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 associated health benefits. 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.

As a bath salt magnesium sulfate is often used to help reduce the appearance of skin pruning, soothing the pain of sore feet, and as a method of reducing inflammation often through soaking the compound in through the skin. As a natural ant inflammatory, this salt can help ease a painful body when inflammation is the primary element.

Because of the natural anti inflammatory element magnesium sulfate can be found in topical application which will soak through the skin's pores and then reduce pain. Usually, this is done for mild pain brought on by inflammation and is rarely appropriate for the treatment of bone breaks or other trauma related injuries on its own. It can, however, be used as an additional method of relieving excessive pain.

The salt has a natural drying effect which can be helpful for the reduction of boils and abscesses. The infectious material can be drawn out of such conditions and can also help to reduce acne if used in poultice form.

For severe or acute asthma attacks the salt can be used in a nebulizer, bronchodilator, or through an injected medication to reduce swelling in the airway and allow for easy breathing. This should only be used under the supervision of a physician as different asthma patients have different needs for medication. One should not try this at home without a physician's consent.

Cardiac arrhythmias can often be treated with the use of magnesium sulfate. Women with preeclampsia can also include the salt as part of their treatment plan. In some cases the administration of the compound has prevented early term birth and has allowed women to rest through the end of their pregnancy without completing preterm labor. Studies indicate that the use of magnesium sulfate may be helpful in preventing the onset of cerebral palsy when used during stressful or early term labor, although the studies are still rather suggestive at this time.

Herpes and shingles are problematic conditions and the sufferer can relieve the itching, the burning, and the duration of the outbreak if they soak in a bath filled with Epsom salts. Chicken pox and measles can also be soothed in this same fashion.

It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.

Scientific Name: MgSO4 anhydrous 99.59%
aka: epsom salt, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate crystals
Origin: USA
Notes: USP Grade. Kosher Certified. Non-irradiated
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
*FDA disclaimer

References
HealthGuidance.org 
wikipedia
Epsom Salt Council (recipes)