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Topical Melatonin Lotion for Pain Relief: Recipe + Success Stories

on Nov 13, 2023| Modified on Nov 11, 2024
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Melatonin Lotion for Pain Relief.

In a previous article, I discussed the benefits of melatonin for spinal health, which you can read about here: Melatonin and Spine Health.

Currently, I'm sharing the experiences of three friends who have seen encouraging outcomes from using topical melatonin to alleviate pain in their neck and lower back. Initially, I planned to observe and report on their progress after a month. However, due to the positive results observed in the first two individuals, I advised my third friend, Lydia, to begin using topical melatonin sooner than planned. Lydia was initially set to test an oral supplement for a different health condition for a month before trying topical melatonin. Upon my suggestion and seeing the success of the others, she decided to start the topical melatonin treatment immediately without waiting.

Greg's Story

The first of the three friends, Greg, has had issues with lower back pain for at least five years. The pain would come and go, and at its best it was a low-level nagging pain in his lower back area that Greg said he was constantly aware of, especially when standing up from a seated position. At its worst, he said it was very difficult and painful to stand from a seated position and it could take time for him to straighten out, but he could not stand fully erect because it was too painful. So when his back pain was bad he could only stand with a bent forward appearance and he could not move very well. Greg had never discussed his lower back pain with his doctor, so he did not have a clinical diagnosis of the problem. He just attributed the pain to age and wear and tear on his spine from many years of working in construction.

Greg asked me if I had any suggestions for his back pain, and since he had no diagnosis, I initially suggested Stopain roll on. So he tried that for a month and said it did offer significant pain relief, but in order to maintain that relief required reapplication of Stopain every 5 to 6 hours, and if he was very active he might have to reapply every 3 to 4 hours and he said it was not very convenient for such frequent applications to maintain the pain relief.

Since Stopain was apparently not going to be a viable solution after testing it for a month, I suggested topical melatonin as a fairly noninvasive approach since he did not have an actual diagnosis of what was causing his back pain. I discussed with him the health benefits that melatonin has shown in studies related to melatonin and the spine as well as melatonin having a very good safety profile. He agreed and started using topical melatonin right away. I suggested that he apply it to his whole spine, not just the lower back where he had pain. He told me that after his first application, he did notice some pain relief, but not as much as he got with Stopain.

He said he was applying it sparingly, just twice a day, in the morning and the afternoon, and it was giving about the same pain relief for the first 3 or 4 days, but he said by the end of the week, the pain relief level was at least as good as the frequently applied Stopain. The following week he said he had little to no noticeable pain and was very happy with his results. I suggested that he continue using the topical melatonin at least once a day every afternoon or evening in order to see if the melatonin could help his spinal pain be eliminated entirely, and he said he would. Recently, we spoke and he said he is still applying the topical to his spine at night and is experiencing no pain.

In my last conversation with Greg, he said that he is going to continue applying the lotion to his spine in the evening and reports that he has had just a couple of quickly passing twinges of pain and feels that he is essentially normal now, but wants to continue to apply the lotion to his spine to try and keep his back in a more optimal condition indefinitely! In talking to Greg, I can see he is really surprised at his positive results for such longstanding back pain, but I can also detect some doubt on his part, but he is unable to argue with his positive results!

Al's Story

The second friend, Al, has pain in the mid and lower right side of his neck and the pain radiated outward toward his right shoulder. He told me that this had been an increasing problem for the past 6 months or so and he was noticing significant muscle tension on the right side of his spine between the shoulder blade and the spine. He said the pain would be very noticeable when sitting and watching tv or working on the computer. As with Greg, I initially suggested Stopain because Al did not have a diagnosis of what was causing the pain and stiffness in his neck and shoulder and he didn't want to go to the doctor to see if his doctor could figure out what was wrong because he didn't feel confident in his doctor for this purpose.

With the use of Stopain, Al said his symptoms were reduced by about 50 to 60% and he also said it required 4 to 5 applications during his waking hours to maintain that effect and he also said it wasn't very convenient to do so many applications per day. So I discussed topical melatonin with him and explained some of the potential benefits for the spine and he said he wanted to try it in place of the Stopain. He started using it right away and like, Greg, he felt it wasn't as effective as Stopain, but he said he only applied it in the morning and afternoon, which to him was much more convenient. The first day he noticed about a 40% decrease in pain and by the end of the week he felt it was right around a 50% pain reduction. By the end of the second week, he felt he was getting slightly more pain relief than Stopain had given him or about a 60% to  65% improvement. By the third week he felt there was a significant improvement over the previous week to about an 80% reduction in pain. He also said the muscle tension had significantly reduced as had the shoulder pain which was almost completely gone.

Al said he was still applying it in the morning and again in the afternoon everyday and felt that it was now easily more effective than Stopain had been. He said he will continue these applications indefinitely because he feels, up to this point, there has been a cumulative effect in his neck pain management, muscle tension and he said his shoulder pain is better also. He also told me he can now do stretching exercises for his neck and feels significant improvement now. He said he would update me about any other changes he notices.

In our last conversation Al said that he feels he is holding in the 80% pain reduction area with longer periods where he forgets that he has a problem with his neck in terms of pain and discomfort. He also told me that he is only applying the topical lotion once a day now and the pain radiating out to his shoulder is apparently gone.

In this last talk with Al, he said he is going to go back to twice a day application to see if he can get even more benefit from the lotion. He told me that he is pretty much amazed at his results and plans to continue using the lotion and possibly applying it to his whole spine instead of just the neck area. He also mentioned that the periods where he forgets that he has a problem with his neck are increasing!

Lydia's Story

This brings us to my third friend, Lydia, who has a muscle disease(MD/FSH) diagnosed by two doctors and it causes muscle degeneration and muscle pain on top of the spinal related pain and her doctor's feel the muscle disease is a major contributing factor to her spinal pain. The muscle degeneration has caused significant pain in her neck, lower back and her spine in general. It also causes muscle pain. She was in the process of testing GABA for an unrelated issue and I initially suggested to her to finish her test of GABA before adding topical melatonin to her regimen, but after I saw how Greg and Al were doing, I suggested that she postpone her GABA testing and start with topical melatonin. She agreed to start topical melatonin, but she chose to continue her GABA testing anyway. I let her know that topically applied melatonin can ultimately enter the blood stream and cause sleepiness in some people and that oral GABA can also cause sleepiness and the two together are thought to be synergistic in terms of sleep promotion. Lydia said she understood, but wanted to do both anyway.

Lydia also started with two applications of topical melatonin, like Greg and Al, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
She told me that the first day of applying topical melatonin gave a little relief from the pain and stiffness in her neck, but not as much relief as the Stopain roll on she had been using. She reported similar effects the second and third days.

Around the third day, she let me know that she was getting very sleepy during the day and I reminded her about the potential synergy between the oral GABA and the topical melatonin and suggested she stop the GABA for awhile to try and get a more accurate idea of what the topical melatonin was doing, but she told me she didn't want to stop either one and instead would take her two applications of topical melatonin in the afternoon and before bedtime and see if that resolved the daytime sleepiness.  Apparently it helped because she did not mention the daytime sleepiness again. Around one and a half weeks in she told me that she felt about a 70% relief of pain in her neck and lower back as well as slight improvement with tightness in her neck and muscle pain as she now had increased range of motion there and this was better than other things she had previously tried for the purpose. Overall she seemed very happy with her results so far and will receive further verification if it helped relax her neck muscles at her next chiropractor appointment which she said she will share those results with me this coming week.

As promised, Lydia called to let me know how her chiropractor appointment went. She told me her chiropractor confirmed that she had increased range of motion and her neck muscles were significantly more relaxed than in previous visits, making it easier for him to make the needed adjustments. She seemed very happy with his report as she seems to put a lot of weight into what he has to say, and she seemed happy that he confirmed what she thought the lotion was doing for her. I can hear in Lydia's voice a sense of happiness, relief and excitement as she discusses these positive changes that she is experiencing. She estimated that she feels about 75% better in terms of lower back, neck pain, muscle pain and muscle tightness and she made no mention of daytime tiredness this time either. She said she is still applying twice a day, once in the afternoon and once in the evening. She also reiterated that she feels the benefit has seemed to have increased with two a day applications easily surpassing the Stopain roll on that she was using. She mentioned that she is now able to do her swimming exercises for a longer period before having to take a rest and then she is able to continue exercising a bit more. When I look at her now I see that she appears to have more energy and seems happier. In my last talk with Lydia, she said that she will now highly recommend this lotion to her friends with muscular dystrophy!

I often mention that melatonin is protective of the major organs of the body and this includes the muscles which is the largest organ in the body.  I plan to follow Lydia's progress closely since she has a muscle disease (MDFSH) for which there aren't any effective treatments and hopefully the topical melatonin will offer her further benefit in that area that oral melatonin does not.

So, all three friends are very happy with their results so far and plan to continue with daily applications to see exactly how much benefit they are able to get from topical melatonin over time. They are also quite happy that they were able to make this remedy themselves at home with common ingredients easily. Overall, for such a relatively short period of application, their results seem very impressive and cumulative, as in improvement seems to increase with continued use, at least within the first month of use.

It was very helpful for me to have a basis for comparison that all three friends were previously using Stopain roll on and could compare their topical melatonin results to the effects of regular use of Stopain.

What They Used For Topical Melatonin Lotion (TML)

So, these three friends used the same TML they each made themselves. They used an empty four-ounce jar and added one gram of pure melatonin powder and one and a half ounce  (1.5 oz.)  of gin and shook until all the melatonin had dissolved. Once the melatonin was completely dissolved and the gin looked clear again, they added two and a half ounces (2.5 oz.) of Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion to the mixing jar and shook until the contents were well mixed. They applied this mix sparingly, twice a day as noted above. They said the mix seems like it will last for quite awhile and applies very smoothly and easily. It only has a minimal odor from the lotion which they said was quite mild and did not bother them at all. Lydia commented that she liked the easy spreadability of the lotion mix. There are commercial lotions and creams of melatonin available, but they tend to be relatively weak, small and or expensive. Some products may seem to be for topical use, but are often sprays intended for spraying in the mouth and are generally sweetened and flavored and relatively low dose. My friends chose to make their own topical because they wanted to know exactly what was in it. The initial ingredients cost is a little pricey, but once you figure out how many refills you can get from those initial ingredients, the price is very reasonable.

Instructions

Gather Ingredients and Container:

  • 1 gram of pure melatonin powder
  • 1.5 ounces of gin
  • 2.5 ounces of Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
  • An empty four-ounce jar

Step 1: Add 1 gram of pure melatonin powder to the empty four-ounce jar.

Step 2: Pour 1.5 ounces of gin into the jar with the melatonin powder.

Step 3: Shake the jar vigorously until the melatonin completely dissolves and the gin appears clear.

Step 4: Add 2.5 ounces of Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion to the jar.

Step 5: Shake the jar again until all the ingredients are well mixed and the lotion is smooth.

Application: Apply the lotion mix sparingly, twice a day.

Simplified Recipe: For Those Without a Milligram Scale

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 four-ounce jar

2. Measure Melatonin Powder

  • Use a quarter measuring teaspoon to add one level full of melatonin powder into the 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 as needed. 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.

Additional Notes:

The above is a relatively strong mix that these friends chose to use because they had all taken higher dose oral melatonin and tolerated it well. A milder mix would be the use of 500 mg of pure melatonin powder instead of a gram, with the other two ingredients remaining the same. This might be a more tolerable dose for some people to consider who can only tolerate moderate or lower oral dosing of melatonin.

I find the use of topical melatonin intriguing as a potential way to add another avenue to help fully take advantage of the potential health benefits of melatonin beyond what practical oral dosing of melatonin is capable of and I like the specific potential that topically applied melatonin may offer to the spine, muscles, nerves and joints.

Another friend heard that these three were having a positive experience with use of topical melatonin and has decided to try it as soon as she can get the ingredients and make it. I will report on her experience when she gives me feedback. The more confirmation I get on the effectiveness of topical melatonin for these purposes, the better and more useful the information will be to more people.

Cautions

I am not recommending this mix or topical melatonin, just relating what my friends are using and finding beneficial for their particular situations.

Given that some people do not tolerate melatonin and the fact that melatonin when applied topically has shown the ability to reach the blood circulation as Lydia found with her experience and the fact that I have seen this happen before in other friends, it is highly likely that if you do not tolerate oral melatonin, topical melatonin may give you the same negative effects as oral melatonin. If you are thinking of trying topical melatonin, I highly recommend that you get your doctor's approval and supervision before trying topical melatonin. Melatonin is contraindicated with certain medications or is known to cause adverse events with certain medications. All three of my friends have used higher dose oral melatonin so they already knew that they tolerated melatonin well and wanted to try the topical application to see if it might help their respective back, shoulder, muscle and neck pains where oral melatonin did not. I would like to emphasize the fact that all three friends said they used the lotion very sparingly to achieve their results.

Two of my friends had no diagnosis, so it is impossible to know why melatonin helped them other than some of melatonin's known methods of action. It seems highly unlikely that melatonin will help all causes of back and neck pain. Still, for the three of them, it offered very significant relief and is a noninvasive approach compared to other treatments that can be considered very invasive. Lydia had a diagnosis that was not directly related to the spinal pain issues but is known to cause spinal pain in many people with her disease because of the poor muscle condition.

Since Lydia mentioned she felt some relief from her muscle pain and tension, I told her that melatonin does improve muscle and joint pain in studies. Melatonin is also known to improve mitochondrial function throughout the body, including the muscles and her topical application is allowing melatonin to reach higher local tissue levels than can likely be gotten from oral dosing, even at higher levels. The fact that she never felt that pain relief from taking higher dose oral melatonin tends to support that idea. The following study discusses how melatonin is beneficial for muscles and mitochondria and works to reduce muscle frailty:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7072499/

Here is an important quote from the study link:

Melatonin is a highly evolutionary-conserved ancient molecule that was only recently rediscovered as a safe dietary supplement in muscle disorders and in exercise. This review attempts to shed light on potential and promising therapeutic roles of melatonin to limit muscle deterioration, mainly mitochondrial function, and sarcopenia.

Osteoarthritis

Interestingly, melatonin is thought to also help in some instances of Osteoarthritis by offering joint protective effects of cartilage and regenerative qualities, inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis, anti-inflammatory qualities, and reduction of elevated oxidative stress levels as discussed here:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568163722000770#:~:text=At the organismal level, intra,and thus impedes cartilage degeneration.

Here is a relevant quote from the review of multiple studies;

With regards to OA, melatonin reportedly promotes synthesis of cartilage matrix, inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis, attenuation of inflammatory response, and suppression of matrix degradation by regulating the TGF-β, MAPK, or NF-κB signaling pathways . Notably, melatonin has been associated with amelioration of oxidative damage by restoring the OA-impaired intracellular antioxidant defense system in articular cartilage. Findings from preliminary application of melatonin or melatonin-loaded biomaterials in animal models  have affirmed its potential anti-arthritic effects.

One problem with melatonin for osteoarthritis is that effective oral dosing may be very high, whereas topical melatonin application may potentially offer a viable option to high oral dosing. Future studies will determine the feasibility of topical melatonin for osteoarthritis.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Previously, I wrote about how melatonin may be useful as part of a plan for peripheral neuropathy, which is one form of nerve damage. You can also have nerve damage in the spinal column as well as the sciatic nerve. Here is a link to that peripheral neuropathy article :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/five-supplements-for-peripheral-neuropathy.html

Nerve Regenerative Effects In Spinal Cord Injury

One other point about melatonin as regards the spinal nerves is its potential to help with nerve damage, and given that the spine is loaded with nerves that can become damaged, TML may be useful in this area of spinal problems also. The following newer research (August 2023) suggests that melatonin may have nerve regenerative and protective effects in spinal cord injury (SCI) :

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2023.1218553/full#:~:text=Generally, melatonin copes with oxidative,and microcirculation in the injured

Here is a relevant quote from the research;

Generally, melatonin copes with oxidative stress and mitigates subsequent neuroinflammation and cellular apoptosis in SCI, resulting in reduced neural death and debris, restored BSCB, attenuated edema, decreased scar formation, a better neuronal regeneration, and neuroplasticity and microcirculation in the injured spinal cord (Figure 1). Moreover, melatonin attenuates oxidative damage, prevents functional disorders in the peripheral organs, and has a beneficial influence on systemic recovery in SCI (Figure 1). Though the melatonin’s protective roles in preventing secondary injuries in SCI have been studied for decades and many signaling pathways are reported involved in melatonin facilitating functional recovery and attenuating tissue damage, the receptor-dependent mechanism is rarely mentioned, e.g., MT1 or MT2.

Acute Brachial Plexus Compression Injury

This 2023 study discusses how melatonin may be helpful to for brachial plexus compression injury, a common and painful problem usually caused by a significant shoulder injury, including damage to nerves. It is only an animal study, but it suggests that melatonin may help repair peripheral nerve damage as it has shown it can do in other studies ;

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1111101/full#:~:text=Due to these biological properties,injury (8–13).

A relevant study quote;

Our results suggest that melatonin effectively promotes nerve regeneration and improves the function of damaged nerves. Melatonin treatment is a promising strategy for the treatment of acute brachial plexus compression injury.

My thinking is that TML may offer a very good way to apply a high level of melatonin directly to the area where it is needed in order to instigate nerve repair at a level greater than oral melatonin can afford, even at higher dosing. I imagine it will take significant time to achieve such healing of the nerve, but this is a very non-invasive approach when compared to surgical repair, which is typically used for this injury and comes with no guarantees and potential complications. I don't know what dose of melatonin would be required for such an injury, but the dose my friends used seems like a possibility worthy of consideration.

Sciatic Nerve Injury

Given the effect that melatonin showed in the study above for acute brachial plexus compression injury and knowing that melatonin has been suggested in studies for sciatic nerve injury, it seems like TML may be a potentially easy way to test melatonin for sciatic nerve injuries. Here is a link to a typical animal model of sciatic nerve injury and the effect of melatonin compared to electroacupuncture :

https://www.journal-jams.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.51507/j.jams.2021.14.5.176

Here is a relevant study quote:

Sciatic nerve damage caused a significant decrease in nerve conduction velocity. Both electroacupuncture treatment and melatonin treatment significantly increased the nerve conduction velocity. Both sciatic functional recovery and histological regeneration were faster in these treatment groups compared to the saline. However, no significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups.

So, aside from the many health benefits I have already written about melatonin, TML offers further promise and a potential way to try and get the maximum possible benefit from melatonin without having to take ultra-high oral dosing.

Updates

I will update this article as I get more feedback from my friends that they said they would give me once they know more, but at the rate that they have improved to this point, there is little room for improvement to report now. I am also testing topical melatonin for other uses, and if any of those tests show positive results, I will share my experiences with them as I learn more.

Question for Art Solbrig about his topical melatonin lotion? Please get in touch with him here.

Where to Buy Melatonin Lotion Ingredients

Bulk Supplements sells a large bag of pure melatonin powder reasonably priced.

Melatonin Powder Bulk Supplements - $18.96 for 25 grams - 8,333 servings

Cetaphil Lotion - Amazon

Gin From Costco - an example to show natural botanicals in the gin.

Related Links:

Melatonin's Topical Benefits: 40 Ways It Soothes Pain

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Alleviates Nerve and Muscular Issues

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
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Posted by Deborah (California, USA) on 01/26/2024
 ★★★★★

Hello and THANK YOU so much for this wonderful recipe for TML. This is an amazing discovery.

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 Art
(California)
01/26/2024
2341 posts

Hi Deborah,

You are very welcome!

Thank you very much for the feedback on melatonin lotion and I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but very happy that it is helping you so much! The positive feedback I am getting from a growing number of friends who are testing it has been impressive, as are your results!

I would just like to mention that among the myriad of health effects that melatonin has, it also has anticarcinogenic effects of its own as well as synergy with chemo and radiotherapy while helping to reduce the negative effects of chemo and radiotherapy. It also crosses the blood brain barrier when taken orally and possibly topically.

Thank you again, Deborah and best wishes!

Art

Ankle and Foot Swelling

1 User Review
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Posted by Art (California) on 07/19/2024 2341 posts
 ★★★★★

Melatonin Lotion Helped Reduce Ankle And Foot Swelling From An Unknown Cause

Recently I was talking with a friend who has ongoing ankle swelling that their doctor is trying to determine the cause of and has narrowed it down to heart or liver, but can't determine a treatment until that cause is pinpointed. I suggested to my friend that they try melatonin lotion on their feet and ankles in the meantime to try and reduce the inflammation, pain and swelling that is making it difficult and painful for them to stand or walk.

After 2.5 days they showed me that their ankle swelling had reduced significantly and one ankle and foot looked almost normal while the other was noticeably reduced using two applications sparingly applied per day. This is the most relief they have gotten for their swollen ankles and feet and my friend is very happy to finally get some relief!

Art

Back Pain Relief

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
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Write a review
Posted by Sharon (NC) on 11/28/2023
 ★★★★★

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.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/28/2023
2341 posts

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

Yomama
(North Carolina)
12/04/2023
★★★★★

Editor's Choice Hi Art,

Thank you for your response. It has been about a week since I first started applying the melatonin lotion to my lower back twice a day. I decided to apply it to my shoulder as an after thought several days later.

While my shoulder is still causing me pain albeit reduced, I was shocked to wake up this morning with minimal pain in my back. Prior to this I had been applying salon pas lidocaine patches all over my back and shoulders. My skin eventually became hypersensitive to this and I had to be careful not to apply the patches to the same spots on consecutive days. The results I am seeing from the melatonin lotion have been getting better and better with each application. Today was the first time in months that I have been able to get out of bed and function without waiting 3-4 hours for the pain to subside before I could function at all. I am amazed and praying that this is not a fluke.

I would like to clarify why I am applying this lotion, for any of your readers who are wondering if it could possibly help them: I was diagnosed with broad-based disc bulges and spinal canal stenosis and foraminal narrowings in the vertebrae starting in T12-L1 and extending all the way down through L5-S1. There is a severe spinal canal stenosis at L4-5 and L5-S1. I have been in constant pain, unable to sit or lie down comfortably, groaning with every shift in my position. Some days I was unable to walk at all or even take my small dog outside for a short walk. Prior to this I was an very active individual. I spent 3 decades working out in the gym, have my personal trainer's license, spent 1 decade in amateur women's bodybuilding and several years studying tae kwon do. Being so severely restricted in my movements because of back pain has been beyond depressing. I have not been able to continue with chiropractic adjustments because of severe osteoporosis. The physiatrist I saw for help told me that eventually I could expect to be wheelchair-bound and lose the ability to control bowel function, and that the only remedy for pain relief would be spinal fusion, which by the way, he did not recommend. LOL. I don't know anyone who has had relief from their issues after having a spinal fusion, so that was never on the table for me. I understand that pain remedies cannot affect the physical deterioration of the spine, and the doctor's prediction may or may not come to fruition, but the results I am seeing from using this lotion have given me more hope than I have had in a very long time. I am grateful for any relief I can get at this point that allows me to get back to functioning normally. This lotion has been a godsend. I will continue to update you. Thank you for all your posts, Art. I appreciate you.

Bonnie
(Los Angeles)
07/16/2024

Hello,

Could the melatonin recipe be made without the gin? I don't drink alcohol and would prefer not to put in on my body topically. Or is there a substitute product for the gin? Thank you!

lynn
(pa)
08/12/2024
7 posts

Hi Bonnie,

I made lotion without gin. First of you have to make lotion-you can use all kind oil as coconut oil, olive oil......., and you need put bee wax in it to make lotion. I use big pot with water in it, boil water at same time put glass bottle on it, put all kind oil what you like in it, then you put bee wax in it, last step is put melatonin in it. you have to wait let bee wax melt in the oil, then you have using something to mix it to let melatonin completely melted into lotion. I do not know heat will affect melatonin effecting or not. But I used lotion after I made it that the lotion made me sleepiness. I guess heat did not affect melatonin effecting.

Art
(California)
12/04/2023
2341 posts

Hi Yomama,

Thank you for this important feedback on how well the melatonin lotion is working out for you! I am very happy that you are finally finding some long needed relief! As to the physiatrist you saw, I have several words for that person, but I can't post them here.

You've got multiple spinal issues going on and I am glad the lotion is helping you with them. It is worth mentioning that melatonin is also useful for fighting osteoporosis, as I previously discussed here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/osteoporosis-supplements-art-solbrig.html

And here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/melatonin-for-osteoporosis.html

Something else I have found very useful for bulging discs and degenerative disc disease (DDD), I wrote about here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/ddd-art-solbrig.html

It sounds like you are going to be having better days ahead because melatonin can be healing to the body in general and the DDD/HA/Stopain remedy is likely to be additive based on reports on EC and from my friends who have used the combination.

Btw, my friend Lydia, who was one of the three friends that I wrote about, had also used the Salonpas patches and ran into the same sensitivity issue as you after about a few weeks of use and could no longer use them, but she did say that the melatonin lotion was more effective and non-irritating.

The following discusses how melatonin can be beneficial for the spine :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/melatonin-spine-health.html

Please keep us posted on your great results using melatonin lotion! Also, please update us on how it works for your shoulder pain. Lydia applies the lotion to her whole spine regularly now and I discussed why that might be a good idea here: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/melatonin-spine-health.html

Art

Art
(California)
12/05/2023
2341 posts

Sharon,

I forgot to ask if you still had a problem with tiredness from the application? If so, how did you work around it?

Art

judith
(Massachusetts)
12/07/2023

Hi Yomama! I was interested in seeing your progress with the TML as I have a friend (62) who, like you, is highly athletic and who is struggling with recently diagnosed stenosis and is in debilitating pain most all the time. I had seen a posting here that referenced a homeopaths recommendation and was able to find the original article with case studies on how two homeopathic remedies turned around stenosis for two of her patients. I'm hoping that my friend will try it and/or MTL but unfortunately she is quite stuck mentally/emotionally to western med. Frustrating. Blessings for your day!

https://homeopathy-allyson.blogspot.com/2020/05/aging-spines-feel-young-again.html

"From Earth Clinic (https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/spinal_stenosis.html#mr):

Spinal Stenosis Cure that absolutely works, never do back surgery, the doctors are not good enough yet and they will ruin your nerves terribly! Dr. Debra Katchen, MD and homeopathic doctor wrote an article “Aging Spines Feel Young Again” (unfortunately, homeopathy.org makes you become a member $ 75 to get into their website for the article but I use this remedy so I put it in my phone. Here it is, dirt cheap, need to do for six months and then I would do it every few years to keep the stenosis away, there is a lady on Youtube who also did it and has a testimonial how great it worked...

Take one tablet of strength 30C HEKLA LAVA pills in a 6 oz glass of distilled or purified water, let it dissolve, put in fridge and daily take 2 teaspoons (am and on preferably) and in addition, take four tablets under your tongue of CALCAREA FLUORICA strength 6X once a day for 6 months. (Amazon, iherb, Swanson, Vitacost to compare prices, there is a company brand Hyland in these small like chapstick containers is pretty popular but other companies have those pills). You will start feeling better about 3 months in but continue for the 6 months. Really, really works!!"

Art
(California)
12/07/2023
2341 posts

Hi Judith,

I just wanted to mention that I used the homeopathic remedy that you are referring to for two friends with spinal stenosis. It cured one friend, but did not help the other. The friend that it did not help had multiple diagnosed spinal issues including cervical spinal stenosis and that may be why it did not help that friend. The friend that it did help had a diagnosis of only lumbar spinal stenosis.

Art

judith
(USA)
12/10/2023

thank you, Art! she has lower back stenosis - L5

Replied by Carol
(Michigan)
12/25/2023

Hi Art,

I have breast cancer and would like to know what dosage the melatonin would be. I was thinking of applying it directly over the breast. I am trying to get up to the 300 mg a day that is supposed to stop the metastes but can't afford the number of pills that would take. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you for all your informative advice on this site. God Bless!

Art
(California)
12/26/2023
2341 posts

Hi Carol,

The melatonin lotion uses gin and melatonin in an amount that is at least a saturated solution before the lotion is added to the gin and melatonin, so there is no room to add any more melatonin to that mix anyway.

According to the original three friends who use it, it is more effective for them than taking 100 mg of oral melatonin which offered them no pain relief at all for the issues that they reported about, so it must be a fairly potent locally delivered dose they are getting from the lotion, but adding more melatonin to the gin is not likely to be additive.

I take 132 mg of melatonin per day and it offers me no pain relief that I am able to discern, but the lotion absolutely does which tends to suggest that it is reaching very high local levels that my 132 mg of oral melatonin can not!

Art

Carol
(Michigan)
12/27/2023

Hi Art,

Thank you so much for your answer about the lotion. Just wondering if you could help with what supplements to take. I'm currently taking:

500 mg Berberine 3x a day.
400mg quercetin 3x a day.plus resveratrol. Not sure dosage. Vitamin C 1000 mg 3-4x a day Lysine1000 mg. 3-4x a day. One multi vitamin per day. minerals, herbal extracts with milk thistle, chaparral, dandelion root, pau de arco and others.
400 mg Oregano tablets. Grape Seed extract and the melatonin as much as I can afford. Have done the castor oil wraps and want to try ivermectin or fenben but not sure which I should try or the dosage. Trying to juice but have an old juicer that doesn't do a great job but better than nothing. Anyway, if you or anyone else has any other ideas I would greatly appreciate hearing them. Thanks again for everything you do!

Art
(California)
12/28/2023
2341 posts

Hi Carol,

Of course I am of the opinion that melatonin seems relevant in the discussion of any type of cancer because of its multiple methods of action when it comes to cancer. There are many studies which discuss these methods of action of melatonin, so I have not linked to those as you have probably already read many of them.

I will link to a few studies that may be of interest to you :

HESPERIDIN

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/13/5152

Here is a relevant study quote :

Hesperidin, a flavonoid commonly found in citrus fruits, with its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties, and cardio-preventive factor for disease prevention, is well-known. Furthermore, its anticancer potential has been suggested to be a promising alternative in cancer treatment or management through the modulation of signal transduction pathways, which includes apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, ERK/MAPK, signal transducer, and the activator of transcription and other cell signaling molecules. Moreover, its role in the synergistic effects with anticancer drugs and other natural compounds has been described properly. The present article describes how hesperidin affects various cancers by modulating the various cell signaling pathways.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcmm.17902

Here is a relevant study quote :

Hesperidin showed significant anti-angiogenesis and anti-proliferative effects in mice bearing 4T1 breast cancer, suggesting this compound as a potential treatment either with or without standard treatment (doxorubicin) to be used in future clinical research. The role of hesperidin as an inhibitor of angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastasis was confirmed in this study. It is suggested to consider clinical studies to investigate the effects of this agent in humans.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8626310/

A relevant quote from the review :

In summary, hesperidin and its aglycone hesperetin have good in vitro anti-cancer activities in BC models based on their inhibition of cell proliferation, migration (hesperidin only) and BCSCs (hesperidin only) as well as their induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In in vivo BC models, they exert their anti-cancer effects by inhibiting tumour growth, metastasis (hesperidin only) and neoplastic changes in tissue architecture (hesperidin only). The co-administration of hesperidin with doxorubicin or tamoxifen as well as the co-administration of hesperetin with doxorubicin or letrozole can enhance the anti-BC effects of the clinically available anti-cancer drugs.

PIPERINE

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ptr.7291

A relevant quote from the review :

Piperine (PIP) is an alkaloid found primarily in Piper longum, and this natural compound has been shown to exert effects on proliferation and survival against various types of cancer. In particular, PIP has potent inhibitory effects on breast cancer (BC), the most prevalent type of cancer in women worldwide. PIP targets numerous signaling pathways associated with the therapy of BC cells through the following mechanisms: (a) induction of arrest of the cell cycle and apoptosis; (b) alteration of the signaling protein expression; (c) reduction in transcription factors; and (d) inhibition of tumor growth. BC cells have the ability to resist conventional drugs, so one of the strategies is the combination of PIP with other phytochemicals such as paclitaxel, thymoquinone, hesperidin, bee venom, tamoxifen, mitoxantrone, piperlongumin, and curcumin.

So the above article suggests that while piperine has anticancer effects, it may also work with hesperidin and curcumin against cancer.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7432303/

Here is a relevant study quote :

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that resveratrol, curcumin and piperine exposure results in cytotoxic effects in MCF-7 cells, associated with decreasing GLO1 activity and mitochondrial cell damage. Other aspects involving the action of these compounds in glyoxalase system enzyme expression as well as the mRNA expression of glyoxalases 1 and 2 should be further investigated as chemotherapeutic targets.

CURCUMIN

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10679154/

Here is a relevant quote from the link :

Curcumin can be very effective and free of severe toxicity75. Curcumin has multiple medicinal properties and can interact with several molecular targets and intracellular signaling pathways76. However, poor bioavailability limits its therapeutic effects. Curcumin analogs and their various formulations, including nanoparticles and liposomes, are extensively studied for maximum effectiveness.77, 78.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10675183/

Here is a relevant quote from the link :

The positive feedback loop in the breast TME contributes to the aggravation of cancer. Particularly, EMT facilitates the invasive and metastatic potential of tumors, which can be mediated by the NF-κB signaling pathway [46]. During EMT, cellular behavior undergoes notable shifts, with diminished expression of epithelial markers and increased mesenchymal-like phenotype [47]. To evaluate the impact of Cur-CM on EMT, the migratory and invasive capabilities of MCF7 cells were determined. Remarkably, treatment with Cur-CM significantly reduced the mobility and migration potential of MCF7 cells compared with Con-CM treatment. To further explore the molecular mechanism underlying such a phenotype, we examined the expression levels of EMT markers. E-cadherin, an epithelial cell marker, was upregulated following Cur-CM treatment. In contrast, the expression of N-cadherin and fibronectin, both indicators of mesenchymal characteristics, was significantly downregulated after Cur-CM treatment. These results explained that curcumin modulated the EMT by disrupting the CXCL12/CXCR4-mediated transformation of ADMSCs into CAFs and suppressing the breast TME from further progression.

Since you mentioned that you are already taking Resveratrol and Quercetin, the following mouse model of breast tumor study may be of interest to you since it used those two in combination with Curcumin in the study and it gives human equivalency dosing :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10432483/

Here is a relevant study quote :

BALBc mice were injected 2 × 105 4T1 cells subcutaneously. The treatment plan was divided into three types. The mice in the Treated A group were given RCQ by intragastric administration for 30 days after subcutaneous injection of 4T1 breast cancer cells. The mice in the Treated B group were consumed RCQ for 15 days for prevention, then injected subcutaneously with 4T1 breast cancer cells and continued to gavage RCQ for 30 days. The mice in the Treated C group were consumed RCQ for 30 days for prevention, then injected subcutaneously with 4T1 breast cancer cells, and continued to gavage RCQ for 30 days. Each mouse was fed 60 mg kg−1 orally five times a week, 200 μL each time. RCQ in PBS plus 1% DMSO was prepared by dilution from Res, Cur, and Que solutions in DMSO. The control group was fed with PBS plus 1% DMSO. From Monday through Friday, RCQ was given to the mice five times a week, once per day. In previous studies, the non-toxic dose of these antitumor polyphenols in tumor mice was generally between 5–140 mg kg−1. In this study, the dose of RCQ was 60 mg kg−1 (including 24 mg kg−1 Res, 24 mg kg−1 Cur, and 12 mg kg−1 Que), which was the non-toxic dose. Grapes contain the highest content of polyphenols, which can reach 50–100 mg kg−1. The recommended dosage for humans is 0.3–1 g per day, equivalent to 3 kg of grapes, but full amounts of polyphenols can be obtained by taking extract capsules. According to the body surface area method, the conversion factors between different animals and humans are different. The dose given to mice was about 12.3 times that given to humans. 60 mg kg−1 (including 24 mg kg−1 Res, 24 mg kg−1 Cur, and 12 mg kg−1 Que) translated into an edible human dose of 738 mg/day (including 295.2 mg Res, 295.2 mg Cur, and 147.6 mg Que). On the other hand, applying allometric principles and taking different caloric demands of mice and humans into account66–68, it is possible that, related to body weight, humans need an approximately 5–10-fold lower dose of RCQ than mice for an effect. Therefore, the intake of RCQ for humans can be reduced as appropriate.

WARNING

Regarding melatonin, it dissolves better in DMSO than ethanol, but DMSO can carry unwanted chemicals through the skin so it would not be compatible with other ingredients such as the Cetaphil lotion itself might have. I'm just adding this warning because you may have been thinking of trying to increase the amount of melatonin in the lotion through other means.

Art

Carol
(Michigan)
01/04/2024

Hi Art,

Thank you so much for all of the information. I have ordered the hesperidin and I have the curcumin and resveratrol. Haven't ordered the piperine yet but will when I can. God bless you for your generosity in helping everyone you that you do. I will keep you posted on my results. And thanks again for all you do to help others!

M-L Bloch
(Zürich)
02/05/2024

Hi Carol

Do not forget B17, that should help cancer.

rgs from sunny Zurich, Switzerland

Carol
(Michigan)
02/25/2024

Hi M-L Bloch,

Thank you so much for the suggestion regarding B17.

I will definitely try it! I wish I were in Sunny Zurich. We don't have many sunny days in Michigan in winter. Thanks again, Carol

Art
(California)
07/16/2024
2341 posts

Hi Bonnie,

I chose gin as the solvent for the melatonin powder because it is much safer than using something like isopropyl alcohol or DMSO, it is relatively inexpensive and it is easy to find and purchase. Gin can be consumed, but isopropyl alcohol is poisonous to consume. My intent was to make it easy for people to test and use melatonin lotion.

In order to be most effective, the melatonin has to be dissolved before adding the lotion. If you just add the melatonin powder to the lotion without dissolving it first, the lotion will be significantly weaker or possibly be ineffective.

There are other solvents that can be used, but they are harder to acquire and generally cost more to buy. Your best bet, if you don't want to use gin is to ask a compounding pharmacy to make up a melatonin lotion for you using a non gin solvent, but keep in mind that most solvents have the potential for side effects. As an example, another solvent that can dissolve melatonin is dimethyl formamide (DMF) which is readily absorbed through the skin and is thought to have the potential to cause liver damage. With the the lotion made with gin, the gin evaporates fairly quickly once applied to the skin.

Another solvent that can dissolve melatonin powder is DMSO, but DMSO can carry many molecules through the skin. I think there are many molecules in many lotions that would be unhealthful to carry through the skin into the body in any meaningful amounts.

If you decide to try a compounding pharmacy, please let us know your results.

Art

Jaw Fracture Pain

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%
Write a review
Posted by Art (California) on 02/02/2024 2341 posts
 ★★★★★

Recently, a friend fell while on vacation and when he fell, his jaw slammed into a concrete step. He sought out a local doctor who told him he should see his regular doctor when he got home from vacation. When he saw his regular doctor and did the appropriate testing, his doctor told him surgery would not be required, but that he did have two fractures in his jaw that would require significant time to heal.

My friend called me and asked if I could suggest anything to help him with the pain caused by the fractures that was keeping him up at night. I gave him a bottle of melatonin lotion and told him to apply it sparingly twice a day and it should relieve the pain and allow him to get better sleep.

I further told him that the lotion is likely to help his fractures heal because melatonin seems to promote bone healing and repair as discussed here :

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2022.826660/full#:~:text=Thus, it indicates that melatonin, associations between melatonin and osteogenesis.

Here is a relevant quote from the link :

' Moderate osteogenesis and angiogenesis is involved in both bone repair and fracture healing (25). Currently, accumulating evidence has indicated the associations between melatonin and osteogenesis. ' ( osteogenesis = the formation of bone)

I got a text from my friend today and he said that the lotion has greatly reduced his pain and allows him to sleep very well. He also asked me if he could use the lotion for other body areas where he has pain, but he did not elaborate on what areas he was referring to and I told him it might help and to try it. I also mentioned that it may also help with healing of the fracture. He was very happy and said he will keep applying it!

Art

Melatonin Lotion Feedback

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  100%
Write a review
Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 12/30/2023

Does it have to be gin? Or can it be vodka or some other liquor? I don't really want to buy gin, no one I know drinks it, but I do have vodka for my black walnut tincture, so wondering if I could use that.

Replied by Art
(California)
12/30/2023
2341 posts

Hi GertJr,

Yes, vodka can work as substitute for gin, however a friend recently wrote me that when she ran out of gin, she tried using vodka to make her melatonin lotion and for some reason, she found that it required significantly more vodka to dissolve the melatonin and this ultimately made the finished lotion much more watery. Both products were labeled 80 proof, so it is hard to understand this discrepancy. She said she would go back to gin in her future batches as she is having very good benefit from the lotion she had been making with gin.

It is important to dissolve the melatonin in order to end up with an effective melatonin lotion.

Please come back and let us know how melatonin lotion works for you.

Art

Melatonin Lotion Feedback
Posted by Deirdre (VA) on 11/18/2023
 ★★★★★

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)
  1. Gram Scale : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TBJBFRK
  2. Magnetic Stirrer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K24X5P
  3. Glass Beaker Set (small): https://www.amazon.com/Borosilicate-Measuring-Set-V-Shaped-Kitchen-Restaurant/dp/B0BC7QZFX6
  4. Hyaluronic Acid: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OUKO8
  5. Melatonin Powder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JV46FFU/
  6. 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.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/18/2023
2341 posts

Hi Deirdre,

I'm excited to hear your results too!

Art

Melatonin Lotion Feedback
Posted by S (Sterling, USA) on 11/14/2023
 ★★★★★

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!

Replied by Marlena
(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.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/14/2023
2341 posts

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

Replied by Art
(California)
11/14/2023
2341 posts

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

Replied by cy
(usa)
11/14/2023

Can castor oil be substituted for gin in pain remedy with melatonin?

Replied by Karen
(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.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/14/2023
2341 posts

Hi cy,

I have not tried it so I don't know.

Art

Replied by Art
(California)
11/14/2023
2341 posts

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

Replied by Mary
(NEW YORK)
11/14/2023

Hi! Can you or anyone put this recipe into spoons… I don't know grams.. 1/2 teaspoon???? Thanx I want to try it!!!!!!

Replied by Art
(California)
11/14/2023
2341 posts

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

Replied by Art
(California)
11/15/2023
2341 posts
★★★★★

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

Replied by Leesa
(Arkansas)
11/16/2023

I was wondering the same thing.

Replied by Frances
(Cabarlah, Qld.)
11/18/2023

Karen, have you tried Aussie-grown product jojoba oil, either on its own or in various moisturising products.

Replied by Susan
(Wake Forest, NC)
11/28/2023

Art,

Since melatonin is both lipophilic and hydrophilic, could one just dissolve the mel powder in their moisturizer (I use tallow) and skip the alcohol step?

Thanks,

Susan

lynn
(pa)
08/12/2024
7 posts

Hi Susan,

I am not Art, But I did melt melatonin with what I made lotion. You can make any kind lotion you want using boiling water. Put glass bottle in the water with something under glass (Provent glass break from very hot heat) all kind oils with bee wax, then put melatonin in it. after bee wax melt, melatonin mostly is melting too. you need using something mix melatonin with lotion. I did not measure how much oil and bee wax I put in and I did not measure how many grams of melatonin I put in. I used my tomato sauce glass bottle that at least is 16 oz bottle. I just put oil first, put bee wax in it as 3/4 bottle already, then put melatonin in it too. after wax melt if I think lotion is too oily, I just put more bee wax. I want strong melatonin lotion, so I put maybe almost 2 table spools of melatonin in, I thought if lotion too strong I will use less, if too weak I cannot use too much lotion on my skin. I tested my lotion after I finished, I did feel sleepiness after for a while.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/28/2023
2341 posts

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

Replied by Susan
(NC)
11/29/2023

I find alcohol drying, so I avoid it in my skin care. (I prefer it in a glass, neat. ;)

Replied by Art
(California)
11/30/2023
2341 posts

Ha! I'll drink to that, Susan!

Art

Melatonin Lotion Feedback
Posted by Diana (MA) on 11/14/2023
 ★★★★★

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.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/14/2023
2341 posts

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

Frances
(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.

M-L Bloch
(Zürich)
02/05/2024

Hi Frances

The same in Switzerland, we get it only after 65 years old. I order it at

iherb, usa

rgs from ZUrich

Art
(California)
11/18/2023
2341 posts

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441917/#:~:text=Acetaminophen toxicity is the second, year in the United States.

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.

https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/body/sleep/melatonin-overdose#:~:text=A study of poison control, sleepiness, vomiting and trouble breathing.

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 :

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-it-bad-to-take-ibuprofen-every-day/#:~:text=The risks of improper ibuprofen, a year in the U.S.

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:

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
Posted by Jan (Ga, Usa) on 11/14/2023

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.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/14/2023
2341 posts

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
Posted by Rusty (Lewistown, mt) on 11/14/2023

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

Replied by Art
(California)
11/15/2023
2341 posts

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

Hollyhock
(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!

Art
(California)
11/15/2023
2341 posts

Hi Hollyhock,

Your feedback will be very useful since I have not tried it for hip pain yet.

Thank you!

Art

Art
(California)
12/10/2023
2341 posts

A friend who has been using melatonin lotion recently wrote the following to me :

' Hi Art, I am only taking 1 25mg Losartan (I was taking 50mg) and my bp has been well in the normal range. I've taken it in the a.m. and p.m. and it's running about 122/75. That's a good reading for me.

The weather outside is frightful (as the song goes). It was about 29 last night but warmed up to the 50's today. That usually sends my aches and pains on the increase. I did stay inside today, but did really well. I was surprised especially since I was on my feet a lot last night standing at a ladies golf party and talking to people. Usually that would kill my back. However, I used the cream and stopain 2 times today and have really done well. My neck hasn't bothered me in a couple of days now and my back will give me a little ouchy feeling, but nothing like I would usually expect given the weather. I also have used it on my left shoulder, hip joints and knees. And, yes, any pain I had there seems to have gone away for now. We'll see. I'll keep you informed.
On another note, I was diagnosed with thyroiditis...maybe from the machines they but down my throat from an endoscopy I had done a couple of months ago. It had been kind of an on and off problem with swallowing. It got really bad last Tuesday where just swallowing my saliva was painful. So I decided to try the cream and the Stopain and guess what? There was a huge improvement by the next day. Within 3 days the swelling in my throat has pretty much disappeared. I don't know if there is any correlation, but I thought I would just share that with you.
take care,

She also more recently wrote this to me :

' Art, thanks I'll try that...the muscles of my head get so tight they hurt...

BTW I was having ankle problems and used the lotion and Stopain with good results.'

Art

Art
(California)
12/18/2023
2341 posts

This same friend mentioned to me that she was having significant pain on her head which she said she regularly has. I asked her how far up her neck she applying the melatonin lotion and she said right up to her hairline. I mentioned to her that the cervical spine actually continues higher than the hairline and asked her to try applying the melatonin lotion right up to the bottom of the skull. She said she would try doing that on her next application that night. She wrote back the next day to say that she woke up with no head pain and was very happy about that. She later wrote me to say that applying to the very top of her cervical spine has continued to work to prevent her head pain.

One of my friends that I wrote about in the original post, Lydia also noticed that applying all the way up the neck to the base of the skull is also working better for any neck pain she still has. She said she thought she was applying it to her whole spine, but had never even thought of going above the hair line, but is happy that she is doing that now.

There are nerves at the top of the spine that travel to the head and face and apparently the melatonin lotion can help calm them when they become inflamed.

Art

Art
(California)
12/26/2023
2341 posts

The friend I mentioned above sent me another update regarding her use of melatonin lotion. She said the following :

' Art, just a quick update. Last night I had what I thought was a migraine. I applied the lotion and Stopain and by bedtime it had receded quite a bit. By morning it was gone. Usually my migraines last a week. So this was really great! '

Art

Art
(California)
01/08/2024
2341 posts

I got yet another update from my friend who is testing melatonin lotion. This is what she said :

I am almost pain free at this point. This is very unusual for me given that the weather has been very cold. That usually exacerbates my arthritis. At this point I don't see any swelling in my back vertebrae. They usually swell first and then hurt like the dickens. I put the lotion on once in the morning and once before I go to bed. I use stopain with it. The swollen joints in my fingers have started to decrease in size and are no longer sensitive to the least touch...yay! I should have taken a before and after picture. The bumps on my finger joints have almost decreased by half size! I still have some back pain if I stand on my feet too long (more than 20 minutes) in a stationary position. So I try to keep moving.

Art

Migraines

1 User Review
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Posted by Art (California) on 05/17/2024 2341 posts
 ★★★★★

Re : Melatonin's Topical Benefits: 40 Ways It Soothes Pain And One Benefit Confirmed In Human Study

Item #4 mentions that one of my friends found significant relief for migraine headaches which usually last them about a week and now are over in less than a day. This new study (May, 2024) adds confirmation to the idea that melatonin relieves migraine headaches as discussed here :

https://ijms.sums.ac.ir/article_49688.html

Here is a relevant study quote :

' Our study shows that melatonin was more efficacious than the placebo in the reduction of frequency and duration of migraine attacks. It was equally safe as the placebo and might be effective in the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. '

Art

Replied by Sherry
(Virginia)
11/11/2024

How was the melatonin lotion applied? My daughter has migraines and I made your lotion for her and then realized there is no instruction on how to use it for migraines. Does she rub the lotion on where she has migraine pain?

Art
(California)
11/11/2024
2341 posts

Hi Sherry,

My friend who used it for migraines told me she applied it sparingly to the back of her neck, temples and scalp. She said she applied from just below the lowest part of the neck to the top of the neck, which is above the hairline at the base of the skull and then applied it to the scalp and temples. She said her migraines would always last about a week and the ML would have them gone in less than a day with significant symptom reduction while the migraine was active. which she said was the best relief she had ever gotten.

Please let us know how it works for your daughter, whether it is helpful or not.

Art

Neck Injury, Calf Pain

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Posted by Art (California) on 02/04/2024 2341 posts
 ★★★★★

Recently an acquaintance, from the UK, who had fallen backwards and hit their neck against a plastic bucket and was in significant pain which the specialist felt might be damage to the spinal cord, asked if I had any suggestions that might help. My suggestion was to give consideration to melatonin lotion since melatonin has shown in multiple studies to have beneficial effects for various spinal issues as I wrote about here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/melatonin-spine-health.html

And here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/topical-melatonin-pain-relief-success-stories.html

That was about 2 months ago and yesterday this acquaintance wrote to tell me this :

' Hi there. An update. Have used your treatment and would say that it works. It has taken the swelling out of the neck area and the lump on the side of the neck (caratoid?) Has gone. Also, I woke one morning with a very sore right calf No reason that I know of limped through that day and half the next then used your cream. Used it again the next day and although slightly tender would say that the problem was solved. '

' I used E45 moisturising lotion ( because I had it in the house) . I was sceptical. Couldn't see how it could work but it does. '

So these are two more examples of things that melatonin lotion has worked effectively for.

Art

New Research

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Posted by Art (California) on 02/13/2024 2341 posts
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A new study came out today that shows that in spinal injuries above T8, normal melatonin secretion is negatively affected to various degrees. This suggests that melatonin lotion may be a useful tool in directly helping to restore this diminished melatonin secretion for use by the spine. Here is a link to the abstract of that study :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38347109/

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

' Comparing retained vs abolished secretion, only 23% (4/17) of patients with a lesion above T8 retained melatonin secretion, compared to 80% (4/5) with a lesion below T8 (p = 0.022). '

Art

Q&A

3 User Reviews
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Posted by Lola (Ontario) on 09/28/2024
 ★★★★★

Hello Art, I live in Ontario, Canada and only melatonin tablets/capsules or drops are available to purchase. Is it possible to use any of them? Maybe drops? Many Thanks

Replied by Art
(California)
09/29/2024
2341 posts

Hi Lola,

Another poster reported that she was able to use capsules that are equivalent to 750 mg to make the lotion to ameliorate her fibromyalgia pain. Not the best way to do it, but she said it worked for her.

Art

Q&A
Posted by Julie C (Louisiana ) on 07/18/2024

Hello!

Regarding the melatonin recipe you gave - would using a coconut oil be an alternative to the lotion? Thank you!

Replied by Art
(California)
07/18/2024
2341 posts

Hi Julie C,

I never tested coconut oil for melatonin lotion because some people don't like the smell, but if you try it, please let us know how it works for you as people who like coconut oil will definitely want to know how it works.

Art

Bill
(Philippines)
07/19/2024

Editor's Choice Hi Julie C,

Apparently larger amounts of melatonin can be dissolved in fatty acids with shorter length carbon chains. This also means that more melatonin will dissolve in short and medium chain fatty acids such as virgin coconut oil than in long chain fatty acid oils like vegetable oil, olive oil, tallow and lard:

"In order to identify suitable oils for the development of melatonin-NE, melatonin solubility in seven oils was determined. Triglycerides with the shortest fatty acid chains (C4) were better solvents for melatonin, with solubility of approximately 4.5 mg melatonin/g of oil. Triglycerides with the longest fatty acid chains, C18, had the lowest melatonin solubility; 0.23 mg melatonin/g of oil. All other oils displayed a melatonin solubility between those values"

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0939641120301259

I've also found from the research that you can dissolve much larger amounts of melatonin in DMSO(Dimethylsulfoxide) than you can using water, alcohol or oil. In fact, DMSO is perhaps the perfect vehicle to directly transport any orgainic chemical compound(with a molecular mass of less than 1000) through the skin into the blood.

I've recently been using various individual organic and inorganic chemicals on myself such as sodium thiosulfate, magnesium chloride, methylene blue and borax -- as well as using a drop of essential oil per dose like Thieves oil, Peppermint oil -- dissolved in a teaspoon of DMSO + water for various skin or blood problems. This was a very useful exercise. I had a hard growth or bump under my skin at the back of my neck that I could not dissolve or remove -- it's been there for over 20 years. So every two days I would mix 5 drops of 99% DMSO + 5 drops of water + 3 drops of 1% Methylene Blue(MB) and just dab it profusely around the small hard bump on my neck. Eventually, after about a month or so, the bump reduced in size, went flat and then completely disappeared. Interestingly, the blue stain on the back of my neck from the DMSO + MB always disappeared within about 30 mins.


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