CAS Number: 10034-99-8
Linear Formula: MgSO4 · 7H2O
Molecular Weight: 246.47
IUPAC Name: Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate
Other Names: Epsom salt heptahydrate, English salt, Bitter salts, Bath salts
Magnesium sulfate is an inorganic salt with the formula MgSO4(H2O)x where 0≤x≤7. It is often encountered as the heptahydrate sulfate mineral epsomite (MgSO4·7H2O), commonly called Epsom salt. The overall global annual usage in the mid-1970s of the monohydrate was 2.3 million tons, of which the majority was used in agriculture.
Epsom salt has been traditionally used as a component of bath salts. Epsom salt can also be used as a beauty product. Athletes use it to soothe sore muscles, while gardeners use it to improve crops. It has a variety of other uses: for example, Epsom salt is also effective in the removal of splinters.
