Every cell in the human body requires magnesium to make the enzymes it needs to make, store, and use energy. Every cell in the human body requires magnesium to balance its electrical charges so it can receive oxygen, glucose, and amino acids.
And every cell in the human body requires magnesium to maintain its DNA.
As essential as magnesium is, you would think that we would all make a special effort to get enough. Sadly, most people do not – until they have visited this site.
The fact is, epidemiologists tell us:
- 2% of the population has magnesium levels so low that they need to receive magnesium replenishment while in hospital care
- 20% of hospital patients are magnesium-deficient
- 25% of diabetics not in hospital are magnesium-deficient
- 50% of ICU patients are magnesium-deficient
- 70% of alcoholics are magnesium-deficient
- 80% of the general population does not receive enough magnesium from diet to meet their minimum nutritional needs
Fortunately, there is a very simple way to restore magnesium levels back to normal. It is relatively inexpensive and free from side effects. It is magnesium oil applied to the skin, which is a humble substance you can even prepare on your own.
Here are the essentials about magnesium solutions you need to know.
But Magnesium Oil is Not an Oil
The first thing to know about magnesium oil is that it is not really an oil. It is a water solution of magnesium and other naturally occurring salts.
There is so much magnesium in this water and salt mixture that it feels slippery to the touch, but unlike oil, it is completely miscible in water. You can always make a more dilute mixture, just by adding more water.
Magnesium Oil Is not Just Magnesium
Because of the way the kidneys work, when your body is short of magnesium, it cannot use calcium and potassium.
Sow low magnesium levels, also leads to low levels of calcium and potassium.
Because magnesium oil is made from ancient, natural rock salts, or from concentrated ocean or Dead Sea water, it provides not only the magnesium the body needs, but the calcium and potassium it has been unable to use while magnesium levels are low.
Magnesium oil is a concentrated solution of magnesium chloride, not magnesium sulfate, the kind of magnesium found in Epsom salts.
A few internet gurus advise that since magnesium oil contains magnesium and Epsom salts contain magnesium, all you need to do to make magnesium oil is to stir some Epsom salts into water, and, voilà – you have magnesium oil.
This is not true.
The truth is, you never use Epsom salts to make magnesium oil, and it’s not a good idea to take them orally, either.
The sulfate in Epsom salts causes the kidneys to remove potassium from the bloodstream.
And since one of the effects of low magnesium levels is resultant low potassium levels, using this kind of magnesium defeats its purpose.
Magnesium chloride does not have this effect, and it is better absorbed by the body, too.
The First Step in Making Magnesium Oil is to Buy Food Grade or Pharmaceutical Grade Magnesium Chloride
Food-grade magnesium chloride is the chemical you need to make your own magnesium oil, although pharmaceutical grade also works.
The significance of food and pharmaceutical grades is that they are certified not to contain additives or additional chemicals that could be harmful to your body.
Most products labeled as ‘ancient minerals’ are food grade, and contain magnesium chloride, although it never hurts to ask.
The Second Step in Making Magnesium Oil is to Secure at Least a Small Supply of Distilled Water
While you could safely make magnesium oil with most tap water, distilled water has the advantage of purity from minerals that could react with and bind magnesium so that it stays in the solution rather than entering your skin.
You can buy distilled water in at most supermarkets, some even have vending machines. Or you can buy a home water distiller/treatment system. We found the best one on Amazon.
The Third Step in Making Magnesium Oil is to Mix the Magnesium chloride and Distilled Water
Measure out equal volumes of magnesium flakes and distilled water. You will probably want to start with ½ cup (120 ml by volume) of flakes and ½ cup (120 ml) of water.
Heat the water to boiling in a non-reactive, preferably glass, saucepan and stir in the flakes. It’s ok to add more, as long as they can dissolve. Take the saucepan off the heat and allow to cool to room temperature, and then store in a glass bottle.
Simple, isn’t it?
Using your magnesium oil is simple, too.
Just apply to your arms, legs and stomach daily, preferably just after you get out of the shower and towel off.
Let the oil dry just a little before you dress, but don’t towel it off, too. That would ruin its effect.
If you have diabetic neuropathy, put some magnesium oil on your feet and allow to dry thoroughly before putting on your socks.
What Changes Should You Expect When You Start Using Magnesium Oil?
If you are mildly magnesium-deficient, and most people are, it will take about 10 days for your magnesium levels to build enough to make a difference in how you feel.
One of the first things you will probably notice is that you feel more relaxed.
If you use magnesium oil in the morning, it may be easier for you to get going, because you feel more focused. If you use magnesium oil in the evening, you may find it easier to get to sleep.
Choose Your Magnesium Oil Type
And one of the surprising effects of magnesium replacement, many users find, is not needing to use deodorants, or having a milder skin reaction to deodorants that contain aluminum.
Can Anything Go Wrong With Homemade Magnesium Oil?
If you have generally sensitive skin, or if you are itchy and scratchy after swimming or surfing in ocean water, you may have a little skin irritation when you use your own homemade magnesium oil.
There is an easy fix for this problem.
Just add a little distilled water, and apply more of the solution. However, you may find that purchased magnesium oil will not affect your skin, like homemade does.
References:
1 – https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PMC4455825/
2 – https://medicalnewstoday.com/321735.php
3 – https://en.wikipedia.org/Magnesium_chloride
4 – https://medicinenet.com/diabetic_neuropathy
Konrad M. Disorders of magnesium metabolism. In: Geary D, Shaefer F. Comprehensive Pediatric Nephrology. Philadelphia PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:461-475.
Martin KJ, González EA, Slatopolsky E. Clinical consequences and management of hypomagnesemia. J Am Soc Nephrol. Nov 2009;20(11):2291-5.
Whang R, Ryder KW. Frequency of hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia. Requested vs routine. JAMA. Jun 13 1990;263(22):3063-4.
