Magnesium Oil

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


Two months ago, I posted about the importance of magnesium in the diet.  It would be silly to list here again all the reasons why magnesium is needed, where we get it, and what conditions deficiencies cause. 

What is important is that for a number of people, getting adequate magnesium through food becomes difficult at times.  This can be due to age (it happens to the best of us), poor diet (as could happen post-collapse), or medications (proton pump inhibitors, among others).

Fortunately, magnesium can also be absorbed through the skin.  That's where magnesium oil comes in.  Now, the idea of obtaining magnesium through the skin shouldn't creep anyone out.  People have been doing it for thousands of years.  They went to mineral springs or applied mud packs.  More recently, people have bathed in Epsom salts.  Using magnesium oil, and calling it transdermal magnesium therapy, sounds a little more sophisticated.

Magnesium oil is used in many ways, depending on your goal.

• Spray.  It's usually applied once a day, right after a shower, before any other lotions have been used.  Some prefer to use it 30 minutes before showering.  Alternatively, it can be used at night, just before bed.  Some people favor this approach because magnesium oil can cause a bit of a burning or itching or tingling sensation, which is not noticed as one drifts off to sleep.  Because I am really deficient in magnesium, I sometimes apply it twice per day, once in the morning 30-60 minutes before showering, and then at bedtime as well.  
• Bath.  For those who are really bothered by the direct application of magnesium oil to the skin, a bath in diluted magnesium oil is a great alternative.  The spray and the bath are best for those who need to increase the magnesium levels in their body.
• Massage and sports rub.  These deliver the magnesium to the tissues that need it most, and the massage helps work the magnesium into the skin and bloodstream faster so it can do its job.
• Foot soaks.  Makes the feet feel really nice and refreshed.

Perhaps, by now, your curiosity is piqued.  What's the difference between Epsom salts and magnesium oil?  Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate and are drying to the skin.  Magnesium oil is made from magnesium chloride and may feel somewhat oily.  Magnesium chloride is more easily absorbed by the skin.  Some people question why it's called magnesium oil, especially when they say it doesn't feel oily.  Well, after having made a few batches, I can say that some batches feel more oily than others.

If you're interested in giving this a try, you can get your magnesium chloride flakes on Amazon or at a health food store.

Magnesium Oil

• 1/2 cup magnesium chloride flakes
• 1/2 cup filtered or distilled water
• 10 drops essential oil, optional*

Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat.  Add magnesium chloride flakes and stir until the flakes are completely dissolved.  Then add essential oil, if desired.  Let cool and then store in a spray bottle.   Spray and massage in daily to increase magnesium levels in the body.

*Use lavender essential oil if one of your reasons for applying magnesium oil is to sleep better (and then use the oil at night).  Use wintergreen essential oil if you're using this for an after-workout massage or for sore muscles.

Magnesium is frequently used to treat a wide variety of conditions, often in the form of injections, which may not be readily available post-collapse.  While not as rapid as getting into the bloodstream as injections, transdermal application of magnesium is faster than taking tablets or capsules.  And it works even when a patient cannot take tablets.  It's commonly used in patients following heart attacks and strokes and may be used to prevent brain damage in premature infants.  It may help prevent seizures in pregnant women with preeclampsia or eclampsia.  And it may help reduce or prevent morning sickness, PMS, and osteoporosis.  It also has been shown to help lower blood pressure.


Cautions:  Magnesium oil may cause a burning or tingling sensation in some individuals, but this usually goes away after the first few uses.  As with most any alternative or conventional approach to resolving an issue with the body, there is often that group of people for whom the solution has an opposite effect, and in this case, magnesium sometimes has a stimulating effect.  For this group of people, taking magnesium during the day is better than at bedtime.  Do not apply magnesium oil to freshly shaved skin. (Magnesium oil is a good deodorant, but it really burns on freshly shaved skin, like armpits.)

Contraindications:  Persons with low blood pressure should exercise extreme caution using magnesium in any form.  The same goes for those taking anti-anxiety medications or people with sensitive skin or impaired kidney function.

Links to related posts:
Magnesium
Antacids and proton pump inhibitors

For further information:
https://draxe.com/magnesium-oil/
http://samarahealingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Achieving-Optimal-Health-through-Transdermal-Magnesium-Therapy.pdf
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
https://drsircus.com/magnesium/uses-of-magnesium-oil/

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com  

Alternative Medicine--Peppermint-Lavender-Rosemary Headache Balm

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

A lot of what I wish to learn about, and then eventually write about (if it's something that actually works), is what alternative medicine and remedies we will need to have for when there is no more conventional medicine--what can individuals do when there is no more insulin, no more thyroid medication, no surgery for appendicitis, no antibiotics.

But I also look at alternative medicine from a preventative point of view and trying to avoid needing conventional treatments.  I have two children who get ulcers, so they need to avoid taking aspirin whenever possible.  And I have a daughter who gets excruciating headaches, but they don't quite qualify as migraines.  Unfortunately, her supplies of sumatriptan and amitriptylline are limited, and building a TEOTWAWKI-type stockpile hasn't gone well, so those meds need to be conserved as much as possible.  She is fortunate in that if she takes something early, she can nip the headache in the bud and prevent a full-blown monster from ruining her day.  But because two of her siblings are susceptible to ulcers, it's probably a good idea for her to avoid aspirin as well, even though it works beautifully, especially when combined with caffeine and acetaminophen (like in Vanquish or Excedrin Extra Strength).

So it's a situation where we are turning to essential oils to help her.  Some essential oils can be irritating if applied directly to the skin, so they need to be diluted in a carrier oil.  Because Becky is in school all day, she needs something she can carry easily with her and that isn't going to make a mess in her bag if it gets too warm.  Some people like using little metal lip balm tins; I prefer the plastic lip balm tubes.  I think they're a little more leak-proof, just in case the balm gets a little too warm and starts softening.

Peppermint-Lavender-Rosemary Headache Balm

1/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon beeswax
18 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
12 drops rosemary essential oil

Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler on the stove.  When the beeswax is completely dissolved in the coconut oil, remove from heat.  Stir in peppermint, lavender, and rosemary essential oils.  Carefully pour into lip balm tubes.

Apply to temples, forehead, and back of neck at the first sign of a headache.  

Note.  Beeswax is only used as a firming agent.  If you do not have beeswax, this balm can be made with just coconut oil, but it will have a much lower melting point.

Links to related posts:
Peppermint
Rosemary
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Coconut Oil in Alternative Medicine
Coconut Oil in Cooking  

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com 

The Medicinal Uses of Peppermint

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.



Peppermint has flavored or scented gums and candies, desserts, tea, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo, and probably loads of other products forever.  Have you ever noticed how many cold and cough and nausea remedies (Pepto-Bismol, Vicks, NyQuil, Listerine, etc.) contain menthol--one of the primary active constituents in peppermint?  There's a reason for that--it works!  Peppermint is in the same plant family as lavender, spearmint, catmint (catnip), and rosemary.  It's one of the easiest medicinal plants to grow; in fact, some would say that it is too easy.  If it is not well contained, it will spread everywhere.

Peppermint leaves and flowers are best harvested just after flowers begin to emerge. 

Numerous studies have shown that peppermint is antibacterial, insecticidal, and anti-parasitic.  Historically, peppermint has been used to treat not only gastrointestinal upsets, but also tuberculosis, colds, and headaches.  Fresh peppermint leaves are chewed to freshen breath; however, peppermint is most frequently taken in the form of tea or essential oils.

Fresh leaves.  Chewing on fresh peppermint leaves freshens the breath because the peppermint leaves possess antibacterial properties, i.e., they kill bacteria.  Bacteria produce a bad smell.  So bad breath goes away when you chew peppermint leaves.

Infusion.  Steep peppermint leaves or a tea bag in boiling water for 5-10 minutes.  Add sugar or honey to taste.  Drink peppermint tea to:

• relieve headaches and migraines;
• relieve nausea and vomiting;
• relieve menstrual and muscle cramps;
• soothe the respiratory tract and ease cold and flu congestion;
• promote sleep;
• relieve bloating, indigestion, and ulcers due to H. pylori;
• reduce fever.

Essential oil:  Sometimes you need the medicinal effects of peppermint to be a bit more concentrated; after all, you can only drink so much tea.  And that's where essential oils come in.  As essential oils are going to be rather difficult to produce in a collapsed society, plan to acquire a good supply of this valuable item from a reputable source.

• Aromatherapy/steam inhalation:
• stress and nausea--put several drops in a diffuser;
• colds and influenza, for clearing airways--add 10-12 drops to a pot of boiling water and then inhale the steam for 10 minutes;
• though not as effective, in the above situations if unable to use a diffuser, inhale directly from the bottle or rub a drop or two of oil onto your wrists and inhale as needed;
• tuberculosis--as an adjunct to other therapies, put 10 drops in a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam for 20 minutes each day for 2 months.
• Externally:
• nausea--mix 1-2 drops with 1-2 drops of carrier oil and rub behind the ears to prevent nausea;
• tension headache--mix a 1-2 drops into 2 drops of carrier oil and rub a drop on the temples for relief;
• upset stomach and heartburn--dilute 2-3 drops in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage into the stomach;
• colds--dilute 2-3 drops in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage into the chest;
• diabetic neuropathy--dilute a few drops in a carrier oil and massage into the afflicted areas.
• Internally:  Peppermint essential oil is generally recognized as safe when taken internally in very small doses, about 2-3 drops in a carrier oil or in water.
• heartburn, upset stomach--1 drop of essential oil, 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water and drink;
• asthma, seasonal allergies--2 drops in a glass of water;
• sore throat gargle--2 drops in a glass of warm water to soothe the pain of a sore throat and to kill bacteria.  For added relief, add in 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• irritable bowel syndrome.  For those concerned about nuclear radiation exposure, a few studies have shown that peppermint oil may provide some protection from radiation.  So far, the studies have been limited to mice and have shown that the peppermint needs to be taken before exposure to radiation. 

Contraindications for internal use:  Because peppermint can relax the sphincter muscle between the stomach and esophagus, it should not be used by people with GERD.  Do not use if you are taking iron supplements or cyclosporins, if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, or if you are taking medications to reduce or suppress stomach acid production.  Do not use in children under the age of 12.  (Children may use spearmint the same as adults use peppermint;  spearmint is a close relative, but much gentler in its actions.)

Cautions:  Doses above 500 mg can irritate the mouth and stomach and produce a heartburn-like reaction.  May cause skin rashes, allergic reaction, or other irritation.

Other uses:  Peppermint essential oil is used in conjunction with other oils as a mosquito repellent and a pesticide.  Interestingly, it is also used in plumbing and construction to test for leaks by detecting the odor.

Links to related posts:
The Herbal Medic (book review)  
The HomeGrown Herbalist (book review)   
Anti-Nausea Medications   
Spearmint   
Peppermint-Lavender-Rosemary Headache Balm   
Catnip   

For further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16121521 (general review of published articles)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29372567 (overall review of published articles)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23011739 (protection from gamma radiation)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13678235 (virucidal effect on herpes simplex 1 and 2)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23416804 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26319955 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3403674/ (infantile colic)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28562281 (functional abdominal pain in children)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17427617 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17653649 (gastric emptying; gastroparesis)
https://draxe.com/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits/
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/14/peppermint-health-benefits.aspx\
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits-effects#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12048423 (postherpetic neuralgia)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17128800 (tuberculosis)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11201253 (hay fever)


© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com
  

15 november 2020

15 january 2024