Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Abscesses

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Magnesium, particularly in the form of magnesium sulfate (commonly known as Epsom salt), has a long history of traditional use in the management of abscesses. Historically, Epsom salt poultices have been applied topically to the skin overlying an abscess with the belief that they can "draw out" pus, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain. This practice is rooted in folk medicine and has been passed down through generations, particularly before the widespread availability of antibiotics and modern medical interventions.

The proposed mechanism is based on the hygroscopic (water-attracting) nature of magnesium sulfate. When applied as a warm, moist compress, it is thought to create an osmotic gradient that helps to draw fluid and, potentially, infectious material out of the abscess, thus promoting drainage and reducing inflammation. However, scientific studies rigorously evaluating the effectiveness of topical magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt in the treatment of abscesses are scarce. Most available evidence is anecdotal or based on small, uncontrolled case series. Medical guidelines today generally recommend incision and drainage as the standard of care, sometimes supplemented with antibiotics.

In summary, the use of magnesium for abscesses is primarily traditional, with very limited scientific validation. While it may provide some symptomatic relief or assist in minor cases, it should not replace evidence-based medical treatments for abscesses, especially those that are deep, large, or associated with systemic symptoms.

More about magnesium
More about Abscesses

Other ingredients used for Abscesses

Abrus
Abuta
Acacia
Achyranthes
Activated charcoal
Agave
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allicin
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
amber
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Ampelopsis
anamu
Andrographis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
ash
assam indigo
Asteraceae
aucubin
bai ji
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
Bassia scoparia
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
bentonite
berberine
bergamot
Bidens pilosa
bindweed
black nightshade
black root
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackboard tree
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
borassus palm
boxthorne
boxwood
Brazilian peppertree
bromelain
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
Calendula
California pitcher plant
Calotropis gigantea
capillary artemisia
carrapichinho
Casearia sylvestris
castor oil
catlaw buttercup
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cedrus libani
celandine
Centipeda
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chiococca alba
chrysophanics
cinquefoil
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
coconut
colloidal silver
copaiba oil
cowage seed
cowherb
croton seeds
curcumin
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynanchum
Cynodon dactylon
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
dragon\'s blood
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elephant vine
elephant\'s head
Erigeron
Erodium cicutarium
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Ficus simplicissima
figwort
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
gallotannin
garlic
garlic bulb
genipap
geranium
giant blazingstar
ginger
Gnaphalium
golden shower tree
goldenseal
green tea
Guazuma ulmifolia
Gugambilla
Gumweed
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
henna
Herb Robert
honey
hound\'s tongue
Houttuynia
Huang hua
Hyaluronidase
Immortelle
Indian fagonia
indigo leaves
Isatis
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kachnar
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Kamala
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
lac resin
lacquertree
Laggera pterodonta
Lantana camara
lavender
Lebbek
Lesser speargrass
Levant cotton
Lewis's monkey flower
licorice root
little ironweed
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
Macaranga indica
magnesium
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Microcos
Milkweed
Morning glory
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
nut grass
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oregano
Oxystelma
paederia foetida
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
pau d'arco
paw paw
Pellitory
Pentatropis capensis
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Physalis angulata
Pink Root
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
Pokeweed
privet
Propolis
protein
punarnava
purple Tephrosia
red alder
red root
red spiderling
resin
Rhus glabra
Rubia yunnanensis
Sandy Everlasting
Sangre de Grado
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Sarcandra glabra
Sargentodoxa
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Serrapeptase
Sesbania
sheep's sorrel
shen-chu
Shikonin
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Smartweed
Smoketree
Smooth Alder
Solanum indicum
Spanish Needle
Speedwell
Spilanthes
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Stillingia
Tagetes
Tannins
Tayuya
Tea Tree Oil
Thuja
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tree of heaven
Trichosanthes
Trypsin
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Viola
Violet
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba Mansa
Zingiberene

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia