. Thus, it helps in cleansing, soothing inflammations like boils and preventing wrinkling of the skin. When rubbed on dry skin, epsom salt exfoliates the skin and gives a satin-smooth feel.
• Epsom salt is also good for many hair-related problems. When applied with shampoo, it absorbs the excess oil from oily hair, and adds a glow and bounce to the hair. A warm mixture of hair conditioner and epsom salt, when used on hair is said to give it a shine .

To conclude, magnesium sulfate is a very useful chemical. It does not have any major side effects, when used either internally or externally. However, intake of magnesium sulfate as a drug, is advisable only under medical supervision.