Magnesium is one of those minerals that seem to slip through the cracks when we think of our health. It plays such an important role in the human body; however, most Americans are deficient and go unaware of this!
The depletion of this mineral comes from lifestyle choices, nutritional habits, lack of self-care, and too many pesticides in foods. Plus, magnesium is removed by how we filtrate our water! Go figure….
The good thing is that this can be corrected by using magnesium supplements such as magnesium flakes!
That’s one thing I love about the human body. It’s resilient, smart, longsuffering, and always fighting for another day and another chance for us to get it right. Thank you, body!
Even the slightest deficiency in magnesium can cause a host of ailments and uncomfortable symptoms.
I have found that using magnesium flakes to make your own magnesium oil or magnesium spray is the quickest way to replenish the low magnesium levels in your body.
Magnesium flakes are cheap, versatile, easy to use, and a healthy alternative for different ailments.
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What is Magnesium
Before we get into the nitty-gritty about magnesium flakes, we must first understand what magnesium is.
Magnesium is a key mineral in the body that is responsible for over 300 enzyme reactions and functions. Learn more about enzymes here.
Studies show that most Americans are deficient in this mineral, so considering incorporating a magnesium supplement (magnesium flakes) in your daily routine can prove to be beneficial to your overall health.
What is magnesium flakes
Magnesium flakes are dried highly concentrated sheets of magnesium chloride that have been heated and cooled down to make “flakes”. Magnesium flakes are the foundation for any good magnesium oil or magnesium spray.
Benefits of magnesium flakes for women
Magnesium in general has a range of benefits from relieving insomnia, muscle spasms, tension, headaches, and stress.
Magnesium flakes: Benefits for women
- Reduce PMS symptoms
- Treatment for fibromyalgia pain in women
- Spot treatment for acne
- Can help with hair follicle growth
- Helps with anxiety and depression – check out my article on what to do when you feel sad (4 safe & effective tips) here.
- Helps in workout recovery
- Improves overall sleep patterns – check out my article on How to use magnesium oil for sleep here.
Side Effects of Magnesium Flakes
In general, magnesium flakes do not have major or harmful side effects.
It is important to understand that using magnesium flakes to make your own magnesium oil or spray can have extremely different side effects from that of an oral magnesium supplement.
There is no scientific evidence; however, it seems that magnesium flakes do not pose the common side effects that an oral magnesium supplement will.
Common side effects of an oral magnesium supplement:
- Nausea
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
If you’re unsure, you can always test a small area of your skin when first incorporating magnesium oil or spray. This way you can be sure if your body will have any adverse effects from it.
How to use magnesium flakes
DIY Magnesium Oil or Magnesium Spray Recipe
In order to make your own DIY magnesium oil or spray you will need the following:
- ½ cup Magnesium chloride flakes
- ½ distilled water
- Glass bottle/spray bottle or container for storage
- A pot for boiling
- Bowl for mixing (glass preferably)
- Measuring spoons and/or measuring cup
- Lavender essential oil (optional)
- Click here for doTERRA lavender essential oil. You can also use cedarwood and frankincense.
- Adding lavender essential oils add an additional bonus to enhance a good night’s rest.
Instructions for your DIY magnesium oil/spray:
- once you have all the items listed above, begin with the first step which is to boil your distilled water.
- Next, take your magnesium chloride flakes and place them in a bowl.
- Once the water has reached a boil, pour the boiling water over the magnesium chloride flakes.
- Allow the mixture to dissolve, giving it a stir as it dissolves.
- Add in your doTERRA lavender essential oil (between 5-10 drops)
- Allow mixture to cool
- Once cooled, you should have an oil like mixture.
- Store in a glass container with a lid OR a glass spray bottle if you desire the spray effect.
Take away: Using a spray bottle makes the application process a little bit cleaner than using the magnesium oil straight out of the jar or container.
The Best Place to Put Magnesium Oil and How Often
After you have turned your magnesium flakes into magnesium oil or magnesium spray, you want to make sure you apply it right for maximum benefits, right!? I know I would!
One of the best places to put magnesium oil/spray is topically on the bottom of your feet after a warm bath or shower.
Using magnesium oil topically is the quickest and safest way to raise your intracellular magnesium levels. After all, your skin is your largest organ.
Topical Application of Magnesium oil or Magnesium Spray
- After you get out of the bath or shower (this is optional, yet highly recommended)
- Apply the magnesium oil OR magnesium spray to the bottom of both of your feet
- If you’re using a standard bottle application, use about a quarter size of oil (for each foot) and rub it on the soles of your feet. Trust me, magnesium flakes turned into magnesium oil go a long way! The oil can feel a bit sticky, so I would recommend washing your hands after your application.
- If you’re using the spray application, spray until the soles of your feet have been fully covered (every area touched by the magnesium oil). I would say about 5 sprays per foot (depending on your bottle). Remember a lot goes a long way, so you don’t need much to cover the surface area.
Once you have applied your magnesium oil, allow it to air dry! There is no need to rinse off the magnesium oil as it has already been diluted with distilled water.
Tip: My preference is to use my magnesium oil at night as a sleeping aid. After application, my favorite thing to do is put on some cozy socks and get into bed. I have used magnesium oil during the day, but received better results when I use it at night as a natural remedy for insomnia.
Check out my favorite magnesium oil here by Health and Wisdom. It’s a USP grade and can be used without dilution which is a plus for me! When I’m not making my own, this is my go to for sure!
How Often Should I Use Magnesium oil
You are free to use magnesium oil daily. Remember, the biggest area that is affected when you have a magnesium deficiency is your sleep!
You will get to a point where you can tell that you need some extra assistance when you’re sleeping patterns are thrown off or interrupted in any way.
Once you start your magnesium oil regimen you will use it more often. After a while, you will notice a normal use of 2-3 times per week.
Be mindful here, you don’t want to over or underuse magnesium oil.
Keep in mind the following:
- Aim for no more than 350 milligrams per day when taking an oral dose of magnesium. According to Healthline, For adults and children older than 9, the upper limit recommended is 350 milligrams.
- Talk to your health care provider if you are taking any medications as magnesium can interfere with certain medications, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications.
How to Store Magnesium Oil or Magnesium Spray
Storing magnesium oil is a cinch! Plus, it can last up to 6 months when stored at room temperature.
I keep my magnesium oil on my nightstand since I chose to use it as a sleeping aid.
It is best to be stored in a glass container. We all know that plastic is not our friend nor a friend to the earth, so I try and use glass whenever I possibly can.
If you must use a plastic container, make sure it’s BPA-free!
You won’t use your entire supply of magnesium flakes, so you can just keep those in the original container until you make your next batch.
Magnesium Flakes for You to Try + Supplement Recommendations
1. Life-flo, Pure Magnesium Flakes, Magnesium Chloride Brine
These magnesium flakes are highly-concentrated crystals of magnesium chloride sourced from the ancient Zechstein seabed in the Netherlands—nothing added and nothing removed. The magnesium flakes are extremely pure because the seabed lies 1,600 to 2,000 meters beneath the surface of the earth where it has been protected.
Click here to check out these magnesium flakes
2. Now Foods, Solutions, Magnesium Flakes, 100% Pure, 3.37 lbs
This brand is derived from the ancient Zechstein seabed in the Netherlands, one of the world’s purest remaining subterranean mineral sources. These pure magnesium flakes have traditionally been used to improve to improve skin hydration, and make a soothing addition to bath water and foot baths.
Click here to check out these magnesium flakes
3. Health and Wisdom, Magnesium Oil, 16 fl oz
This is by far my favorite magnesium oil! I have been using it for years and it has not failed me yet! It’s USP grade and can be used with dilution. I highly recommend this product if you want to try it out before making you own.
Click here to try out this magnesium oil
4. Health and Wisdom, Magnesium Bath Crystals, .75 lbs
This is a great option if you want to use magnesium for soaking in tub!
Magnesium Bath Crystals are a highly concentrated form of Magnesium Oil. Soaking in Magnesium Bath Crystals relaxes nerves, removes everyday stress, relieves tension, “jump starts” enzymes important for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and more including aiding to relieve back pain, muscle pain, and arthritic pain and stiffness!
Click here to check out these magnesium bath crystals
There you have it my friend! I’m so excited for you to make your own DIY Magnesium oil Recipe. Remember you can use it in a standard bottle or turn it into a magnesium oil spray just by switching your container of choice.
Leave a comment and let me know if you’ve ever attempted to make your own DIY Magnesium oil. If so, how did it work for you?
Again, magnesium flakes are one of my favorite things to use to enhance my sleep. Add in some essential oils that are designed for rest, and forget about it! Lol You’ll soon be off to a good night’s sleep.
A bonus is it helps us, women, when we are on our monthly cycles. Lord knows we sometimes need all the assistance we can get 😊.
Lastly, remember to listen to your body, apply it topically to the bottom of your feet, and use it at night after a hot shower or bath. happy healing my friend!
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