Salt Questions · Home, wellness & DIY
How do you use an Epsom salt compress for swelling?
Short answer
Dissolve about 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 2 cups of warm water, soak a clean cloth, wring it out and hold it on the area for 15–20 minutes. Warmth may soothe aches, but there's little evidence Epsom salt itself reduces swelling. For a new injury, cold, rest and elevation are usually better than heat.
Warmth may ease aches; use cold for new injuries
How to make one
- Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in about 500 ml (2 cups) of warm, not hot, water.
- Soak a clean cloth and wring it out.
- Apply for 15–20 minutes; repeat a few times a day.
What it can help
Warm compresses can ease muscle stiffness and minor aches, and warm soaks are traditional for things like ingrown nails. Any benefit is likely due mostly to warmth.
When not to use heat
- For a fresh sprain or strain, in the first day or two, cold packs usually help swelling more.
- Don't use on open wounds, burns or infected skin.
- People with diabetes or poor circulation should ask a doctor first.
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Cite this page
For school projects and reports. Teachers often prefer the original sources too: see the list below.
The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). How do you use an Epsom salt compress for swelling. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/how-do-you-use-an-epsom-salt-compress-for-swelling
“How do you use an Epsom salt compress for swelling.” The Salt Almanac, 8 Nov. 2026, saltalmanac.com/answers/how-do-you-use-an-epsom-salt-compress-for-swelling. Accessed [today's date].
“How do you use an Epsom salt compress for swelling.” The Salt Almanac. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/how-do-you-use-an-epsom-salt-compress-for-swelling.
Original sources
- National Geographic. Epsom salt baths: how they affect your body, according to science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/epsom-salt-bath-benefits-magnesium
- Wikipedia. Magnesium sulfate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate