It’s happened.  The temperature has kicked up a notch, the humidity is intensifying and the homemade deodorant I use during winter just isn’t going to cut the potential perspiration!

I discovered this awesome solution by accident.  And it is awesome because it not only makes a really effective natural deodorant, but supports getting your daily dose of magnesium.  Did you know that even people who eat a nutrient-dense diet are at risk of magnesium deficiency?

I personally didn’t know this, or realise how important magnesium was until after I fell pregnant.  Just like with my first pregnancy I had debilitating morning sickness.  I vomited so much I ended up in hospital and NOTHING seemed to help.  As I desperately searched online for ideas, I stumbled across Mommypotomus’ blog (source) and read:

“That cortisol (the stress hormone) can cause weight gain, but did you know that’s because one of its main functions is to increase blood sugar? Yep, excess cortisol in your system takes your blood sugar through huge spikes and crashes, resulting in fatigue and nausea (aka morning sickness).

Normally, magnesium balances cortisol levels by cleaning the excess from our blood. BUT – Pregnancy hormones inhibit our ability to absorb magnesium! This can lead to a vicious cycle in which excess stress hormones cause nausea, which causes stress, which we can’t fully remedy because the very thing we need we can’t fully absorb, and then you get this → Ugh!”

I was so excited I almost fell off the sofa!  I read on to discover how this magical magnesium would save my life!

“That’s Why The Secret To Morning Sickness . . .
Is to build up your magnesium stores before getting pregnant!”

I could have cried, but it didn’t stop me learning more about magnesium and ordering some magnesium oil anyway, which I began to use in a number of ways…

1.  To get my daily dose of magnesium.  I read that as a woman aged over 30 I needed 320 mg/day. As a pregnant woman over 30 I needed 360 mg/day.  I read the skin of the armpits is considered especially good for transdermal application and that eight sprays of magnesium oil delivers around 100 mg of beneficial magnesium onto the skin for your body to absorb.  So, I sprayed before I went to bed because I also read that magnesium was good to relax and thus, I drifted off into dreamy world… (just to note I certainly didn’t need 8 sprays under my armpits!  So I sprayed a couple under each arm, a couple to massage into my neck [which felt glorious] and a spray into each sole of my feet.)

Now this is going to sound gross, but one of the other yicky symptoms I have during pregnancy is extra perspiration, especially at night, which means generally in the morning I smell less than fresh.  I am not a fan of over the counter deodorants, filled with nasties like aluminum salts (associated with Alzheimer’s disease), parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, or butyl- endocrine disruptors), propolyene glycol (also found in anti-freeze), synthetic fragrances (contain phthalates and neurotoxins), dyes and more.  Even the ones that claim to be natural, to me, contain unnecessary and questionable ingredients.  So I had taken to making my own using witch hazel, melaleuca and lemon.  You see, our sweat doesn’t smell, but the bacteria that hang out in our armpits do.  Melaleuca is great at killing bacteria, witch hazel cleanses the skin pores and lemon is both antibacterial and great smelling and makes me feel naturally uplifted, so this little mix worked great to freshen up and I guess work on the bacteria from the sweat causing any odour, but it didn’t really address the perspiration itself.

Cue the Magnesium!  That morning after I applied the magnesium oil to my armpits the night before I woke up dry and fresh.  At first I thought it must be a one off, so I repeated the next few nights and found the same!  The real test came when we had the first really hot day of late spring.  Again I found I sweat less, but I didn’t smell overly fresh?  (I guess navigating the tantrums of a toddler does put extra stress on the sweat glands…) Good news is I didn’t smell bad though, but it was at this point I decided to try the lemon oil and the results were perfect.  A light, fresh, summery deodorant that stops sweating and helps me to get the magnesium I need every day.  The benefits of which I am definitely feeling.  My headaches have reduced, my morning sickness did reduce (I also started to take a good probiotic, which may have also supported this), I have less aches and pains in general and in these last few weeks of pregnancy when braxton hicks have increased I am now using magnesium for these also.

Great natural food sources of magnesium include green, leafy vegetables like spinach, nuts, beans, peas, and soybeans, and wholegrain cereals, but I guess you have too eat a lot to get what you need and I, personally, am not a saint!

2. The second way I use magnesium is in response to the onset of a headache.  If a quick massage of lavender directly to my temples doesn’t bring relief (which it usually does), I mix with with frankincense, lavender or peppermint (depending what is going on for me in that moment, and sometimes I mix all three!) and I use a roller bottle to apply to the back of my neck or shoulders.  Then I massage in and take a few deep belly breaths to relax.

3. The final way I use magnesium is for sleep – for me and my daughter.  I make a relaxing body butter of coconut oil, shea butter, magnesium oil and essential oils.  A popular oil for sleep, which works for me and Eden is lavender, but it is not right for everyone.  Alternatives are frankincense, vetiver and dōTERRA’s proprietary blend, Serenity.

All essential oils are available for purchase from my online shop if you would like to discover how magnesium can make a difference to your health.  A good supplier of magnesium oil is iherb online. I can also prepare any of the solutions above for you (the sleep body butter, the headache roll on and deodorant) for purchase if you just want to have a trial of these solutions and see how they work for you.  Please contact me for prices and to place an order.

Have you had a positive experience with magnesium oil or have more tips to share?  If so, please comment below!

Hope you are all enjoying this gloriously sunny weekend

Much love x x