What happens when you apply magnesium oil to the belly button? Here's what experts say

If there is one nutrient that can truly rejuvenate your mind and body simultaneously, it's perhaps magnesium. From its role in managing blood sugar, easing stress, to promoting sound sleep, regular intake of magnesium has a wealth of benefits for health. Magnesium is also needed for the heart function and also for a stronger immune system.
Most people can get enough magnesium by eating foods such as green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and fish, however, magnesium can also be used in the form of oil for topical application. It can simply be rubbed onto the skin or sprayed.
Magnesium oil application on the belly button is particularly becoming popular in the world of wellness influencers. They claim that a spray of magnesium on their belly button can help relieve stress, improve sleep and ease muscle soreness.
Magnesium oil isn't technically an oil and is made from a mixture of magnesium chloride flakes and water. Applying magnesium oil to the skin may help raise levels of this nutrient within the body, a process known as transdermal.
A study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine found that participants with chronic kidney disease benefitted by application of magnesium oil as it eased their neuropathic pain and frequency of symptoms.
They used a spray bottle to apply five sprays of a magnesium chloride solution once daily for 12 weeks.
However, the levels of magnesium in the body didn’t change much.

"I cannot emphasize the importance of using a magnesium spray every single day," Mandana Zarghami, a Miami influencer, said in a viral video on TikTok. "During the day I'll spray it under my arms and in my belly button," she added. She said that she also repeated the practice at night when she also puts it on the bottom of her feet.
A 2017 study found that applying magnesium cream to the torso, stomach, and legs slightly increased magnesium levels after 2 weeks. So does rubbing or spraying magnesium oil on your feet help promote sleep and relaxation? Does it lead to better absorption? Is it a fad or a valid health remedy? Let's find out what experts have to say.


Does applying magnesium oil on the belly button lead to better absorption?
"Magnesium oil is a mixture of magnesium chloride flakes with water that is used for medicinal purposes. It may have anti-inflammatory properties but there is very little research data available to support this. There have been claims to support better magnesium absorption for transdermal application over oral supplementation but more research is needed," Dietitian Priya Palan told TOI Digital.
"As a nutritionist, I always emphasize the importance of magnesium in our diet, but I also recognize that many people struggle with deficiency due to poor absorption, stress, or an imbalanced diet. The belly button, or navel, is a fascinating part of the body. In Ayurveda and traditional wellness practices, the navel is considered an energy center and a key point for absorption. It is connected to numerous veins and nerve endings, which could allow for efficient delivery of nutrients and essential minerals like magnesium," Nutritionist Sakshi Lalwani told TOI Digital.


Lalwani also shared the benefits of applying magnesium oil to the belly button:
Better absorption: One of the biggest challenges with magnesium supplementation is poor absorption in the gut. Many people experience digestive discomfort or reduced uptake due to conditions like leaky gut, IBS, or stress-related gut imbalances. Applying magnesium oil to the skin—especially around the belly button—may bypass the digestive tract, ensuring direct absorption into the bloodstream.
Better sleep and relaxation: Magnesium is often called the “relaxation mineral” because of its role in calming the nervous system and regulating melatonin (the sleep hormone). Many people who struggle with insomnia, restless sleep, or anxiety find that topical magnesium application helps them unwind before bed. Rubbing it on the belly button before sleep may promote a deeper, more restful night.
Relief from cramps and digestive discomfort: Many people suffer from bloating, constipation, or menstrual cramps, and magnesium is known for its muscle-relaxing properties. Since the belly button is located near key digestive organs, applying magnesium oil in this area may help relax the intestinal muscles, reduce bloating, and ease menstrual pain.
Supports hormonal balance: Hormonal imbalances are often linked to stress, poor sleep, and mineral deficiencies—all of which magnesium plays a role in managing. Some women report that topical magnesium helps regulate PMS symptoms, mood swings, and period irregularities by calming the nervous system and reducing stress-related cortisol spikes.
Stress and anxiety reduction: In our fast-paced world, stress depletes magnesium levels faster than we realize. Since magnesium plays a key role in relaxing the nervous system and muscles, applying it to the belly button may help promote a sense of calmness, ease tension, and support overall mental well-being.

Lalwani also shared how to apply magnesium oil on belly button
• Take a few drops of magnesium oil and gently massage it around your belly button.
• Allow it to absorb for at least 20–30 minutes before wiping off any excess (if needed).
• You may experience a mild tingling sensation at first—this is normal and should subside over time.
• For best results, use it before bedtime or when you’re feeling stressed.
It is important to control the intake of magnesium in your diet. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend not exceeding the upper daily limit of magnesium intake of 350 milligrams for people ages 9 years and older. Excess magnesium may lead to hypermagnesemia which may cause symptoms like diarrhea, muscle cramps, and nausea.