Magnesium in Folk Medicine: How Cultures Around the World Used It

Magnesium might be trending in modern wellness, but its history goes back thousands of years. Long before supplements and skincare products, people across the globe turned to natural sources of magnesium for healing. From mineral-rich hot springs to therapeutic clays and salts, magnesium showed up in many traditional remedies. These age-old practices reveal how deeply connected magnesium is to the story of global healing.

Why Magnesium Mattered in Traditional Medicine

Today, we know magnesium helps support over 300 processes in your body. It helps with muscle function, stress response, and even skin health. But ancient cultures didn’t need a lab to know it worked. They saw the results firsthand. Whether soaking in magnesium-rich healing waters or using clay to calm irritated skin, people discovered natural ways to use it long before science confirmed its benefits.

Let’s explore how different cultures used magnesium in traditional medicine and why it still matters today.

Europe: Bathing in Magnesium-Rich Healing Waters

One of the most famous natural magnesium sources in folk medicine is Epsom salt. Found in the English town of Epsom in the 17th century, these salts were rich in magnesium sulfate. Locals used them to treat everything from muscle pain to skin conditions. The practice of soaking in these salts spread quickly across Europe, becoming a popular folk remedy.

But Epsom wasn’t the only place. Thermal springs in places like Hungary, Germany, and France were known for their high magnesium content. People traveled miles to bathe in these waters, believing they could ease joint pain, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system.

Key folk medicine uses of magnesium in Europe:

• Soaking sore muscles in magnesium-rich baths
• Using magnesium salts for skin detox and exfoliation
• Treating digestive issues with magnesium-based tonics

Asia: Magnesium in Holistic Healing Practices

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), balance is everything. Magnesium often appeared in mineral-based powders and tonics used to restore harmony in the body. Magnesium salts helped clear heat from the body, reduce inflammation, and regulate digestion.

Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of medicine, also used magnesium-rich clays and salts. Practitioners used them to calm the skin, support detox, and even reduce anxiety. Rock salt, which contains magnesium, was often part of digestive and skin remedies.

Cultural uses of magnesium in Asia include:

• Magnesium powders to cool the body and soothe inflammation
• Clay masks for acne and skin irritation
• Salt scrubs and baths for purification and relaxation

Africa: Healing Clays and Mineral Springs

Across many African cultures, healing clays played a major role in traditional medicine. Bentonite clay, often rich in magnesium, was used to draw out impurities from the skin and body. It was applied to wounds, insect bites, and rashes to speed up healing. Some communities also used it internally for detox.

In North Africa, magnesium-rich salt from places like the Dead Sea and Sahara regions was prized for its skin-soothing powers. Locals used it in scrubs, masks, and even hair treatments.

Traditional remedies with magnesium in Africa:

• Clay poultices for wounds and inflammation
• Mineral baths for skin conditions and joint pain
• Salt-based scrubs for cleansing and exfoliation

Middle East: Ancient Magnesium Salts and Sacred Waters

The Dead Sea, located between Jordan and Israel, has the highest concentration of magnesium salts on Earth. Since ancient times, people have visited its shores to soak in the therapeutic waters. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans believed the mineral-rich mud and water could cure skin diseases, improve circulation, and even slow aging.

Magnesium in holistic healing was also part of religious rituals. Purification with mineral water was a common practice in many Middle Eastern traditions. The connection between physical cleansing and spiritual renewal made magnesium-rich waters especially sacred.

Historical uses of magnesium in the Middle East:

• Dead Sea mud masks for skin rejuvenation
• Magnesium baths for arthritis and muscle pain
• Ritual cleansing with mineral water

Indigenous Cultures: Natural Magnesium Sources in Folk Medicine

Many Indigenous groups across the Americas used natural magnesium sources long before modern science identified them. Hot springs, often high in magnesium, were sacred places for healing and ceremony. Tribes believed the water carried the Earth’s energy and could restore balance to the body and spirit.

Some groups also used magnesium-rich clay to treat skin infections, bug bites, and digestive issues. These traditional remedies with magnesium were passed down through generations and often tied to spiritual beliefs and land stewardship.

Global magnesium therapy among Indigenous peoples:

• Soaking in hot springs for pain relief and purification
• Applying clay to bug bites and minor wounds
• Using mineral water in spiritual healing rituals

Why These Practices Still Matter

Folk medicine uses of magnesium weren’t just about tradition. They were smart, informed choices based on observation and experience. These practices helped manage pain, calm the skin, and reduce stress goals that are still relevant today.

Modern products, like those from MAGS Skin, use the same natural power of magnesium but with updated formulas. Instead of harsh chemicals or synthetic ingredients, they rely on magnesium to support your skin’s natural balance. It’s a way of honoring the past while giving your skin what it needs now.

Quick Takeaways: The Global Story of Magnesium

• Magnesium in traditional medicine shows up across cultures, from Asia to Africa to Europe
• Magnesium-rich healing waters were used to treat pain, skin issues, and stress
• Magnesium salts in ancient medicine helped with cleansing, detox, and digestion
• Clay and mineral baths remain popular natural remedies for sensitive skin
• Cultural uses of magnesium connect physical healing with emotional and spiritual balance

Magnesium Then and Now

From sacred waters to modern skincare, magnesium’s healing story spans centuries. Its role in global folk medicine proves one thing: nature often knows best. Whether you’re soaking in a salt bath or using a magnesium deodorant, you’re tapping into a practice that’s stood the test of time.

And that’s what MAGS Skin is all about bringing the wisdom of traditional remedies into your daily routine. With clean ingredients and magnesium-powered formulas, you don’t have to choose between science and tradition. You get both.