Talk:Magnesium sulfate

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What is the appeal of epsom salt soaks? Does it do anything special? --Elijah 05:19, 2005 Jan 21 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Contradictory Data

I was looking for solubilities at higher temperatures in the Merck index and noticed (for the heptahydrate) 'Soly in water (g/100 ml): at 20° = 71; at 40° = 91.' After doing the conversion (to put the heptahydrate in terms of the anhydrous salt) the solubility should be around 35g/dl. This is a pretty large difference.

In addition, I think it would be good practice to specify what hydrated form the density data is for, as the data is pretty much useless without this specification. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.61.66.171 (talk) 18:50, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] is it safe?

someone sent me a non-surgical way to get rid of gallstones. It included drinking a warm glass of water with a teaspoon of Epsom salt. Is this safe to take orally without a doctors prescription? -mulat

It's going to give you diarrhoea and the gallstones will remain where they are. If the gallstones are bothering you it may be an idea to ask your doctor for a referral. Cholecystectomy is a very minor procedure nowadays. Yeah, I know it's surgery, but even ursodeoxycholic acid is not very effective. JFW | T@lk 09:33, 18 August 2005 (UTC)
actually, the lemon juice + oil + magnesium sulfate recipe for gallstone expulsion has worked for several friends who have done it with good results. if you don't have someone who can talk you through it, perhaps you should consult with a naturopath or similar who is familiar with the technique. Xurizaemon 01:29, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Ksp: Shouldn't it be included

Don't you guys think we should have some sort of template for chemical compounds? And shouldn't such information as the empirical Ksp be a part of that, somewhere on the right? I have a hard time finding Ksp, and this should be a central place to find it. - ElAmericano 01:26, 21 October 2005 (UTC)

Would anyone more qualified than me like to apply the

Magnesium sulfate
Image:Magnesium sulfate.jpg
Systematic name Magnesium sulfate
Other names xxx, xxx
Molecular formula XxXxXx
Molar mass xx.xx g/mol
Density x.xxx g/cm³
Solubility (water) x.xx g/l
Melting point xx.x °C
Boiling point xx.x °C
CAS number [xx-xx-xx]
Disclaimer and references

to this and other compounds? It seems like a good idea to me. - ElAmericano 22:08, 27 October 2005 (UTC)


[edit] organic synth

added a note on its use as a drying agent. --Dstroud 04:21, 23 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Formatting problem

The table on the right seems to interfere with the section edit links. I'm running Mac OS X and on Safari it looks like this [1]. I tried Firefox but it's not much better.

Other pages with that table don't seem to have this problem, a quick look at the page source suggests their tables are implemented differently, but it's completely opaque to me so I haven't attempted to change. Until someone comes along who can do the job, I've added __NOEDITSECTION__ to fix the problem temporarily. I realise this isn't ideal, but I think it's the lesser of two evils. --benmachine 20:06, 9 January 2006 (UTC)

I've got the same problem with FireFox under Windows, but I would not start with NOEDITSECTION to solve this. Consider the technical reference desk. JFW | T@lk 21:56, 9 January 2006 (UTC)
An anon user had changed the name of the image link so we lost the pic, once we lost the pic the formatting seemed to get messed up. I restored the picture, and I moved the hydrate picture over to the left, it looks better now. It should get even better when there's a bit more content. Walkerma 17:19, 10 January 2006 (UTC)

Well spotted. Thanks! JFW | T@lk 17:32, 10 January 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Soaking

What is the evidence that soaking in Epsom salts is medically benificial? I have Hemorrhoids and soaking in Epsom salts was recommended, and I have experienced an easing of symptoms during soaking. The Epsom salt council indicates that absorbtion of magnesium through the digestive tract can be blocked by some foods drugs and illnesses and implies that that is why soaking is recommended. Does anyone know of any medical research that would back this up? Does anyone know why doctors recommend soaking in Epsom salts for hemorhoids? Edwin Stearns | Talk 20:38, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

I'm also curious about this. I was told that for stiff or strained muscles it is beneficial in reducing pain, once it gets abosrbed through the skin, and have been using it for a few years now whenever I pull a muscle during martial arts or exercising. However, I'm wondering if it isn't just a placebo effect... Shanada 13:31, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

I was also told that the soaking in Epsom salt that I did for my ingrown nail was merely, as the doctor put it, "delaying the inevitable". I also do not recall it really doing anything other than dampening my foot. Rockhound 22:19, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

Research at Birmingham university UK Mgwater has shown that both Mg and sulfate are transferred through the skin when bathing in 1% solution in useful amounts to correct deficiency. Surplus is excreted by the kidneys. [user ProfSWback 15:17, 19 December 2006 (UTC)profSWback 19 dec 2006]

i am trying to understand what is benefit of soaking.. so far i gather three things = it keeps skin from "pruning" and if you have a cut, the salt is cleansing, and enough of the "salt" is absorbed by skin help correct Mg and sulfate deficiencies. however, that doesnt answer if and why it would help sore muscles, etc...unless they are caused by Mg and/or sulfate deficiencies?

It probably tends to push it into tissues; the blood level is fairly tightly controlled for some reason which implies that other things suck it out of the blood to achieve this. Magnesium has an anti-inflammatory effect. which is why it helps ease muscle and throat aches. It also has immunomodulatory effects particularly if you are deficient which very many people are.WolfKeeper 05:50, 10 May 2007 (UTC)
I would like to know how much Epsom Salts to use to get any benefit while soaking? Is there a rule of thumb? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.83.73.66 (talk • contribs).

[edit] Use in Smoke Compositions?

I have heard from some sources that this compound is also used in some improvised "smoke bombs".

The articles smoke bomb and Smoke-screen Walkerma 04:33, 8 February 2006 (UTC) .....................................................................

Hi Folks,

Thinkman Here! I just wanted to let you know the truth about Epsom Salt being used in smoke bombs. Epsom Salt has been in use for a very long time and with that so has the use of it in smoke bombs (smoke screens). The military started testing and using it back in the later part of WW2. It is used mostly for burn rate reduction and does aid in the amount of smoke it's self. the ratio is: 3 parts Potassium Nitrate, 2 parts Sugar (Confectioners powdered sugar), and 1 part Epsom Salt. Mix all ingredients, place in a small pot on a electric burner. Heat on medium heat slowly, stirring every 30 secs. until it turns into carmel like substance. Take off heat and spoon blobs on to hard surface and let cool add a fuse before it starts to cool! Caution be very careful, this can be dangerous if over heated take this out doors to be safe, never make this stuff inside. ...................................................................

[edit] Ionic or Molecular?

Hey whoever's out there, is magnesium sulfate ionic or molecular? i can't find it anywhere!

It's an ionic salt, like sodium chloride. When it dissolves in water, it turns into Mg++ ions and SO4= ions. SBHarris 00:20, 11 February 2007 (UTC)


Thanks!!

[edit] Safe in Copper Bath Tubs

Is Epsom Salts safe for use in copper baths?

It should be. Walkerma 05:53, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Methamphetamine

There is an unreferenced comment in the article under medical uses purporting the use of magnesium sulfate "In maintaining and preventing amphetamine and methamphemine tolerance".

This comment is contradictory, and regardless of whether maintaining or preventing tolerence is it's effect, the comment should be referenced or removed.

However, if unreferenced comments are to be allowed, perhaps it is worth noting that crystal methamphetamine sold for smoking is often cut with magnesium sulfate, as it is not only similar in appearance but also in vaporisation properties when combined with liquid-phase methamphetamine.

[edit] Dehydration temperature?

At what temperature does MgSO4+7H2O become good 'ol anhydrous MgSO4? It's not in the article, either. Kel - Ex-web.god 22:31, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

The CRC Handbook (81st edition) says the heptahydrate loses water at 150 °C. This article needs a "Properties" section where we can put this. Walkerma 21:06, 15 October 2007 (UTC)
The Merck index says it loses its last mole of water at ~250 °C.
You're never going to get a single answer to this question. It will loose water at a whole range of temperatures. It will just loose the water faster at higher temperatures. And it's also going to depend on the amount of water in the atmosphere around the sample being heated.--Ed (Edgar181) 18:37, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of "Annie Epsom"

I am very familiar with the story of the cows and the water in Epsom, but this new story involving "Annie Epsom" (Yannie) seems very suspect. There are no valid sources provided, there is absolutely nothing found by Google about the "well known" personality, so I've removed it. If I made a mistake, please restore with valid references. Walkerma (talk) 05:23, 13 December 2007 (UTC)