FAQ
What is Magnesium Oil?
"Magnesium Oil" is a saturated magnesium chloride water solution. The magnesium chloride concentration is 31%. The solution is known as an "oil" as it feels oily, but is not actually an oil.
What are the advantages of external application of magnesium?
External application of magnesium offers the following advantages when compared to oral ingestion, such as by means of tablets, granulate or liquid form:
- No reabsorption problems in the gastro-intestinal tract
- Dosage according to individual requirements possible
- No dosage-dependent side effects such as diarrhoea
- Faster effectiveness
- Direct application to problem areas possible (e.g. in the case of cramps)
- Does not need to be ingested
Where can I get Zechstein Magnesium products?
Zechstein Magnesium Oil products are available worldwide under different brand names. In German-speaking countries the products are available in the pharmacy and in the Internet.
Can I also manufacture Magnesium Oil from the Magnesium Flakes?
It is fundamentally advised against doing that. Magnesium Flakes are obtained by heating Magnesium Oil. Producing Magnesium Oil from the Magnesium Flakes makes no sense, as complex compounds develop through the drying process, that do not dissolve again. Therefore one does not get the original quality back again.
At this point reference should be made to dubious offers in the Internet. Here, among other things, magnesium oil for self-manufacture is offered in a 1-Liter bottle. Apart from the fact, that the bottle does not contain 1,000 ml of magnesium oil, as stated on the label, rather 300 g of magnesium powder, the consumer should fill the bottle with 700 ml of water, which according to the label should then produce a 30 % magnesium chloride solution. Since in its solid form, magnesium chloride exists as magnesium chloride hexahydrate (1 molecule of magnesium chloride binds 6 molecules of water), and consists of only 47 % magnesium chloride, the rest, in other words 53 % is bonded water, after the addition of 700 ml of water this results in an approximate 10 % and not a 30 % magnesium chloride solution. This concerns a deliberate consumer deception.
Are there any studies demonstrating the effectiveness of external application of magnesium?
The study quoted most often in terms of the effectiveness of transdermal (external) magnesium application is one by Dr. Norman Shealy. "Transdermal Magnesium Therapy" 2005, Southern Medical Association, p. 18. Using measurements of the intracellular magnesium levels, Shealy demonstrated that for transdermal application the magnesium level normalises within 4 to 6 weeks when compared to oral ingestion, where the same result requires 6 to 12 months. An additional study has been performed by Watkins K. and Josling.
"A pilot study to determine the impact of transdermal magnesium treatment on serum levels and whole body CaMg ratios", The Nutrition Practitioner, Spring 2010. Based on hair analyses, a mean increase in magnesium content of 59.7% was found in 89% of subjects after a 12-week application of magnesium oil. In addition, all subjects displayed an improved calcium-magnesium ratio.
How many spray actions correspond to 400 mg magnesium?
This depends on the spray system used. Please see the recommendations on the label of the product concerned in this regard. 1 ml magnesium chloride contains 103 mg pure magnesium. Consequently, to administer 400 mg magnesium, around 4 ml magnesium chloride is required.
Assuming that 5 spray actions correspond to 1 ml magnesium chloride, a total of 20 spray actions are required to receive 400 mg pure magnesium. The dose should be split across multiple applications per day. Dosage forms
Is it possible to take an overdose of magnesium oil?
In principle not, since excess magnesium is not absorbed by the body in the first place. Persons suffering from severe kidney function disorders or cardiac conduction disorders (AV block) or a rare muscle disease, myasthenia gravis, should be careful when taking magnesium and should consult their doctor.
Magnesium oil causes a tingling sensation on my skin. Is this normal?
Persons with sensitive skin can detect a slight itchiness or tingling after application of magnesium. This is completely harmless, although it could be a little unpleasant.
The concentrated magnesium oil can be diluted with water to allow the skin to become accustomed to the application. Finished products with lower concentrations of magnesium chloride are also available. In this case, the amount of the spray action must be adapted to receive the same quantity of magnesium.
The concentration can then be gradually increased, depending on tolerance. Magnesium oil can also be washed off again after an active application time of approximately 10 minutes. Another option for magnesium substitution would be the use of a full bath or foot bath. http://www.zechstein-magnesium-oil.com/de/dosierung
Can I continue taking my magnesium tablets, although I am using magnesium oil?
This is a personal decision, and depends on how well you tolerate the oral form and whether the body can resorb sufficient magnesium via this route. The daily magnesium requirement can easily be made up from magnesium oil alone. It is possible to combine this with oral forms, however.
Must I wash magnesium oil off after application?
That is up to you. This is not necessary. However, if you prefer to wash magnesium oil off, you should wait for an active application time of at least 10 minutes to elapse in order to derive the full benefit.
Can I also ingest magnesium oil?
In principle yes, but the advantages of external application when compared to oral forms such as tablets are then no longer present. Besides which, magnesium chloride has an extremely bitter taste.
If you wish to use magnesium oil to treat the oral mucosa, you should dilute the concentrated solution. Magnesium oil can then also be reabsorbed through the oral mucosa. The digestive tract is also bypassed in this manner.