Relation of body mass index and waist-to-height ratio to cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Freedman DS, Kahn HS, Mei Z, Grummer-Strawn LM, Dietz WH, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS. [PubMed-indexed for MEDLINE].
Smelling salts release ammonia (NH3) gas, which triggers an inhalation reflex (that is, causes the muscles that control breathing to work faster) by irritating the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs. Although these hypothetical mechanisms have been discussed, it is likely that smelling salts are not effective.
Cleansing is also a common use for Epsom salts. Many people make use of it to exfoliate skin, applying a paste of Epsom salts with a little water to the skin, then rinsing with clean warm water. Homemade masks that help with oily skin can be created, using the salts as the base ingredient.