Magnesium is one of our most critical cellular nutrients, and yet most of us need more. Transdermal magnesium is one of the best ways to add it!
According to renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Normal Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., magnesium facilitates nutrient absorption and stabilizes cell membranes.
“Magnesium is the most critical mineral required for electrical stability of every cell in the body. A magnesium deficiency may be responsible for more disease than any other nutrient.”
One of the best ways to get magnesium into the body is through the skin. Transdermal magnesium bypasses the digestive tract, making the nutrient more bioavailable without the danger of over-doing it. The body self-regulates and absorbs only what it needs. According to Shealy,
“Transdermal is the ultimate way to replenish cellular magnesium levels. Every cell in the body bathes and feeds in it and even DHEA levels are increased naturally.”
Magnesium Oil
Magnesium oil is an effective means to apply magnesium topically. Magnesium oil is not technically an oil, rather it is a super saturated form of magnesium chloride. It leaves no oily residue and no scent. It’s simple to make, provided you have access to high quality magnesium chloride.
Sources of magnesium chloride:
Simply pour 3.3 ounces hot water over 4 ounces of magnesium flakes. Stir to dissolve and allow to cool. (These are the measurements I use based on this chemistry explanation.)
Don’t want to make your own? Sources of magnesium oil:
Health Benefits of Transdermal Magnesium
The book Transdermal Magnesium Therapy, by Mark Sircus, lists these potential positive results from transdermal magnesium.
- Decreased hypertension.
- Faded age spots
- Smoothed wrinkles
- Less arthritic pain when massaged onto joints
- Stronger tooth enamel when sprayed into the mouth (Invigorates the medulla elongate)
- Improved sleep
- Improved energy production (ATP)
- Improved memory
- Decreased cramp pain
- Help with anxiety
- Increased DHEA levels (A biomarker for aging)
- Help with vertigo and confusion
- Calming effect for those with autism
How to Apply Magnesium Oil
Magnesium oil may sting at first. You may choose to spray it on tougher skin such as your feet, or dilute with sterile water before applying.
One teaspoon of 35% magnesium oil contains approximately 600 mgs of magnesium chloride. This translates into roughly 100 mg for 8 sprays. The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) is 420 mg for adult men and 320 for adult women.
For restless leg syndrome, sore muscles, or achy joints, rub thoroughly into the area. You may also make a magnesium oil compress pack:
Fold soft cotton fabric or small towel into several layers. Soak in magnesium oil. Heat slightly and apply to area of concern. Cover with plastic wrap or top with a hot water bottle. Leave on for 1-2 hours.
A white film or powder may appear after the magnesium oil dries. You can wipe or rinse it off after 20-30 minutes or rub directly into your skin.
Magnesium Balm
A gentler way to apply magnesium oil is to create or purchase a magnesium balm. (See DIY Magnesium Balm for the recipe or check out Just So’s All Natural Magnesium Balm.) Since the magnesium oil is combined with plant oils, the magnesium dose will be reduced.
Difference Between Epsom Salts and Magnesium Chloride Flakes
Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate, which is different from magnesium chloride. Sulfate is a molecule bonded to a sulfate iron, while chloride is bonded to a chlorine ion. Sulfates are inorganic compounds while chlorides exist as both organic and inorganic compounds.
Magnesium sulfate has its roots in Epsom, England and can be mined in multiple geographical locations around the globe. Magnesium chloride is derived from Bischofite deposits in seabeds. The sources noted above derive theirs from the ancient Zechstein Sea in the Netherlands.
Image courtesy of Swanson Health Products
While both Epsom salts and magnesium chloride flakes offer valuable healing properties, the chloride flakes are more readily assimilated and metabolized in the body.
Adding magnesium oil to your regimen may go a long way toward boosting your immune system. Why not give it a try?
Thanks for this! I just got a free bottle of magnesium oil spray from a WAP Foundations seminar I attended. I had no idea of the benefits!
How nice to get a free bottle! All the more now you’ll enjoy it. Thanks for commenting.
Wow! I didn’t know all this. I like to take epsom salt baths & I take magnesium supplements, but never thought of an oil rub. I bet the magnesium chloride would inhibit growth of athlete’s foot… I’ll have to look that up. Thanks for a great article!
Good thought on the athlete’s foot idea!
I’ve used magnesium “oil” for several years, but just found a topical magnesium (EASE) that is so much nicer as you don’t need to wash it off and thereby can apply several times through the day as needed. It is “magnesium chloride hexahydrate)
Thanks for the tip, Jennifer!
Hi Andrea,
I enjoyed reading your post. I had never heard of magnesium oil. While I had seen the magnesium bath flakes at my local organic grocer, I was always puzzled by them. Now I know how to use them! Thanks!
A friend told me about magnesium chloride, a spray to help with my knee pain. I had arthscopic surgery on both knees, taken supartz shots (a natural gel from the crown of a rooster). I do not want a knee replacement!! So, I’ve been looking for alternatives. Thanks for providing the difference between epsom salts vs magnesium flakes! It was my next research step towards learning more about magnesium spray/oil.
I appreciate the feedback, Robert!
i noticed the calming effects almost instantly on my my mind. have a very peaceful feeling, as i have had problems with depression and anxiety. i highly recommend ancient minerals magnesium spray.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Matthew!
If I buy Ancient Minerals Bath Flakes at 47% concentration by weight, and use your formula of 3.3 oz. of water to 4 oz. of bath flakes. Will I then get 600 mgs. of magnesium in one teaspoon at a 35% solution?
I’d have to calculate this, Wayne. I’m not sure!
If you could calculate that, I would greatly appreciate it. I want to use it for my whole family and I want to figure the most economical, yet effective, way to improve our magnesium levels.
As I calculate it, you have it right, Wayne. 600 mg for one teaspoon.
Thanks. You have been an enormous help.
I have been successful with healing my Hashimoto’s with magnesium oil. My thyroid function is vastly improved, and I am able to consume gluten again.
Thanks for sharing your story, Talitha!
Do you put the oil on the thyroid area? I have. It heard of this result being a possibility. Still doing well since posting this? Thank you.
I have a bottle of transdermal magnesium GEL. After application and waiting a while could I rub the residue into skin instead of washing with water? I’ve been diagnosed w/demyelinating polyneuritis. Do you think the gel will help me?
I can’t say if it will truly help but it certainly can’t hurt to rub the residue in….Watch your body and listen to it as you evaluate the effectiveness.
Hi where i can buy ancient mineral oil here.in the.Philippines? Pls.give me.an idea.Thanks
I’m not sure! Perhaps check with the company. http://www.ancient-minerals.com/products/magnesium-oil/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsJvOm7-L1QIVC5J-Ch3kBwT4EAAYASAAEgJ4ffD_BwE
I mixed the magnesium flakes in with my boiling water but the magnesium did not completely dissolve. What do I do??
I’m very surprised to hear this. Not sure. It eventually dissolves with enough stirring for me.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on this Andrea, because the actual science supporting transdermal magnesium supplementation seems a bit dubious after reading the study I linked below.
I remember reading about magnesium oil a while ago and rushed out and bought two 8lb bags of magnesium chloride flakes, practically reeling in excitement from the possibility of supplementing my magnesium-poor diet through a daily foot bath, or slathering of some oil, how simple! Turns out, it may have been marketing for an otherwise barely-effective product according to the fairly comprehensive study below. Despite this, you’ll see countless anecdotes on Amazon extolling the benefits for everything from mood, to sleep and skin conditions. Could it be placebo effect? I hate to be the type of person to discount personal anecdotes because they are vitally important imo, but it does cause me to tread more carefully. At the very least, if we’re going to be 100% proven science based, it seems like you’re probably better off getting your magnesium from oral supplements and diet since those methods are actually scientifically supported.
Personally for me, I already bought the bags and will probably use them anyway (foot baths are relaxing regardless), but I’m no longer too sure it’s actually helping me get a lot of magnesium in my body. The ‘transdermal’ effect seems minor at best (see below).
‘Myth or Reality—Transdermal Magnesium?’
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579607/
— NOTABLE EXCERPTS —
1. “The stratum corneum functions to form a water-repellent barrier to protect underlying tissue from infection, dehydration, chemicals and mechanical stress [9]. Overcoming this layer in significant quantities is only possible for lipophilic substances. In magnesium chloride solution, magnesium is present in ionized form and therefore not able to penetrate a lipophilic layer. In addition, the radius of the hydrated magnesium ion (86 pm) has been reported to be 400 times higher than its dehydrated form, leading to the assertion that it is almost impossible for magnesium ions to pass through biological membranes [2].”
2. “In this two-week pilot study, transdermal delivery of 56 mg Mg/day (a low dose compared with commercial transdermal Mg2+ products available) showed a larger percentage change in both serum and urinary markers from pre to post intervention compared with subjects using the placebo cream. However, based on this data from the original abstract, Kass et al. only show a slight increase of serum magnesium via transdermal magnesium-containing cream.”
3. “One of the first studies on transdermal magnesium absorption was published by the naturopathic doctor and founder of the American Holistic Medical Association Norman Shealy, M.D. Ph.D in 2000. He was an early advocate for the particular benefits of transdermal applications of magnesium [12]. Shealy argued that a magnesium deficiency can be compensated by transdermal application within 4 to 6 weeks, whereas an oral supplementation is effective only after 4 to 12 months. A full publication of this comparative study could not be found. Only an abstract for a conference was published not showing any additional data to substantiate this statement [7].”
Thanks for sharing this. I honestly can’t say since I have not spent hours researching. I did read a book on magnesium and it was quite compelling in favor of trans dermal. I doubt it can be harmful at least. It’s so hard sorting through all of the conflicting information.