Deborah (California, USA) on 01/26/2024

I have stage IV cancer with Lepto Menengeal. It has caused several nerve and muscular issues. A friend and I made this lotion and it is incredible. Long story, short; my feet absolutely do not tingle anymore. I use the TML twice daily. The second time we made it using beef tallow instead of cetaphil. That requires a little different method to mix, but I prefer a creamier thicker lotion. Both require some essential oils to overcome the smell. The cetaphil lotion smells like gin and the tallow one smells like beef and required a bit more lavender. The smell does dissipate once it's applied to the skin.

This stuff is amazing. It works! Thank you so very much! What a God send!

Replied By PayItForward (PNW) on 12/27/2024

Dear Art,

Must the recipe specifically use gin, or can one use vodka in it's place? Thank you for another great post. Happy New Year!

Replied By Marshagail (United States) on 08/04/2025

Hey!!! Please tell me what milligram of Bulk Melatonin I should use - 3mg, 5mg, 10mg, etc!!! Can't wait to try this! So Very Grateful for All of your Xcellent articles & commentsâTM¡

Replied By D Pole (Qld) on 09/24/2025

Does anyone know how I can purchase Melatonin Powder in Australia?

Replied By Mari (El Paso TX) on 12/27/2025

We used vodka instead and it worked great!

Replied By Tim (Victiria Australia) on 06/03/2026

I tried to get the powder from China but they refused to post to Australia. Did you have any luck.? Tim from Sale Gippsland.

Replied By Art (California) on 12/27/2024

Hi PayItForward,

Thank you for saying so!

Yes, vodka can be used in place of gin, however several people who used vodka after trying the gin first, reported that it took more vodka to get the melatonin to fully dissolve than it took for gin. This resulted in the finished lotion being more watery than the gin mix. If that isn't a problem for you, then yes, vodka will work.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 08/04/2025

Hi Marshagail,

If you read past my friends experience with melatonin lotion (ML), you will see the directions on how to make the lotion. Here is a rewrite of how to make it :

Here are simplified instructions for making a three-ounce batch of melatonin lotion without the need for a milligram scale:

1. Prepare Your Ingredients and Container

• Melatonin powder
• Gin
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
• A three ounce jar or bottle

2. Measure Melatonin Powder

• Use a baker's one quarter teaspoon measuring spoon to add 1/4 teaspoon that is level full of melatonin powder into the three or four-ounce jar.

3. Add Gin

• Pour one ounce of gin over the melatonin powder in the jar.

4. Mix Melatonin and Gin

• Secure the lid on the jar and shake it well until the gin appears clear, indicating the melatonin has dissolved.

5. Add Cetaphil Lotion

• Add two ounces of Cetaphil lotion to the jar.

6. Final Mixing

• Replace the lid and shake the jar again until the mixture is thoroughly blended.

7. Usage

• Apply the lotion sparingly up to two times a day or to tolerance. The three-ounce batch should last a long time.

This simplified method uses readily available measuring tools and ensures a consistent, easy-to-make lotion.

Art

Replied By Cindy (iowa) on 08/16/2025

Did you buy the melatonin powder in bulk or open capsules? Is there a safe source to purchase the powder from (ie non gmo/organic?)

Replied By Gerry Smith (a) on 06/14/2026

Dear Art, just found this and am making for my mom who suffers from trigeminal neuropathy which makes it hard to eat or even speak. Where would the best place be to apply? Her face on jawline, or top hairline of her spine?

Replied By Art (California) on 08/16/2025

Hi Cindy,

I use bulk powder to make melatonin lotion (ML). The capsules contain quite a bit of fillers which is not needed in the ML and in fact can make it harder to make because they may not dissolve in the gin and make the lotion feel gritty instead of smooth.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 09/12/2025

Hi Cindy,

I see two sellers on Ebay Australia, but both say "delivery from China".

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 12/27/2025

Hi Mari,

I'm glad the vodka worked out well for your melatonin lotion (ML) mix! Can you say what you are using the ML for and if it is helping?

Thank You, for the feedback!

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 04/30/2026

Hi Janet,

Originally I chose Cetaphil because it is common, has been around for many years and is readily available in many places across the country. The same with Jurgens Ultra Healing Lotion and both have relatively light scents to them. After reading their ingredient lists, I learned that both had transdermal penetration enhancers, which in the case of melatonin lotion is useful.

I did not try coconut oil because some people do not like the smell of coconut oil, but I think it would be harder to make using coconut oil because the gin is needed to dissolve the melatonin and gin and coconut oil do not mix without using extra mixing techniques and I was trying to keep it as simple as possible.

If the problem is too many "other ingredients" in the lotions, you could consider melatonin gel which has much less other ingredients and is also good for the skin and can be applied in more sensitive areas such as around the eyes or anal area. I explain how to make melatonin gel here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/melatonin-gel.html

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 06/04/2026

Hi Tim,

Unfortunately, it appears that Australia has further tightened their restrictions on melatonin making it essentially impossible to get melatonin powder legally at this time for the general public.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 06/04/2026

Hi again, Tim.

I found this one company that says they ship to :

' Healing Herbals proudly offers international shipping. No matter where you are, you can enjoy the benefits of our top-quality products. We've partnered with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ensure that your order reaches you, wherever you may be. '

It might be worth you contacting them by email to see if they will ship to you.

Art

Replied By Gerry Smith (a) on 06/14/2026

Good day art, how best to apply for trigeminal neuropathy, top of spine or jawline?

Replied By Art (California) on 06/14/2026

Hi Gerry,

First, when I use melatonin on my face, I use melatonin gel (MG) because MG has much less other ingredients in it and is less likely to be irritating to the eyes when applying in close proximity to the eyes. MG is made the same way as melatonin lotion(ML), but you substitute Aloe Vera Gel in an equal amount for the lotion. I typically use Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel. The ML can be irritating to the eyes.

To be completely honest with you, this is not one of the current 50 uses I have found for melatonin lotion, so I have no idea if it will help or not, but I would say it is worth a try because many of the known mechanisms of melatonin should be helpful in this condition.

As far as where to apply it, apply to where the pain is present, but in this case, you are probably looking at much of the face. Jawline starting at the side burns and going down to meet the jawline and continue on the jawline until you reach the other sideburn. Apply to the base of the skull, all the way around the outside of each ear, the forehead and just above the eyebrows, the cheeks and just below the eyes, the chin, the temples, the spine at the neck all of the way above the hairline to the base of the skull. If there is pain at the forehead and or temples, it may require application to the scalp.

Gerry, this would be a new use for melatonin gel and any feedback you can give, either negative or positive, would be very helpful for you to share with the EC community.

You will need to get your mother's doctor's approval to make sure it will be compatible with all medications she is taking and to be sure that it will be safe for her to use.

Keep us updated!

Art