The History of Magnesium: From Epsom Salts to Essential Mineral

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of processes in your body, but its story starts with a drought, a herd of thirsty cows, and a bitter-tasting pool of water in an English village. Here's how magnesium went from Epsom salts to an essential nutrient.

1618: A discovery on Epsom Common

In the summer of 1618, England was in the middle of a drought. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, a local cowherd named Henry Wicker found a pool of water on Epsom Common, south of London, that his thirsty cattle refused to drink. The water tasted bitter, and when it evaporated it left behind a salt.^[1]

That salt turned out to have a strong laxative effect. It became famous as Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), and was used as a remedy for constipation for roughly the next 350 years.^[1] Epsom grew into a popular spa town, attracting visitors who came to drink and bathe in its waters.

Identifying a new element

For more than a century, no one knew exactly what made Epsom salts work. In 1755, Scottish chemist Joseph Black became the first person to propose that magnesium was a distinct element, after showing that magnesia (magnesium oxide) was different from lime (calcium oxide).^[1]

In 1808, English chemist Sir Humphry Davy isolated a small sample of the pure metal using electrolysis. The name traces back to the mineral magnesite and the region of Magnesia in Greece.^[1]

From chemistry to nutrition

In the 20th century, scientists discovered how important magnesium is to human health. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements explains that magnesium is needed for many processes in the body, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, and making protein, bone, and DNA.^[2]

Magnesium is found in leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. However, the NIH notes that many people in the United States get less magnesium from food than recommended.^[2]

Why the form matters

Magnesium supplements come in many forms, including oxide, citrate, sulfate, and glycinate. They differ in how much elemental magnesium they contain and how they're tolerated. Some forms, like the original Epsom salts, have a strong laxative effect. Magnesium glycinate is bound to the amino acid glycine and is often chosen because it tends to be gentler on the stomach.

Learn more in Magnesium Glycinate for Sleep & Relaxation and Ashwagandha vs. Magnesium Glycinate.

How the FDA regulates magnesium

Magnesium supplements are regulated as dietary supplements in the US. Under DSHEA (1994), the FDA does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the market.^[3]

Safety notes

• Upper limit: The NIH sets the upper limit for magnesium from supplements at 350 mg per day for adults, unless a doctor recommends more. Food sources don't count toward this limit.^[2]
• Digestive effects: Too much supplemental magnesium can cause diarrhea, nausea, and cramping.^[2]
• Kidney disease: People with kidney problems should talk to a doctor before taking magnesium.
• Medication interactions: Magnesium can interact with some antibiotics, osteoporosis drugs, and other medications.^[2] Ask your pharmacist about spacing doses.

The bottom line

From a bitter pool on Epsom Common to the electrolysis experiments of Humphry Davy to modern nutrition science, magnesium has a surprisingly rich history. Today we know it's an essential mineral that many people don't get enough of.

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Sources

1. Emsley J. Magnesium. Royal Society of Chemistry, Education in Chemistry.
2. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Consumers.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This content is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Historical and traditional uses are described for context only.