How to buy the safest Epsom salt

The formula for all Epsom salt contains the naturally occurring minerals of magnesium and sulfate. There are different ways of manufacturing and packaging Epsom salt, but chemically, it’s all exactly the same.

There are also different “grades” of Epsom salt for different applications, such as human use and agricultural applications.

Any package that’s labeled “USP” and has a “drug facts” box has been manufactured, tested and certified to meet stringent regulatory standards of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), and is deemed safe and acceptable for human use. For human use, the Epsom Salt Council recommends only Epsom salt with the USP designation.

Consult the package for directions. If you’re thinking about drinking Epsom salt, which, for years, has been used as a laxative for constipation, the Council recommends you first consult your doctor.