Magnesium

The most-studied mineral in balneology.

What it is

Magnesium is the mineral most studied in balneology and the dominant cation in Dead Sea brine and many mineral springs. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) baths are a popular home remedy for sore muscles.

In hot springs

Magnesium ranges from under 1 mg/L to over 100 mg/L. Magnesium-rich springs have a long traditional use for muscle soreness and skin conditions, and magnesium-salt bathing is the best-evidenced corner of mineral-water therapy.

Cited benefits and context

A 2005 study found that bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improved skin barrier function, enhanced skin hydration, and reduced inflammation in atopic dry skin (Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution, 2005).

Balneotherapy with thermal mineral water has been studied for psoriasis and eczema, covered in a 2024 review of balneotherapy for dermatological disease (Springer, 2024). Systematic reviews note balneotherapy may benefit some rheumatological conditions, though evidence is not conclusive (PubMed 19570124; PMC7383020).

Whether magnesium is absorbed through intact skin in clinically meaningful amounts remains debated. The benefits observed in studies may come from the bathing regimen overall (warmth, duration, mineral context) rather than magnesium uptake alone.

Cautions

Benefits are modest and adjunctive, not a treatment for psoriasis, eczema, or any condition. Evidence is mixed in quality. See a dermatologist for skin conditions rather than self-treating with soaks.

Springs ranked by most magnesium

153 springs with verified magnesium data · showing top 50 · source: USGS Water Quality Portal

  1. 1

    The Landusky Plunge

    mt · 77°F · primitive

    190 mg/L

  2. 2

    Goldbug Hot Springs

    id · 136°F · primitive

    120 mg/L

  3. 3

    Big Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    120 mg/L

  4. 4

    Bald Mountain Hot Springs

    id · 115°F · primitive

    101 mg/L

  5. 5

    Alpine Warm Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    100 mg/L

  6. 6

    Heise Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · developed

    82 mg/L

  7. 7

    Malad Warm Spring

    id · 90°F · primitive

    79 mg/L

  8. 8

    Alkali Flats Warm Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    68 mg/L

  9. 9

    Deer Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    64 mg/L

  10. 10

    Hot Springs State Park

    wy · 104°F · primitive

    63 mg/L

  11. 11

    Bear Lake Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · developed

    55 mg/L

  12. 12

    Prices Warm Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    50 mg/L

  13. 13

    Mammoth Hot Springs

    wy · 162°F · developed

    48 mg/L

  14. 14

    Cleveland Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    46.70 mg/L

  15. 15

    Woodruff Hot Spring

    id · 102°F · primitive

    45 mg/L

  16. 16

    Brockman Creek Hot Spring

    id · 102°F · primitive

    41 mg/L

  17. 17

    Alhambra Hot Springs

    mt · 100°F · resort

    40.50 mg/L

  18. 18

    Rock Creek Hot Springs

    mt · 112°F · primitive

    37 mg/L

  19. 19

    Cottonwood Hot Springs

    id · 100°F · developed

    36 mg/L

  20. 20

    Yandell Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    35 mg/L

  21. 21

    Rockland Warm Springs

    id · 85°F · primitive

    33 mg/L

  22. 22

    Warm Springs

    id · 85°F · primitive

    33 mg/L

  23. 23

    Pleasantview Warm Springs

    id · 85°F · primitive

    33 mg/L

  24. 24

    Lava Hot Springs

    id · 130°F · developed

    32 mg/L

  25. 25

    Pincock (Green Canyon) Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    30 mg/L

  26. 26

    Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    28 mg/L

  27. 27

    Ennis Hot Springs

    mt · 193°F · resort

    26 mg/L

  28. 28

    Owen Cabin Hot Spring

    id · 102°F · primitive

    24.40 mg/L

  29. 29

    Maple Grove Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    24 mg/L

  30. 30

    Tadpole Warm Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    23.70 mg/L

  31. 31

    Squaw Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    23 mg/L

  32. 32

    Keithly Warm Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    23 mg/L

  33. 33

    Broadwater Hot Springs

    mt · 151°F · resort

    22 mg/L

  34. 34

    Yellowstone Hot Springs

    mt · 104°F · resort

    20.70 mg/L

  35. 35

    Banbury Hot Spring

    id · 102°F · primitive

    19 mg/L

  36. 36

    Indian Springs (Resort)

    id · 102°F · developed

    19 mg/L

  37. 37

    Taylor Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    19 mg/L

  38. 38

    Barney Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    19 mg/L

  39. 39

    Marsh Gully Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    17 mg/L

  40. 40

    Battle Creek Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    16 mg/L

  41. 41

    Beardsley Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    16 mg/L

  42. 42

    Wild Horse Hot Springs

    mt · 102°F · developed

    15.60 mg/L

  43. 43

    Downata Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · developed

    15 mg/L

  44. 44

    Lake Walcott Hot Spring

    id · 102°F · primitive

    15 mg/L

  45. 45

    Whittaker Warm Springs

    id · 85°F · primitive

    11 mg/L

  46. 46

    Sullivan Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · primitive

    11 mg/L

  47. 47

    Boulder Hot Springs

    mt · 102°F · resort

    11 mg/L

  48. 48

    Boiling River

    wy · 199°F · primitive

    9.24 mg/L

  49. 49

    Haileys Hot Springs

    id · 102°F · developed

    8.70 mg/L

  50. 50

    Grape Creek Warm Spring

    id · 85°F · primitive

    8.70 mg/L

Sources

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