Enhanced coconut oil body lotion ~ a recipe; Our skin is an absorption and excretion organ.

Protect membranes inside and out with hydration, electrolytes in balance, and aloe vera gel & essential oils can help skin heal or maintain health.

I am not well-read or experienced in making topical lotions but have experimented a little. Starting with a good quality coconut oil lotion is my stage of progress.

Magnesium used to be abundant in ground water which we would bathe in and drink. Our body expects an abundance of magnesium and the current guidelines lean towards restrictive based on some forms causing diarrhea too easily with supplements. Solution use chelated forms or take smaller amounts more often or use Epsom salt soaks or topical lotions.

My latest batch of Enhanced Lotion.

I dissolved a little Epsom salt (two generous pinches was one rounded teaspoon when I repeated my steps and measured it today) in a couple tablespoons of boiling water, along with the vitamin C powder from two 1000 mg capsules. Caution with acidic elements in a topical lotion as it can become irritating instead of healing - I may only use one capsule next time.

Then I added about a 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel and stirred. I added about 3/4 cup of the premade coconut oil body lotion - a very thick brand - and whisked it until it was smoothly mixed together.

Then I measured - I had about one cup - 8 ounces of the now thinner but still creamy white lotion. The rough guidance for essential oils is 6-10 drops per 1-2 ounces of carrier oil - or lotion in this case. 8 x 6 = 48

The essential oils I added:

• ~ 10 drops Oregano essential oil - a strong anti-microbial and iron-chelator.

• ~ 10 drops Frankincense essential oil - healing to the skin for wounds or scarring.

• ~ 10 drops Tea Tree essential oil - antiseptic, pain reducing, and helps carry other ingredients into the deeper skin layers while making a protective barrier against some toxins.

• ~ 6 drops Rosemary essential oil - antiseptic and anti-inflammatory

• ~ 6 drops Pine Needle essential oil - similar to Rosemary.

• ~ 6 drops Geranium essential oil - for fragrance and has some healing properties.

• ~ 2 drops Bergamot essential oil - also for fragrance and has some healing properties.

• ~ 50 drops - and then I tested it to make sure it wasn’t too tingly/potent.

To a smaller amount of that mixture (about 2 tablespoons) I added an additional 10 drops of Oregano essential oil to make a more potent batch for use on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands - both are absorptive areas of the body. Oregano oil and the other essential oils seem to improve circulation and help heal bruising faster than without use of the anti-inflammatory oils.

Goal - apply the main batch twice a day to as much body surface as possible and some of the stronger oregano oil batch to the feet and/or hands - be generous around the nails and nailbeds as magnesium sulfate can be absorbed there and at skin pores. This may be able to help sepsis type internal inflammation as the skin is a large surface area that can both absorb or excrete. So please be aware that what you apply to your skin can be helpful or harmful. And letting skin get too dry and chaffed will increase risk of infection and poor healing of minor wounds.

Autoimmune conditions can include non-healing sores within the nostrils or ears. I have found applying pure food-grade coconut oil helped with soothing and promoting healing of the sores. Humidifiers or hanging wet laundry during dry winter months is also protective of the delicate mucus membranes and for preventing chapped lips. We exhale moisture while we sleep so drinking a little water when waking up briefly can also be helpful along with the moist air.

I have not found topical magnesium chloride products to be as well-absorbed as magnesium sulfate lotions. Salty flakes appear after the magnesium chloride spray or liquid dries.

I am hopeful that this will help my mother get through her inflammatory condition even though she is only getting saline solution, and a little glucose now, and antibiotics from the medical care. Between my am and pm visits yesterday her sleep seemed more normal and less restless/feverish than when I visited in the morning.

*The coconut oil lotion: NatureWell Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream - 16 ounce jar. I am unaffiliated with the company.

*or one drop of Lemongrass oil in a batch of Thai soup - it has a short distance between delicious and too strong. Oregano or rosemary essential oils can be consumed in food too but diluting in a carrier oil and then using a few drops of that mix may help prevent getting too much in the food as it is also extremely strong flavored.

Read the label if looking for an edible essential oil. Not all essential oils may be made without solvents that are inedible even though the herb might seem like an edible herb - and any are too strong undiluted. For use medicinally in a vegetable capsule it is still important to first dilute a drop or two of the edible essential oil like oregano oil in a little olive oil or some other edible food oil. Brief article: How to Cook with Essential Oils (tasteofhome.com)

• Additionally - a digital science magazine with some interesting articles, via TechnologyNetworks.com: The Scientific Observer_Issue22_PDF_NEW.pdf (hubspotusercontent-na1.net)

• An article from their site: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients Have Altered Gut Microbiota | Technology Networks

Disclaimer: This information is being provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use and is not intended to provide individua health care guidance.

Partial Reference List

(Nielson, et al., 2006) Nielsen JB, Nielsen F. Topical use of tea tree oil reduces the dermal absorption of benzoic acid and methiocarb. Arch Dermatol Res. 2006 Mar;297(9):395-402. doi: 10.1007/s00403-005-0627-z. Epub 2005 Nov 29. PMID: 16315066. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16315066/