Finding Epsom Salts, Ivory Soap in the UK?

Hi guys

What is Epsom salts, and where would it likely be found in the UK?

Same goes for Ivory soap? I've wandered around my local supermarket here and not found either.

I guess we don't have these in the UK or they have different brand names?

Jimbobofmoo: Epsom salts is magnesium sulphate, used in making lemonade and various other confectionery items. Find it in the baking aids section of your supermarket alongside things like baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, etc. Go easy on it - it produces truly vicious purging.

Don't get hung up about soap brands! Any mild bath soap will do you nicely.

Johnny

Ok I settled for Dove handsoap since I wasn't spoilt for choice.

Epsom Salts I should have been able to get from Boots; a high street chemist here, but they have not sold it in a while apparently.

In the UK these things are tough to find 😢

Also here's another, Molasses? What on earth is that and where do you get it from. I don't recall ever seeing this on the shelves here. Does it have another name in the UK? ???

Jimbobofmoo,

Epsom salts is also used as a hot soaking agent for things like sprains and sore muscles. You add it to the bath water. It is the active ingredient of commercial bath salts. You should be able to find it in a supermarket and you can ask for it by name with no embarrassment due to its many uses (e.g. added to the water used for pot plants).

For molasses (same name the world over), try a health store. Molasses is the product of the first stage of cane sugar refining. It is an almost black, thick syrup.

Johnny

Be careful with the Epsom salts. I was reading today about a young person given an enema with this to relieve constipation by his parents. He died due to a toxic overdose. The article I read said that the normal daily amount for magnesium was something like 300-400 mg per day and that 1 tablespoon contains 35 grams. The box packages, usually like a 2 quart milk carton, have listed the amount for oral administration to relieve constipation. I wouldn't go beyond that unless you're very knowledgeable about this. If it's cramps you desire, milk and molasses is the ticket.

Can the molasas have bad sie effects as well? It doesn't sound like that would be too safe either?

Don't know about the UK, but in the US, Epsom Salt can be found in any drug store, in cartons of usually 1 or 5 pounds. Usually pretty inexpensively Often it looks like a pint(1-lb size)or 2-qt(5-lb size)paper milk carton. Usually it is somewhere near the things like bandages, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, etc.

You would also find it in a similar place in larger grocery or department stores. I haven't seen the jars in the US lately, but in the UK, it may still be in a white jar. It is also used in gardening, so if all else fails you can check the hardware store. I would recommend against that ordinarily, because of purity and sanitation.

What mixture of Epsom Salts to water do you find to be most effective? I have used soap suds enemas for over 50 years; but have never tried Epsom Salts.

Molasses is used in baking as in molasses cookies. Its a dark thick substance and might be found in the baking section of the grocery store. Many years ago in the medical setting a warm milk and molasses enema was administered to relieve gas pains. I do not remember the ratios of each but have some dated nursing books that might have some info about this.

You could try looking for sorghum. It is similar to molasses, in flavor and taste, so in an enema it could maybe replace it.

I'm not sure that either molasses or sorghum is necessary for the reaction to occur. I've found that any type of syrup (yep, the pancake kind) mixed with milk will make an effective M&M enema. I assume that the reaction in the body is primarily caused by the high sugar content of the mixture reacting with the milkfat, not what kind of product the sugar comes from. I've never tried it, but it might be possible to get the same reaction with just syrup mixed with warm water and a little soap to help break the molecular bonds of the sugar and water so they mix together better. Susie may have more input to this with all her experience.