Magnesium Body Butter Recipe For Relaxation and Sleep (2024)

Magnesium Body Butter Recipe For Relaxation and Sleep (1)

So this thing is happening, and it aches and fills me with joy and makes me wish for a pause button at the same time. One minute I’m standing in a grocery store aisle nodding my head to a “those were the days” comment – while mentally calculatinghow much longer I can shop before a toddlerpocalypse, of course – and the next I’m standing behind my daughter as she zooms in to take this photo . . .

Magnesium Body Butter Recipe For Relaxation and Sleep (2)

. . . for a project she’s working on. And my boys? I’m savoring snuggles with them while trying not to sustainLego-induced foot trauma. (This is real life after all.)

So yeah, they’re growing up, and with that comes some not so fun territory. I’ve written about natural remedies for growing pains before, but today I wanted to share something that we’ve recently found helpful in addition to those suggestions. It’s a magnesium oil rub with essential oils that support muscle relaxation.

Magnesium – both in supplement form and topically applied – transformed my sleep years ago when I discovered it eliminated my restless leg symptoms. It’s also been very helpful when my littles have achy legs at night.

While there is no agreed upon cause of growing pains, one common theory is that it’s often due to the inability of ligaments and muscles to keep up with rapid bone growth.

As children are growing fairly rapidly, their muscles, tendons, and ligaments are growing as well,” says Jason Homme, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Those body parts “may not be growing at the same pace, which can cause protesting a little bit.” (source)

My children’s pediatrician shares this view, and suggested magnesium as one of the things that may be helpful.

Magnesium Body Butter Ingredients

Magnesium Body Butter Recipe For Relaxation and Sleep (3)

This recipe makes a wonderful bedtime rub for achy or restless legs, and it’s incredibly easy to make. Below is a breakdown of what I used (and why).

First, though, if you’d rather not make your own, I recently discovered this magnesium lotion made with good quality ingredients like organic shea butter, argan seed oil, prickly pear seed oil and high potency transdermal magnesium.

Now, back to the ingredients . . .

Magnesium

There’s a reason magnesium is often called the magic mineral. As I mentioned in this post on science-backed tips for deeper, more restful sleep, itfuels about 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Some of those reactions help to relax achy muscles, mitigate the effects of stress,and calmthe mind by supportingthe production of theneurotransmitter GABA.

Magnesium deficiency is very common, and unfortunately not all oral magnesium supplements are well-absorbed via the digestive tract.(source 1,source 2) There are some that are, which I’ve covered in this post on magnesium supplements, but another way to improve levels is through dermal (skin) absorption.

One way is through epsom salt or magnesium chloride baths. Another option is magnesium oil– which is not actually an oil buta mixture of magnesium chloride and water that feels oily to the touch. Magnesium oil is well-absorbed and dries without any greasiness. If you do as much laundry as I do, I’m guessing the last thing you want to deal with are oily sheets after the application of an essential oil rub diluted in a carrier oil. (Magnesium oil makes a great deodorant too, but that’s another post.)

A quick note on absorption: Because Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and a little calcium are essential for magnesium absorption, you’ll want to make sure your little one is gettingadequate amounts of those as well. According to Kristen Michaelis’ book, Beautiful Babies, magnesium levels show more improvement when Vitamin Dis obtained through sun exposure rather than oral supplements.

Essential Oils

Several essential oils are helpful for relaxation, and Plant Therapy (one of the essential oil companies I purchase from) even makes a Growing Pains blend. I’ve already shared with you a list of essential oils that are considered safe for children and general dilution guidelines, however for this recipe Clinical Aromatherapist Lea Harris recommends a higher than normal dilution ratio.

Lea, who isthe founder of Using Essential Oils Safely and the Using Essential Oils Safely community on Facebook, suggests a 2% dilution for under 5 (or at least 1%) and then 3-5% for the over age 6 crowd.

In terms of specific essential oils, here are the ones I think are bestfor this recipe:

One more thing before we get to the recipe. While growing pains are a normal (though hopefully occasional) part of childhood,there are other possible causes of leg discomfort.According to the Mayo Clinic, you should consult “your child’s doctor if you’re concerned about your child’s leg pain or the pain is:

  • Persistent
  • Still present in the morning
  • Severe enough to interfere with your child’s normal activities
  • Located in the joints
  • Associated with an injury
  • Accompanied by other signs or symptoms, such as swelling, redness, tenderness, fever, limping, rash, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue” (source)

Coconut Oil and Beeswax

For some people, magnesium oil can cause an itchy or uncomfortable sensation when applied in undiluted form. For that reason, I’ve blended it with coconut oil and beeswax to ensure that it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.

Magnesium Body Butter Recipe For Relaxation and Sleep (4)

How To Make Magnesium Body Butter

For this recipe, you will need an immersion blender and a pint-sized (16 ounce) mason jar.

Ingredients

To Make

Place magnesium oil, coconut oil and beeswax pearls in a pan and melt over low heat. Pour mixture into a mason jar and allow to separate (this should take about 30-45 seconds). Place your immersion blender at the very bottom of the jar, then slowly pull it up after about 30 seconds. Starting at the bottom helps to create an emulsion, which is a way of suspending oil in water so that they mix together. If you’re new to this process and want to see it – it’s the exact same technique demonstrated in my video about making lotion.

Once you’ve blended the body butter, add the essential oils and blend again. Set your timer for 7 minutes and blend one more time before transferring the body butter to a small jar for storage.

To Use

Massage a small amount into skin. I aim for daily application, although it doesn’t always happen due to busy schedules, etc.

Shelf Life

In general when you mix water and oil, you reduce the shelf life of a personal care product. However, in this case the water is mixed with a very high concentration of magnesium, which has natural antimicrobial properties. (source) One well-known example of this is the Dead Sea. (source) I personally try to use mine within 3-4 months, which is pretty easy to do with a batch this size.

Storage

Storein a cool, dark cabinet to prevent premature oxidation of the essential oils.

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Magnesium Body Butter Recipe For Relaxation and Sleep (2024)

FAQs

How do you make magnesium butter for sleep? ›

How to make magnesium body butter?
  1. use a double boiler to melt 1/2 cup cocoa butter.
  2. add 1/2 cup of coconut oil and melt.
  3. add 1/4 cup magnesium oil (click here to find where to buy my favorite magnesium oil)
  4. cool for 30-60 minutes in refrigerator (until it is cooled completely and solid all the way through)

Does magnesium body butter help you sleep? ›

Here the magnesium can help relax muscles and relieve muscle cramps. This in turn will help you unwind and fall asleep easier. What's more, some magnesium butters contain oils like lavender. Lavender not only smells heavenly, but also contributes to a better quality of sleep - according to a 2015 study.

How do you make magnesium sleep balm? ›

DIY Magnesium Balm
  1. 1/4 cup magnesium oil.
  2. 1/4 cup avocado oil.
  3. 1/4 cup shea butter.
  4. 1 tablespoon beeswax.
  5. 3-5 drops leucidal liquid radish root (A natural preservative found here.)
  6. 5-10 drops essential oil of choice (lavender and/or Roman chamomile work well)
Aug 12, 2016

What is the best magnesium lotion for sleep? ›

Best magnesium cream for sleep: Dr. Teal's, Melatonin Sleep Lotion, $8. Best high-potency magnesium lotion: Mo' Maggie, Magnesium Lotion, $19. Best magnesium lotion for pregnancy: 8 Sheep Organics, Sleepy Body Lotion, $29 to $39.

Can I make my own magnesium cream? ›

Whipped Magnesium Cream
  1. 80 g magnesium chloride flakes.
  2. 30 g hot water (see recipe notes)
  3. 70 g coconut oil (the type that solidifies)
  4. 50 g carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil and sweet almond oil are popular choices)
  5. 40 g shea butter.
  6. 30 g beeswax pellets.
  7. 20 g evening primrose oil.
  8. 10 g vitamin E oil.

How do you make topical magnesium? ›

1) Boil distilled water. 2) Place magnesium flakes in a glass bowl, and pour over boiling distilled water. Stir until dissolved. 3) Cool completely before adding to spray bottle.

Where do you apply magnesium body butter? ›

Apply anywhere on the body avoiding delicate areas such as the eyes. Concentrate on joints, muscles and areas of concern. Reapply whenever needed.

Can I use too much magnesium lotion? ›

Magnesium may cause an itch because of the absorption dynamics, applying too much product per area, or applying the product directly over broken skin. It's never an allergic reaction. Again, suffering from side-effects due to severe overdose of magnesium is extremely rare in individuals with healthy kidneys.

Where is the best place to put magnesium lotion? ›

Where is the best place to apply magnesium oil? Most people spray it on their arms, legs, feet, and/or stomach. Some people with specific issues like leg or muscle cramps will spray and massage it onto that part of their body. We recommend gently massaging it into your skin.

How do I start calming magnesium? ›

To help with magnesium deficiency, start with a dose of Natural Calm at the lower end of the range for your age and stage and gradually increase. *Natural Calm Kids Calm is the same formula and concentration, but includes dosing by age on the label, for your convenience.

Can you mix magnesium oil with lotion? ›

This beneficial mineral is easily absorbed by the skin, making it a wonderful addition to lotions, creams, body sprays, and bath products. This super quick magnesium lotion recipe is so easy that it really does feel like cheating.

Can you rub magnesium on your skin? ›

But magnesium isn't only ingested—magnesium oil can be applied topically whether it's rubbed onto the skin or sprayed. To make magnesium oil, magnesium chloride flakes are combined with water. This creates an oily liquid. However, research is limited on magnesium oil and its effectiveness.

What are 3 deficiency symptoms of magnesium? ›

Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur [1,2].

What is the best magnesium for anxiety and insomnia? ›

Magnesium Glycinate

Glycine is an essential amino acid that has important neurotransmitter functions in the brain. Glycine supplementation can improve the quality of sleep, making this form of magnesium a good choice for those with insomnia.

What is the new magnesium for sleep? ›

Magnesium glycinate: Research has found magnesium glycinate helps treat depression symptoms, which might include trouble sleeping. Your body might also more easily absorb this type than others since it's highly bioavailable. Easy absorption typically results in few side effects.

How much magnesium do I need to fall asleep? ›

Recommendations for the proper dosage of magnesium to take before bed vary, and they are often slightly higher for men than women. For the most part, something in the range of 200-350 milligrams is the suggested amount. Taking too much magnesium can cause the following: Cramping.

How quickly does magnesium put you to sleep? ›

For anyone struggling with sleep wanting to give the supplement a try, its best to take it about 30 minutes before bed. It's also worth noting that there are many forms of magnesium, and some are thought to contribute to a restful night's sleep more than others.

Why do you put magnesium butter on your feet? ›

It can help fight against fungal infections and reduce odour. Magnesium is also a great exfoliator, smoothing skin for softer feet.

Where do you put magnesium for sleep? ›

If your sleep is disrupted, apply 2 – 3 sprays of Magnesium Sleep Body Spray direction to the areas of concern (often the calf or the feet) and massage in. For severe, restlessness, Magnesium Sleep Body Spray can be combined with Magnesium Sleep Flakes and Magnesium Sleep Lotion to build the perfect pre-sleep routine.

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