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

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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 been traditionally used to support the treatment of boils. This practice dates back many decades and is rooted in folk and home remedies. The typical method involves soaking a cloth in a warm solution of Epsom salt and applying it as a compress to the affected area. The rationale is that magnesium sulfate can help draw out pus, reduce swelling, and hasten the boil’s natural healing process by promoting drainage.

However, scientific evidence for the efficacy of magnesium sulfate in treating boils is limited. While there are anecdotal reports and some case series suggesting it may provide symptomatic relief by creating a hyperosmotic environment that helps draw fluid from the boil, high-quality clinical trials are lacking. Most contemporary guidelines for boil management recommend warm compresses (which may or may not contain Epsom salt), good hygiene, and, in some cases, medical intervention such as incision and drainage or antibiotics.

In summary, while magnesium (as Epsom salt) is widely used in folk medicine to support the healing of boils, robust scientific validation is not available. Its use is primarily justified by tradition, and while it is generally considered safe as a topical compress, its effectiveness is supported by only low to moderate levels of evidence.

More about magnesium
More about Boils

Other ingredients used for Boils

Abrus
Abuta
Acacia
Achyranthes
Aconite
Activated charcoal
Aerva lanata
Agave
Agrimony
Ajoene
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Allicin
Alliin
Allspice
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
amber
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Ampelopsis
anamu
andrographolide
anthraquinone
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
Aquilegia viridiflora
Arani
Ardisia
Arisaema
arnica
Asam gelugor
ash
Asteraceae
avens
babchi
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
bai ji
Baliospermum
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
Bassia scoparia
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
bentonite
benzoin
benzyl isothiocyanate
bermuda grass
Bidens pilosa
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black galingale
black nightshade
black root
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackboard tree
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
boxthorne
Brazilian peppertree
buckthorn
burdock
Butea monosperma
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
Calendula
California pitcher plant
Calotropis gigantea
camphor oil
capillary artemisia
carry me seed
castile soap
cedar
Cedrus libani
Celosia
Centipeda
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chiococca alba
chrysophanics
cinquefoil
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum indicum
clove
cocklebur
coconut
colloidal silver
commiphora
copaiba oil
cowage seed
cowherb
croton seeds
curcumin
curry leaf
Cyathula
Cynodon dactylon
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
devil\'s club
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
dragon\'s blood
Echinacea
Eclipta
elephant\'s head
Embelia
emu oil
Erodium cicutarium
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
eugenol
Eupatorium
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
fang-feng
fern
ferula assafoetida
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
figwort
fleabane
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
gallotannin
garlic
garlic bulb
Genipa americana
geranium
ghatti
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
golden shower tree
goldenseal
heal-all
Hedyotis
hemp
henna
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
Homalomena
honey
hound\'s tongue
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Hydrocolloid
Immortelle
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian kinotree
Indian nightshade
indigo leaves
Iris
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
jojoba oil
jungli-bean
Kachnar
Kamala
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
Lantana camara
lavender
Lebbek
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
Lesser speargrass
Levant cotton
lichen
Litsea
little ironweed
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
Lycopodium
Lygodium
Macaranga indica
magnesium
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Melia
Mesua
Microcos
Milkweed
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Morning glory
Mountain mahogany
Mugwort
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Neem tree
Nimbidin
nut grass
Oak
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
Oxystelma
paederia foetida
Pansit-pansitan
Paris polyphylla
parsley
Patrinia
paw paw
Pellitory
Pepper Bark Tree
Petiveria
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
polymorpha
poppy
Premna
prepared aconite tuber
Propolis
Psacalium peltatum
punarnava
purified silver
purple Tephrosia
Pyrrosia
Quisqualis
red spiderling
resin
Rhus glabra
ricinoleic acid
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
rue
Sangre de Grado
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Savory
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Sesbania
shen-chu
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Smartweed
Smoketree
Smooth Alder
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Southern Tsangshu
Spanish Needle
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
Spilanthes
squawvine
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Stillingia
Stone Root
Streptomyces
Sweet Annie
Sword Bean
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tannins
Tayuya
Tea Tree Oil
Terpenoids
Terpinen-4-ol
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
Thuja
thyme
Thymol
Thymus
Trichosanthes
Tulbaghia
turmeric
typhonium
Varuna
Viola
Violet
vitamin C
vitamin E
Waltheria ovata
Water Pepper
White oak
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wrightia tinctoria
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba Mansa
zanthoxylum
Zinc

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