I have been using Ancient Minerals Pure Magnesium Oil for six months. It was recommended by a close GAPS friend. My goal is to use it every night before going to sleep.

I began using magnesium oil because of the trouble I was having sleeping and staying asleep through the night. Some people find they sleep better at night when they take magnesium. I do find that I sleep better when I use it.

Now this product does state that it may sting slightly when you first begin using it, and that did happen to me. You can dilute the product with 50% water – be sure to use “clean” water. You don't want contaminated water absorbing into your skin. Spray the magnesium oil spray onto your skin (with the half gallon jug you will need to use your own spray bottle), rub it in and it disappears pretty quickly. Some people wait for twenty minutes and rinse or shower. I usually spray it on after showering or taking my detox bath which is usually just before I go to bed, and then go to sleep with it on my skin. My friend Patty from Loving Our Guts says:

“When I am detoxing I get a lot of muscle cramps and spasms and spraying magnesium oil spray right onto those areas helps to relax the muscles. It can sting when you first start using it. If it does and you can't bear it simply dilute it and over time as your levels get higher it won't sting any more.”

At Patty's advice on her blog I tried using Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil for muscle spasms, in fact yesterday my neck was hurting as if I had strained it, and I tried spraying the magnesium oil on my neck and it helped quite a bit.

Here are the signs of low magnesium from the Ancient Minerals site:

Neurological:

• Behavioral disturbances
• Irritability and anxiety
• Lethargy
• Impaired memory and cognitive function
• Anorexia or loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures

Muscular:

• Weakness
• Muscle spasms (tetany)
• Tics
• Muscle cramps
• Hyperactive reflexes
• Impaired muscle coordination (ataxia)
• Tremors
• Involuntary eye movements and vertigo
• Difficulty swallowing

Metabolic:

• Increased intracellular calcium
• Hyperglycemia
• Calcium deficiency
• Potassium deficiency

Cardiovascular:

• Irregular or rapid heartbeat
• Coronary spasms

Among children:

• Growth retardation or “failure to thrive”

If you have digestive problems it can be easier to get your magnesium by absorbing it through the skin, and magnesium is one of the minerals you should supplement if you have the genetic mutation MTHFR. This is the most reasonable price I've found and while I could likely save money making my own I have heard this product is much nicer than the homemade versions.

Have you tried using magnesium oil? Have you found it to be beneficial?