Why You Need My Handmade Artisan 100% Organic Calming Magnesium Balm with Lavender, Hops and Passion Flower in Your Life!

My delightful homemade magnesium balm!

Magnesium is one of the body’s most depleted minerals. This soothing balm bypasses the digestive system (where magnesium is not always absorbed so well) and is absorbed transdermally directly into the bloodstream. While a magnesium or Epsom salt bath can be a lovely way to get magnesium into us, a bath or the time is not always available. Our next option is Magnesium oil but this often causes itchiness when applied to the skin, however my calming Magnesium balm is moisturising and can be used at any time of day, but is particularly useful when applied at night, to aid restful sleep.

Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning of the liver and the entire body. It's required for glutathione production (the liver's master antioxidant) and also supports hormonal balance, energy creationa nd tissue repair. It truly is a foundational element for cellular function and terrain health. Without it, the body striggles to maintain balance, detoxify efficinetly and regenerate.

Scarily, 80% of the population is deficient in magnesium!

Let's Dig Into Magnesium's Benefits?

Supports Hundreds of Biochemical Reactions

Magnesium is critical for energy production in cells, protein synthesis, DNA and RNA repair, muscle health, contraction and relaxation and nervous system health and regulation. More than 900 enzyme reactions are brought about by magnesium.

Magnesium helps with managing blood pressure, blood sugar, transportation of nutrients, enhancing immunity, and smooth  nerve and muscle transmission.

About 60% of the body’s magnesium is stored in bones with the rest in muscles, blood and tissues.

A magnesium deficiency can cause many issues and may be at the root of a number of conditions. Deficiency is caused because our food is not as nutritious as it used to be because of non-organic and mono-cropping farming methods and the use of chemicals, plus also the consumption of processed foods. Fon;t forget also that toxins and stress often 'burn' through minerals in our body, leavingus deficient.

Magnesium Levels Decline with Age

As we age,  there is decreased absorption and storage and increased excretion through urine. Food is often not enough for fulfilling our magnesium needs, hence extra supplements are required. With progressing age, there is often a decline of appetite, which eventually affects the level of magnesium in the body. Aging causes many significant changes in the body that lead to a deficiency of magnesium.

The main three reasons that magnesium levels go down with aging are the reduction in storage of magnesium in bones, the decreased absorption of nutrients and minerals in the intestines, and increased loss of magnesium in urine. Certain drugs also result in the depletion of magnesium like diuretics, antibiotics, drugs used to treat osteoporosis (interesting as magnesium is needed to create bone), and proton pump inhibitors which are used for GERD, excess stomach acid, peptic ulcers and H Pylori infections. All these things cause increased requirements of magnesium in elderly people.

All these things can bring the magnesium level to borderline or deficient. As magnesium levels deplete, many pathological changes happen in the body. Things like cardiac troubles, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and arrhythmias. As magnesium prevents calcification, its deficiency leads to calcium stone formation in the body. Hypomagnesemia can prove to be fatal in some cases if not treated in a timely manner.

Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

When there is a deficiency of magnesium, the body shows some signs and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe:

• Feeling of exhaustion and weakness

• Tremors and twitches especially in the muscles of the face

• Frequent headaches

• Anxiety and irritability

• Vertigo and dizziness

• Difficulty in sleeping

• Continuous ringing sound in ears

• Muscle cramps or spasms

• High blood pressure

• Chronic feeling of fatigue

• Depression

• Nauseous feeling and vomiting

• Sudden changes in the personality

• Constipation

• Contractions of muscles (cramps)

• Epilepsy or seizures

• Abnormality in the heart rhythm

  
  

Magnesium in Food

It’s important to get most of your magnesium through whole food sources. Choose organic whenever possible.

Magnesium is found in nuts (almonds, cashews, brazils, peanuts), seeds, legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, yogurts, and dairy (choose raw of possible), soy products, brown rice, millet, fruit, dark chocolate, avocados, fatty fish.

Supplementation

Supplementing with magnesium orally can be useful however often this mineral is not well absorbed through the intestines and that is when topical magnesium can really come into its own.

So let’s dig a little deeper into how this little balm can help you!

Promotes Heart Health

Magnesium helps maintain a healthy heart rhythm and regulates blood pressure. Higher magnesium intake is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and sudden cardiac death. It also helps improve cholesterol profiles in some cases.

Regulates Blood Sugar and May Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Magnesium improves insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. People with a higher magnesium intake have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and supplementing can improve blood sugar levels in at risk individuals.

Supports Bone Health

Magnesium is vital for bone formation and maintaining bone density. Higher magnesium intake is associated with increased bone mineral density and a lower risk of osteoporosis and fractures, particularly in the hip and femoral neck (thigh bone).

Reduces Inflammation

Low magnesium levels are linked to increased inflammation, which contributes to chronic diseases and ageing. Magnesium supplementation lowers inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6. Magnesium reduces muscle soreness after exercise and fosters recovery, enabling optimised performance and reduced fatigue.

May Prevent and Relieve Migraines

People with migraines often have low magnesium levels. Magnesium supplements have been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and may provide faster relief during acute attacks.

May Improve Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms

Magnesium supplementation can reduce PMS symptoms like bloating, depression and anxiety, possibly due to fluctuating magnesium levels during the menstrual cycle.

Supports Sleep & Stress Management

Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters that calm the nervous system, promoting deep restorative sleep. It also helps reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, aiding in stress management. This is why my balm is best used in the evening before bedtime.

Regulates Muscle Contraction and Relaxation

Magnesium acts as a natural calcium blocker in muscle cells. Calcium binds to proteins in muscle fibres, such as troponin C and myosin, to trigger contraction, while magnesium competes with calcium for these binding sites to promote muscle relaxation. The balance ensures muscles contract and relax properly. When magnesium levels are low, muscles can contract excessively, leading to cramps, spasms and stiffness. Supplementation has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of cramps, especially in athletes and older adults prone to nocturnal leg cramps.

Energy Production For Muscle Function

Magnesium is essential for the production and utilisation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy molecule in cells. Since muscle contraction requires energy, adequate magnesium supports efficient ATP metabolism and thus muscle performance and endurance.

Maintenance of Electrolyte Balance and Nerve Muscle Communication

Magnesium helps regulate the movements of ions such as calcium, sodium and potassium across muscle cell membranes. This ion transport is vital for transmitting nerve impulses that control muscle contractions and co-ordination. Magnesium deficiency can impair nerve signalling and muscle function, causing weakness or poor coordination.

Support For Muscle Mass and Strength

Studies indicate that magnesium supplementation can improve muscle mass respiratory muscle strength and overall muscle function, particularly in individuals with magnesium deficiency or neuromuscular conditions.

Cardiovascular Muscle Support

Magnesium also helps regulate contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle by balancing calcium's effects, supporting a healthy heartbeat and blood flow to muscles during exercise.

Summary

In conclusion, magnesium is vital for healthy muscle function by regulating contraction and relaxation cycles, supporting energy production, maintaining electrolyte and nerve signaling balance, reducing cramps, and aiding recovery. Adequate magnesium intake through diet or supplements can improve muscle performance, reduce muscle-related discomfort, and support overall muscular and cardiovascular health.

In our modern lifestyle, magnesium is often depleted by stress, poor soil quality, sugar, medications and alcohol.

But My Balm Is Even Better, I've Added Herbs!

I have included the organic herbs; hops, passionflower and lavender into this balm for their calming and relaxing properties, however they also bring about the following additional benefits:

Hops

Hops are an old fashioned and useful remedy; an excellent nervine and will produce sleep when nothing else will. Can treat stress, anxiety, irritability as well as insomnia, can help palpitations, poor appetite, fatigue, UTI's, boils, herpes, eczema, ringworm, scurvy and acne. They are also valuable in delirium tremens DTs (alcohol withdrawal). Hops are a good remedy for toothache, earache and neuralgia. Hops tone up the liver, increase the flow of urine and bile and are good for excessive sexual desires and gonorrhea . Also good for diseases of the chest and throat.  Hops have healing properties for a range of oral inflammatory diseases and can protect against cardiovascular diseases. They contain phytoestrogens and  relieve menstrual pain and menopause related complaints; they are anti-inflammatory. They also positively affect neurotransmitters such as GABA serotonin and adenosine.

Passion Flower

Passion flower is used for insomnia and nervous disorders, including Parkinson's, epilepsy, hysteria, neuralgia, shingles ,anxiety and depression. Helps cardiovascular conditions like heart failure and high blood pressure. Treats menstrual cramps, ADHD and also soothes burns and hemorrhoids.

Helps fibromyalgia, inflammation, opioid withdrawal, earache, stomach ulcers, boils, wounds, liver problems and menopausal symptoms. Studies suggest that it appears to boost the level of GABA in the brain; it is gentle enough to calm children or the elderly.

Lavender

Lavender supports mental health eases migraines and headaches, treats acne, relieves pain. It is beneficial in fighting respiratory issues, supporting overall brain health, it can act as a bug repellent, promotes healthy urinary tract and is a source of antioxidants.

Lavender's traditional use is for sleep and to support nervous tension, pain relief and wound healing. Lavender can be taken as an infusion used topically and via aromatherapy.

In a study involving 93 participants with high levels of stress and anxiety, subjects that underwent aromatherapy using lavender essential oil reported improvement in levels of anxiety and mood.

And Here Are The Base Ingredients of My Balm:

Shea butter

The benefits of Shea butter include a natural treatment for eczema and itchy skin conditions, helps manage arthritis, helps treat acne, slows down the aging process, aids nasal decongestion, improves hair condition, reduces scar appearance, helps treat razor bumps, helps prevent hair loss, lowers cholesterol level and helps treat insect bites.

It has a high vitamin A&E content; it can be consumed although most people don't. It’s a rich source of multiple antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Shea butter contains high amounts of the natural oils linoleic and oleic acids which help to safeguard hair against the effects of sun and dehydration.

It can be used for nappy or diaper rash and can be mixed with coconut oil to make it more suitable for application. It is great as a base for lip balm as it has excellent moisturizing properties and the ability to retain water. It is especially suited for extremely cold or dry climates where cracked lips occur frequently and cause great discomfort. Shea butter forms an impenetrable barrier that prevents moisture from being lost.

Shea butter can be of extreme value for hair health; its rich spectrum of fatty acids help to improve the moisture content of both the scalp and hair supporting the strength of the follicles and reducing the likelihood of hair being lost as a result as it is anti-inflammatory this also tackles this aspect of hair loss. People report improvements in hair density and quality after using Shea butter enhanced oils to product on the hair for a few weeks.

Shea butter applied to the affected muscles  after exercise or injury, after bath can help to relieve pain and inflammation associated with the muscle in question.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is a wonderful natural moisturizer that melts just above room temperature it is high in fatty acids which penetrates the skin for deep hydration. It also makes a good hair conditioner. Cocoa butter contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B2, vitamin B1, Vitamin A and caffeine.

Cocoa butter is rich in antioxidants including oleic acid palmitic acid and stearic acid these fatty acids are a benefit to your skin because they provide a layer of protection from skin stresses and free radicals. They help slow down the process of aging while acting as a mild sunscreen.

The antioxidants in cocoa butter work to lighten age spots, to even skin tone, and to reduce scars and help stretch marks. It can be useful for those with sensitive skin or skin irritation such as eczema and dermatitis.

Beeswax

Beeswax has analgesic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, allowing damaged skin to heal faster as well as relieving irritation, redness and itching. According to studies, chrysin, the most abundant flavonoid in beeswax reduces inflammation at a cellular level and has an antimicrobial and regenerative effects on the skin.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has been proven to significantly increase skin hydration just as effectively as other mineral oils and keep it hydrated for longer. Coconut oil for dry skin can be used as a deep treatment to nourish dry and cracked skin replenishing loss moisture and strengthening the skin barrier to retain it.

Soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is an emollient that softens and soothes the skin when applied topically; it's high fatty acid content forms a skin barrier that effectively seals in moisture while keeping air and other environmental pollutants out. It is a great ingredient to use in creams or lotions for older, dry, or overworked skin because of this feature.

If You'd like to Try Some, Please Go Here:

https://www.dragonfitnessandcoaching.com/product-page/handmade-artisan-100-organic-magnesium-balm-w-lavender-hops-and-passionflower

Ally van de Pol is a Certified Naturopath, Healing Diets Coach, Iridologist and Herbal Medicine Therapist. She creates and curates natural and organic skincare and remedies.