Hacks. A current 'thing' I mostly ignore. I need someone to tell me I've been "doing it wrong" for most of my life? haha.... Mostly that's me. But sometimes it takes an out-of-the-box comment from a stranger to flip things and challenge me - to make me realize, again, the power and magic of what I do. And maybe to do it differently.
I produce and sell Magnesium Oil (a super saturated magnesium chloride solution) through my Pure Thai Naturals business. One of the really common FAQs I get is "How will I get best results?" and usually I tell people to spray it over their lymph gland areas, and on their bellies and inner upper arms where absorption is good. And make no mistake, that's also where a hospital is likely to suggest you place a skin patch for ease of application and best transdermal results. We keep a bottle in the bathroom and, provided I'm not in too much of a hurry, I apply it after my shower, when the skin is damp and with a little oil to make it feel less sticky. Most every day.
Why do I use it, and try to use it daily? It's critical for great bone health, and she who is recovering from x6 compression fractures in her left arm needs all the bone help she can get. Magnesium is critical for most chemical reactions in the body and controls mood, sleep, weight management, muscle recovery, heart rhythm and a host of other common "issues" people have. It's used as a frontline treatment for both asthma and depression, and no longer found in adequate levels in most of our foods, due to centuries of 'rape & pillage' farming practices. Clinical studies show that transdermal absorption is optimal (no interference from digestive processes) and it can give almost instant relief through the skin, whether you struggle with leg cramps, mood swings or insomnia. BUT being the busy entrepreneurial mom that I am, I must confess that some days it's all I can do to actually dry myself after a shower before I fly out the door, let alone pamper and apply yummies to my skin.
So there I was last week, reviewing the interactions on my facebook biz page Pure Thai Naturals when I came across this lovely comment from my customer, Mary, underneath a promotion I had posted for Magnesium Oil:
"I love your magnesium spray. I have the bottle by my bedside. Just prior to turning out the lights I spray the bottoms of my feet. And if I wake up during the night I reapply. Great product for restful sleeping and so happy I didn't have to schlep it in my suitcase from the US. Your products are lovely!"
And it was like a light went on in my head. Ta Da!! The SOLES OF THE FEET.
I KNEW the random facts which support this method:
- The feet have more pores than any other part of the body;
- The pores on the feet are larger than any other pores on the body, thus allowing larger particles to be absorbed;
- The soles of our feet and the palms of our hands are the only parts of our body which don’t contain sebaceous glands;
- Sebum can interfere with absorption through the skin;
Duh. I felt really stupid for a moment.
What is sebum, I hear a few of you whisper to one another in the back row?
Sebum is a fatty substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in our skin. It consists mainly of fatty acids, waxes, triglycerides and cholesterol. Sebum reaches the surface of the skin via the small ducts that lead to the hair follicles, and is responsible for everything from shiny healthy hair and gorgeous soft skin to pimples and greasy hair. It's presence helps the skin to repel a lot of things that might otherwise go straight into our sub-dermis and blood supply, and it's part of our natural immune system.
But the same sebum that helps keep the lavender oil fragrant on the surface of your skin, also prevents the absorption of some of it into your bloodstream.
I am sometimes slow to change, but when I learn something that is so obvious and logical and beneficial, I become a devotee overnight. And a devotee I have become!!
My NEW BEDTIME REGIME consists of sitting on the edge of the bed and devoting 5 mins to my feet.
I apply about 7 squirts of Magnesium to the sole of each foot and massage it in, and then (here comes the feet treats part) I have been applying something else!
Feet Treat #1.
Magnesium Oil and organic Cretan Lavender Oil
I've been using this on nights when I feel stressed and overwhelmed. Where to get essential oils from our amazing aromatherapist in Crete? You can find Yianni on facebook at Cretan Distillery and Herbs.
This particular lavender oil is distilled from the lavender stalks and not the flower heads and is simply stunning. It's a little more herbaceous and pungent than 'regular' lavender oil - a hint of piney freshness. How have I been sleeping? A lot. Deeply.
Amazing dreams. And waking creative, deeply rested and thankful. My productivity? Much better while I am actually doing less the following day. And I LOVE that.
Feet Treat #2
Magnesium Oil and Phlai Balm
Warming Oils and 'Tiger Balm' style balms (but without the icky chemicals and nasty oils please!) are an ages old witchy remedy for most everything. Feeling sniffly? Apply something warming to the soles of the feet, put on some socks and wake up to feeling renewed and bug free. How does it work? On one level it stimulates circulation to the extremities. One another level, each part of the foot, as per reflexology theory, mirrors a part of the body; engorging the feet with new blood and moving energy there helps the whole body to rebalance.
Please use only a natural warming balm, and NOT one made with petrochemicals, fake oils and artificial colours. My choice? Phlai Traditional Beeswax Balm Yes, I produce it and sell it too, and ship it worldwide.
Apart from the warming nature of the balm itself (yes, you will gently glow and tingle) the Phlai root itself has been clinically proven to be equal to over the counter anti-inflammatories. If you missed my specific post about Phlai root, here it is again
Feet Treat #3
Magnesium Oil and homemade Nutmeg Oil
I first discovered this treat eons ago when I first came to Thailand. Some friends gifted me with a Chinese bottle of nutmeg oil, and I have been hooked ever since.
Why nutmeg oil? It's an incredible treatment for sleep disorders, as well as being warming and calming. Fun fact: it's also a wonderful aphrodisiac, so be prepared for some wonderful loving after your great sleep. You can rad more about the benefits of nutmeg oil here
How to make it at home?
- Grind or grate your fresh nutmeg - one or two whole nuts is good, the fresher the better.
- Cover with one cup of fresh cold-pressed oil - my fav is cold pressed organic black sesame oil, but you can also use organic coconut or olive oils.
- Warm gently in a double boiler only to the point where you can comfortably hold your finger in it.
- Transfer to a clean, glass jar and close tightly.
- Keep in a dark place for one month or more, shaking well every few days.
- Strain and bottle.
Please be aware nutmeg DOES have interesting psychotropic effects. If you want to create this, you can always purposely create a stronger oil by repeating the infusion process using oil that has already been infused. A nice autumn project for enjoying during long cold winter nights.
For our dedicated steem and crypto community friends, my Magnesium Oil and Phlai Traditional Beeswax Balm will both be up in the new 
Treat Your Feet - They are your connection to Mother Earth and will serve you well, each and every day of your journey through this Earthschool.
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