Magnesium Benefits: 5 Things to Know About This Everyday Mineral
Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash
Magnesium comes up a lot in wellness conversations, from food lists to bath salts and bedtime creams. Here are five simple things to know about this everyday mineral, and how we use it in the lavender magnesium products we make on our farm in the Waikato.
1. What Magnesium Is
Magnesium is a mineral your body uses every day. It is involved in muscle and nerve function, turning food into energy, and keeping bones healthy. Most people get the magnesium they need from a varied diet.
2. Where to Find It in Food
Good everyday food sources of magnesium include:
- Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, cashews and pumpkin seeds
- Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and silverbeet
- Legumes, such as beans, lentils and chickpeas
- Whole grains and tofu
Smaller amounts are also found in meat and fish.
3. Thinking About Supplements? Talk to Your Doctor First
If you are wondering whether you get enough magnesium, a doctor can check and advise you. Magnesium supplements can interact with some medicines, so if you take prescription medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before adding magnesium or any herbal supplement to your routine.
4. Magnesium on Your Skin
Magnesium oils, creams and bath salts are popular in evening routines. Researchers are still studying how much magnesium passes through the skin, so we don't make claims about absorption. We make our magnesium products for a relaxing massage or soak, with the fresh scent of the lavender oil we distil on our farm.
5. A Simple Magnesium Evening Routine
Here is how we like to use magnesium skincare at the end of the day:
- A warm soak: add a handful of Epsom salt bath salts (Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate) to a warm bath, such as our Lavender Bath Salts.
- A quick spray: mist our Lavender Magnesium Oil Spray onto your legs and feet and massage it in.
- A bedtime massage: massage a little Magnesium Sleep Cream onto your neck and shoulders before bed, or use our Lavender Magnesium Body Butter on dry elbows, knees and legs.
Magnesium oil can tingle on some skin. Patch test first, and avoid freshly shaved or broken skin.
Our magnesium products are skincare, not medicines, and are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any medical condition. If you have a health concern, are pregnant or take medication, please talk to a qualified healthcare professional.
Lavender Backyard Garden makes its magnesium oil spray, sleep cream and body butter with lavender essential oil from our own farm, and our bath salts with Epsom and Himalayan salts.
