Back Pain Relief
★★★★★
Thank you Art for sharing your recommendations on Topical Melatonin Lotion. I am the former CEO of a natural skin care company and continue to be interested in natural remedies for my own use. (I lost my company due to the pandemic after 15 years in business). I made a batch of the melatonin lotion a short while ago and applied it after it had a chance to "marinate". Within about half an hour I noticed that my back/spinal pain had lessened significantly, but that I was also very sleepy all of a sudden and had to lie down and take a nap. Considering that about 70% of all topically applied lotions are absorbed into the bloodstream this was not a big surprise to me. I would be happy to be part of your group and report my findings to you. Please let me know if you are interested in having additional feedback and if so, how to proceed. Thanks.
Hi Sharron,
Thank you for the feedback on the melatonin lotion! I very much appreciate it! You can try adding more lotion to your mixture to reduce the amount of available melatonin per application and, as my friends did, make sure that you are applying it sparingly. It doesn't seem to take much to be effective and the effectiveness seems to increase with continued applications. You can also try just using less melatonin in your initial mixture.
As far as the tiredness related to the application, I have seen this in some people. It seems that people who are very sensitive to oral melatonin also seem to be more sensitive to topical melatonin. If increasing the lotion content or decreasing the melatonin content doesn't help with the tiredness, about all you can do is try your applications later in the day so the tiredness comes when you would normally expect to start getting tired.
As far as feedback, yes definitely! The more feedback we get on this forum, the better for all of us. You are the first on this forum to give an idea of how it works for you. My friends noticed that the positive effects seem to increase with continued applications. All three are barely finishing their first bottle of lotion.
I have two other friends who started recently and both report positive results so far. Today, a third friend started using it for neck pain that did not respond to borax or the DDD/HA/Stopain remedy, although both of those remedies worked for the desired purposes for her. The neck pain seems to be a separate issue and she said she will let me know later in the week if the lotion is helping her neck issue for which she has no diagnosis.
Thank you again for the important feedback, Sharon!
Art
Melatonin Lotion Feedback
★★★★★
I just made my first batch of Art's melatonin lotion. I didn't have Cetaphil and wanted to use something natural, so I opted for 1 hyaluronic acid supplement in 1.5 oz of distilled water instead of Art's 2.5 oz of Cetaphil lotion. Since I have a magnetic stirrer and glass beakers, I used them to make a fast batch. I also have a small gram scale from Amazon that I used. I tried using a bigger postage scale with gram measurements but didn't get an accurate readout for only 1 gram.
I dissolved the melatonin first in the gin in a beaker with the magnetic stirrer. I separately dissolved the capsule of HA in distilled water in another beaker before adding it to the melatonin/gin. Once mixed, I then poured the concoction into an empty glass spray bottle and tested it on my hands.
One spray was a perfect amount for the top of each hand. It absorbed rapidly and left behind silky soft skin.
- 1 gram of melatonin powder
- 1.5 oz of distilled water
- 1.5 oz of gin
- One hyaluronic acid capsule (60 mg per capsule)
- Gram Scale : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TBJBFRK
- Magnetic Stirrer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K24X5P
- Glass Beaker Set (small): https://www.amazon.com/Borosilicate-Measuring-Set-V-Shaped-Kitchen-Restaurant/dp/B0BC7QZFX6
- Hyaluronic Acid: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OUKO8
- Melatonin Powder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JV46FFU/
- Gin - local liquor store
I'll update later on pain relief and skin improvement and whether or not the formula clogged the spray nozzle! Thank you, Art! Very excited to try this.
Melatonin Lotion Feedback
★★★★★
Thank you, Art, for sharing your recommendations on Topical Melatonin Lotion and the positive effects it has had on your friends! I, too, have back & shoulder pain as well as knee osteoarthritis, so I would like to try the lotion. I just have a few questions:
1. Is it safe to use Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion long-term, given its chemical make-up?
2. Would using virgin coconut oil be a safer alternative to Cetaphil?
3. Since we use vodka in place of alcohol, would substituting vodka for the gin give the same positive results?
Thanks in advance for your help!
(Oregon, USA)
11/14/2023
Thank you for writing out your questions to Art. My questions are similar. Cetaphil lotion is not too bad, but not good either. I agree with your coconut oil suggestion as long as it's organic. I wonder why Art specifically adds gin as an ingredient. Higher quality gins do have natural botanicals in their formulas.
Hi Marlena,
Since you feel Cetaphil lotion is not too bad, the gin is essentially diluting the lotion which means that you are getting less of the bad in the final mix, but if you have a preference for another safer lotion in place of the Cetaphil Lotion, you can try that and let us know how it works for you.
The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is readily available, not too expensive and many people are already familiar with it.
Regarding the use of gin, it is because of the juniper berry and botanical content which imparts a fresh scent and may offer other benefit imo. Here is a link discussing a few of those important benefits :
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/juniper-berries
Here are some relevant quotes from the article :
' Juniper berries are high in vitamin C, flavonoid antioxidants, monoterpenes, and coumarins, all of which may offer various health benefits.'
' Juniper berries contain essential oils and flavonoids that offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.'
' Some rodent studies indicate that juniper berry extract may improve high blood sugar levels, though research in humans is lacking.'
' Some animal research suggests that juniper berry extract may improve heart disease risk factors, but studies in humans are lacking. '
' Test-tube and animal studies indicate that juniper berry extract provides strong antibacterial and antifungal effects. However, human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.'
Again, for me the importance is in the effects of the lotion as unobtrusively as possible as well as the ease with which it can be made by the majority of people at home and not so much in the fine tuning to personal tastes.
If you do try VCO or another lotion, please come back and let us know how it works for you.
Art
S,
1. As regards the safety of Cetaphil lotion, I chose it for its longevity as it has been around for many many years in thousands of users which should have well exposed safety issues with it. I am not saying it is the only lotion that can be used, but it is readily available online and in stores. I think most lotions will also work if an individual has a preference.
2. Coconut oil is a natural product that has a known safety profile, but I would never have considered it because many people do not like the smell of coconut oil and some people already consider Cetaphil to have a less than desirable smell, even though the fragrance is extremely light to me. Some people do not like the oily feel of coconut oil until it is absorbed fully. If you try a coconut oil mix, let us know how it works for you.
3. Vodka will work similarly to the gin. I chose gin because of the juniper berry content and botanical content and it seems to have a very mild alcohol smell that essentially disappears once the mix is complete.
Art
(NSW)
11/14/2023
Yes I am questioning the use of the chemical ingredients of Cetaphil as well. I'm finding it's so hard to find ANY product that has safe ingredients??!! My skin is so dry as I've given up searching as it's a mind field of so many companies claiming their products are all natural, but they're not!!! I use a little coconut oil and olive oil sometimes but I get over the greasiness of them.
Hi Karen,
I am only reporting the mix that my friends found useful for their issues, but this is not carved in stone. If you have a lotion that you feel is safer, please try it and let us know how it works for you as I am sure others will want to know also.
Art
(Cabarlah, Qld.)
11/18/2023
(Wake Forest, NC)
11/28/2023
(NEW YORK)
11/14/2023
Hi Mary,
I just now had time to measure out a gram of melatonin powder. This is a very inaccurate way to measure because measuring spoons vary by country and by manufacturer. I have several measuring spoon sets and all of them are different from each other, but this is what I found with one of my sets and using a digital milligram scale. A one quarter teaspoon at level full equaled 760 mg. I added a one eight teaspoon at level full and this brought the total mg up to 1, 120 or 120 mg more than my friends used for their mixes. If you divide the one quarter teaspoon of 760 mg in half, that equals 380 mg which should be very close to one eighth teaspoon. So when you add that 380 mg to the 780 mg, that equals 1, 140 mg. So the 1, 120 mg is close to the 1, 140 mg suggesting that this is about as close as I will be able to get using measiring spoons to get close to a gram. It takes 1000 mg to equal one gram, which is the desired amount of melatonin that my friends used in a 4 ounce mix.
So if your measuring spoons are similar to mine, It will take one level full quarter teaspoon plus a one eight teaspoon that is just shy of being level full to get to the desired one gram or 1000 mg area.
Because this is not an accurate way to measure, I am not recommending that you do this just letting you know what my level full one quarter teaspoon and level full one eight teaspoon weigh on my digital milligram scale when weighing melatonin powder.
Art
Mary,
I have an idea to simplify making the melatonin lotion since you don't use a milligram scale. Make just 3 ounces of lotion at a time instead of 4 ounces in the following way :
- Take your four-ounce jar and add one level full one-quarter measuring teaspoon of melatonin powder into the jar.
- Add one ounce of gin to the melatonin in the jar. Replace the lid and shake well until the gin looks clear again.
- Add 2 ounces of Cetaphil lotion to the jar. Replace the lid and shake until well-mixed.
This is the simplest I could figure out for using measuring teaspoons. The 3 ounces will still last a very long time. Remember that my friends said that they apply sparingly.
Art
Hi Susan,
Melatonin will only partially dissolve in most lotions, the end result is that you will have a significantly weaker mix than what my friends used. Melatonin has high solubility in ethanol and that is the reason that they used it. Do you have a problem with using gin?
Art
(NC)
11/29/2023
I find alcohol drying, so I avoid it in my skin care. (I prefer it in a glass, neat. ;)
Melatonin Lotion Feedback
★★★★★
Interesting article. I make lotions including one with magnesium and Naproxen for pain. Usually I use a rate of 1st of each. Melatonin in powder is pretty expensive. Any idea what the usage rate for a lotion is? Thank you.
Hi Diana,
Thank you for saying so!
Actually I consider melatonin powder relatively inexpensive as it applies to this lotion which only requires one gram per four ounces of lotion at a cost of roughly one dollar of melatonin per mix which does not seem like much for an active component imo.
Usage rate will vary by the amount being applied and the area being covered. If you are only applying to the neck or lower back, the lotion should be fairly long lasting as my friends mentioned in their answers to my questions. All three reported applying sparingly which would also add to the lifespan of each jar.
None of the three have used up their first four ounce jar yet. Lydia is the one I consider to be using the most as she is using it on her lower back, neck, shoulders and muscles that are impacted by her disease and she is still using her first jar.
Very importantly, all three are finding significant benefit with their lotion with only two applications per day with benefit beyond what Stopain was able to offer them with regular use. Melatonin has a very good safety profile. All three have told me they enjoy the simplicity of making this lotion themselves at home.
Art
(Cabarlah, Qld.)
11/18/2023
In Australia, melatonin is considered a medicine and not a food supplement as in the USA. Thus, a Dr.prescription required and about the max. would be 2mg-3mg. prescribed.
Hi Frances,
Yes, unfortunately, outside of the US, generally requires a prescription in many places in the world. I find the logic for this restriction unfathomable given the excellent safety profile of melatonin which is safer than ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen or aspirin which they allow you to buy in unlimited amounts and these generally offer little to no other health benefit other than pain relief. Add in the many health benefits that melatonin has shown in humans, animals and plant life and the restriction becomes even more absurd. I mean how does a government organization that is supposed to be operating for your health and safety make such a judgement about something that is so healthful for you?
To give a little perspective, acetaminophen/Tylenol toxicity is the number two cause of liver transplantation worldwide and the number one cause in the US! It is responsible for 56, 000 emergency room visits per year and causes 500 deaths per year, but you can buy all you want from any grocery store.
On the other hand, from 2012 to 2021, there were two deaths in children and these were attributed gummies candy style melatonin that the children ate like they were candy because the parents left them out. So if you take that same 9 year period and estimate that 500 people die per year from acetaminophen, that's 4, 500 deaths compared to 2 for melatonin.
A relevant quote from the article ;
' A study of poison control calls in the U.S. found the number of melatonin poisoning–related calls increased six times from 2012 to 2021. Of these calls, more than 4, 000 teens and children were hospitalized and two died. '
To give a bit more perspective, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin are all NSAIDS. In the US alone, 15, 600 deaths occur per year and 107, 000 hospitalizations due to NSAIDS as discussed here :
A relevant quote from the article :
' One study estimates that NSAIDs — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat pain and inflammation — are responsible for 107, 000 hospitalizations and 15, 600 deaths a year in the U.S. '
Possible side effects of ibuprofen use
When used incorrectly, especially chronically, negative effects can include:
- Diarrhea.
- Gastrointestinal problems, including bleeding.
- Heart attack.
- Heart failure.
- High blood pressure.
- Kidney damage.
- Liver toxicity.
- Low sodium levels.
- Nausea.
- Stroke.
- Ulcers.
- Upset stomach.'
When you look at this list, melatonin has been shown in studies to help many of these items, not cause them.
This to me says that the people running these government regulatory agencies should reconsider their positions on melatonin requiring a prescription when the named NSAIDS above can be bought with no restrictions at all!
I think the same should apply to borax also as it banned in many areas of the world, yet how many people die form borax in the US each year, where you can buy it in any quantity in any laundry aisle in the country everyday with no restrictions. If you can find the number of people who die from borax consumption each year in the US, please post it because I couldn't find that number. There are words to describe this situation more accurately, but I can't say them here.
Art
Melatonin Lotion Feedback
Melatonin Lotion plus oral melatonin?
Question for Art please. I usually take 2,500 mcg capsules of Melatonin at night for help sleeping. Do you have any suggestions or advice for using some Melatonin Lotion for neck and shoulder aches?
Thank you. I appreciate your information.
Hi Jan, The dose of melatonin you are taking is pretty low at just 2.5 mg per night to help you sleep. It might be better to skip the oral melatonin while you are testing topical melatonin so you will know clearly and exactly how you are reacting to the topical lotion. Once you understand how you respond to the topical melatonin, then you can resume the oral melatonin if you feel you still need it. Art
Melatonin Lotion Feedback
I take melatonin tablets-10 mg, for a sleep disorder along with numbness & pain in my back, feet, and hands(carpal tunnel) Would the tabs be just as helpful as your mixture?
Thank you (looking forward to a sucessfull outcome)
Sincerely
Richard
Hi Rusty,
Oral melatonin at higher dosing had no benefit for my three friends as far as their spinal, muscle and joint pains as all three were already taking oral melatonin. The lotion was able to help them in a way that the oral dosing could not and this is likely because the lotion allows significantly higher local tissue concentrations of melatonin that their higher oral dosing could never achieve as the oral dose is essentially dispersed throughout the body whereas the lotion gives a higher tissue concentration in the specific area where it is applied.
Art
(America)
11/15/2023
Art, thank you for the recipe! I put it together today and will try it on my back and hips before bed. I will give it a few weeks and then give feedback!
Hi Hollyhock,
Your feedback will be very useful since I have not tried it for hip pain yet.
Thank you!
Art
Where to Buy
I visited the Amazon site for powdered melatonin and confused about what strength to buy. There are bags with 3mg strength, 10mg They are different price from $20. To $40. Depending on size and strength and then there was a choice of laboratory grade 99.9% pure strength for $200. + or -?
Hi Dave,
Melatonin powder is available in one strength, but manufacturers describe using different amounts to equal so many milligrams such as 3 mg or 10 mg. They are basically mentioning the dose they are recommending and sometimes include a scoop for the amount they are recommending.
So any bulk powder melatonin should work. Earth Clinic has posted an easier mix that requires just one, 1/4 teaspoon at level full to make a 3 ounce melatonin lotion mix. You can find that in the original article where it has been added today.
A $20 bag of melatonin powder should contain about 25 grams of melatonin and that should be enough melatonin to make at least 25 mixes of melatonin lotion.
Skip the $200 bag of melatonin. My friends used the bag of melatonin that EC linked to in the article which is around $20.
Art
Where to Buy
My name is Hyacinth. I receive Earth Clinic emails. I particularly want to find out about the email sent today regarding Topical Melatonin Powder and the Cetaphil Moisturing Lotion to make to recipe for topical pains in lower back, neck and shoulder.
I called a Homeopathic Pharmacy but they did not have it, as I bought two other items related to Earth Clinic's email. I am really interested to know where the Pure Melatonin Powder and the Cetaphil Moisurizing Lotion could be bought as there was no note of this on the link. Thanks.
(NC)
11/14/2023
Hya, Hyacinth!
I noted this in the links above --- maybe it was a later addition?
Am doing research for my brother and a couple of friends, and maybe for myself before too long since 69 y/o knees feeling the stresses now.
Where to Buy Melatonin Powder
Bulk Supplements sells a large bag of pure melatonin powder reasonably priced.
Melatonin Powder Bulk Supplements - $18.96 for 25 grams - 8,333 servings
Hi Hyacinth,
I didn't actually add any links for ingredients in the article, but I believe this is the link that EC put into the article for melatonin powder :
This bag will be enough for 25 four ounce jars of the mix described in the article.
This is the common lotion that my friends used to make their melatonin lotion :
This bottle will make approximately eight 4 oz. batches of the lotion.
This is the gin that they used that cost under $20 for the bottle at Costco:
https://www.costcuisine.com/post/costco-kirkland-signature-london-dry-gin-review
This bottle will make approximately over 23 of the four ounce mixes. They chose this gin because of the number of listed botanicals (9 botanicals) in it as well as the price.
I am not recommending these three products, just showing what my friends used for their mixes. I would think that similar products would work similarly.
Art
I will ask EC if they can add these other two links to the article.
EC: Thanks, Art. Links added to the bottom of the article!