This year marks an extraordinary milestone for us at Napiers: our 165th anniversary.
Founded in 1860 by my great-grandfather, Duncan Napier, our mission has always been to bring natural health care to all. As we prepare to celebrate this momentous...
Free Webinar | Discover herbal approaches to Long Covid and Lyme Disease with three leading herbalists. Live Q&A, practical protocols, and trusted remedies.
For 165 years, Napiers the Herbalists has been dedicated to providing high-quality herbal medicine, ensuring accessibility and affordability for all who seek natural health solutions. We are grateful for your continued trust and support.
Why Are ...
Join us for a free webinar with Medical Herbalist, Claire Goulding for a free webinar discussing natural approaches to endometriosis on Wednesday 26th March at 7pm (GMT).
Alan is a fully qualified Five Element Acupuncturist and has been practising this wonderful system of medicine at Napiers Clinic in the West End of Glasgow for the past 18 years.
Audrey is a Medical Herbalist, graduating in 2007 with a BSc (Hons) in Herbal Medicine & Phytotherapy from Edinburgh’s Napier University and is a registered member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (MNIMH). Audrey is a practicing member within the Napiers CLAID Clinic.
As a fully qualified, experienced Holistic Therapist, Bettina works with clients on a one-to-one basis to establish an optimal treatment plan or therapy to best support your skin health and well-being.
Claire is an experienced Western Medical Herbalist (BSc), a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) and works at Napiers online clinic.
Clare is an experienced medical herbalist based in the West Highlands of Scotland, home to deer, livestock, ticks, and Lyme disease. She works for the Napier's CLAID clinic on a Thursday morning.
Clare began training at Edinburgh’s Napier University in 2005, gaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Herbal Medicine in 2009. She joined the Napiers Clinic team shortly after her graduation, initially working in the dispensary before beginning her herbal practice in 2010. Since then she has been a key member of our clinical team, working alongside Dee Atkinson in running the general herbal clinics, as well as heading the Baby & Child Clinic.
Dean is a Naturopathic Practitioner experienced in Nutrition and Herbal Medicine. With interests in nerve problems, cardiovascular health, digestive disorders as well as male and female reproductive system wellbeing.
Dee is the senior herbal practitioner at Napiers the Herbalists in Edinburgh. She runs a general medicine clinic with a special interest in women’s health, managing hormonal health and ageing. More recently, Dee set up the Napiers Long Covid Clinic to facilitate an integrated approach between doctors, herbalists and nutritionist to this new disease.
John is a friendly and experienced counsellor offering 1-1 sessions on Fridays at Napiers Clinic in Edinburgh city centre and online via FaceTime/Skype. He has worked in private practice supporting people for over 18 years and brings a wealth of experience.
Kate is a BANT registered Nutritionist who owns and runs the Edinburgh Clinic of Nutrition. She trained for three and a half years at Patrick Holford's renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition in London and is currently studying with The Institute of Functional Medicine in the US.
Kim is qualified in Aromatherapy Massage and Indian Head Massage. Working with the needs of her massage clients led to a deeper interest in their health and Kim studied the BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine degree at Napier University, Edinburgh. Kim is one of the lead herbalists within the Napiers CLAID Clinic and sees many patients.
Kirstin is a fully qualified member of the Society of Homeopaths and holds an RSHom distinction in Classical Homeopathy. Kirstin qualified from the Northwest College of Homeopathy's four-year training course in Manchester.
Lynn is a registered osteopath and has been practicing osteopathy for nineteen years. She studied osteopathy and cranial sacral therapy at the European School of Osteopathy and graduated in 1991. Lynn has a background in physiotherapy and is trained in structural, craniosacral, functional, fascial and visceral osteopathy.
Malgorzata graduated from the College of Naturopathic Medicine where she studied Western Herbal Medicine and Naturopathic Nutrition /Diplomas in Herbal Medicine (2017), Naturopathy (2017), and Naturopathic Nutrition (2020). She is also qualified in KORE Therapy, Anmo-fu - 5 Element Abdominal Massage, Craniosacral Balance and Stress Release Therapy and Cupping. Her first degree is a PhD in History.
Mark runs the podiatry clinic, offering diagnosis and treatment of various disorders relating to the feet, ankles, legs and lower back. He offers podiatry, chiropody, orthotics and nail surgery.
Melissa qualified from Middlesex University in 2000. She runs a general herbal practice from her boat, The Herbal Barge, which is based on the river Lea in North London. Melissa joined the CLAID Clinic Co-operative to work collaboratively in an integrated and specialised context to support patients with long covid.
Mike is a body worker and NLP Practitioner who is passionate about working with the
person as a whole; offering treatments that integrate body and mind.
Monica has a Masters degree in herbal medicine from the University of Central Lancashire. She is the research herbalist heading up the Napiers CLAID Clinic. The CLAID Clinic specialism is Lyme disease Borrelia burgdorferi and co-infections - crypto-infections Bartonella, Babesia, Rickettsia, Erlichia, Anaplasma, Mycoplasma, etc. A research herbalist is not the same as a medical herbalist and Monica does not run a general clinical practice. This allows her to focus on Lyme disease and bacterial and viral infections.
Natasha is an experienced and qualified medical herbalist in Western herbal medicine, a forager and mycotherapist. As well as practicing as part of Napiers' general herbal medicine practice, she also sees patients as part of the CLAID Clinic.
Nikki was awarded a first class honours degree in Herbal Medicine from the University of East London and trained at clinics in Glasgow and London. She was also awarded the Arthur Barker prize for her final examination grades. Nikki also has ITEC Diplomas in Holistic Massage and Aromatherapy.
She is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists which is the UK’s leading professional body representing herbal practitioners. NIMH members follow a strict code of conduct and are committed to ongoing and continual practitioner development and training.
Ona Madorell is a qualified Naturopathic Nutritionist, graduating with distinction from the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM). She has further enhanced her expertise through a course in blood test interpretation and a postgraduate program focused on the microbiome.
Pearlyn is a licensed acupuncturist and a registered member of the Acupuncture Society, and is fully insured to practice acupuncture, tuina, cupping and moxibustion.
Satya trained at the School of Natural Medicine where she graduated with a Diploma in Healing Diets and additional immersion studies in Herbal Medicine, Healing Diets, Iridology and Naturopathy, Quantum Botanicals and Flower Essences.
Satya has a Nonviolent Communication Leadership Certificate with Bay NVC and an MA in European Dance Theatre Practice from Trinity Laban.
Sheila is a Holistic Therapist who qualified in KCR in 2019 with the KCR Academy.
After a long career in retail, an ankle injury led her to seek an alternative approach to healing.
Shona has worked at Napiers Clinic for 30 years where she has picked up a wealth of knowledge about various complementary therapies. She trained as a Food Sensitivity tester with The Health Partnership Company, where she was taught how to use the 3 point marker system.
Thanos is a Medical Herbalist with a BSc(hons) from Westminster University and 14 years of experience. He practises as a Herbalist and Orthopaedic Acupuncturist at Napiers in Edinburgh and at Napiers Bathgate. He has special interest and experience in chronic conditions such as Lyme, Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue as well as stress, skin conditions and menopause.
Wendy qualified in 2002 with a BSc(Hons) in Phytotherapy. Since then she has practiced in Fife, Angus and the Lothians. She is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
How Much Magnesium Do You Need Daily? | Your Complete Guide
Guest Author,
Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, supporting muscle function, energy production, and hormonal balance. Despite its importance, many people are deficient. Learn more in this blog.
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Why Magnesium Is Essential
Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, supporting muscle function, energy production, and hormonal balance. Despite its importance, many people fail to meet their daily magnesium requirements, leading to fatigue, muscle cramps, and stress.
Understanding how much magnesium your body needs and the best way to supplement it is crucial for optimal health. Whether you're using dietary sources, capsules, sprays, or creams, magnesium is a game-changer for overall wellness.
How Much Magnesium Do You Need?
The recommended daily intake (RDI) for magnesium varies depending on age, sex, and life stage:
Group
Daily Requirement (mg)
Women (19–30 years)
310
Women (31+ years)
320
Pregnant Women
350–400
Men (19–30 years)
400
Men (31+ years)
420
Despite these guidelines, nearly 50% of people in the UK fail to meet their magnesium needs through diet alone.
Speak to a Herbalist
Want to learn about magnesium and how it can support your health journey? We offer free 1:1 15-minute consultations with our team of expert herbalists. During this personalised consultation, you can discuss your symptoms and lifestyle to determine whether magnesium supplementation may be beneficial for you.
There are various ways to supplement magnesium, each offering unique benefits depending on your needs:
1. Magnesium Capsules
Capsules are a convenient way to ensure adequate magnesium intake. Popular forms include:
Magnesium citrate: Highly bioavailable and excellent for constipation relief.
Magnesium glycinate: Gentle on the stomach, ideal for stress and sleep support.
Magnesium threonate: Supports cognitive health and memory.
Aquamin TG Marine Magnesium: A natural, marine-derived source rich in magnesium and 72 other trace minerals, offering enhanced bioavailability and additional health benefits.
Capsules are ideal for those requiring targeted health support.
We recommend Napiers Sea Pure Magnesium Capsules. Napiers Sea Pure Magnesium is a premium supplement containing highly absorbable bioactive marine magnesium. Harvested from the pristine waters of the Irish Sea, this magnesium formula provides a high-strength dose of this essential mineral, plus a rich source of trace minerals for superior absorption and utilisation by the body.
2. Magnesium Creams
Topical magnesium creams, such as those containing Zechstein magnesium chloride, are absorbed directly through the skin, bypassing the digestive system. They are particularly effective for:
Relieving muscle tension
Supporting restful sleep
Hydrating the skin with ingredients like shea butter
Reducing localised pain and inflammation
These creams are perfect for people with digestive issues or sensitive stomachs.
For those looking for a magnesium cream, we recommend Napiers Magnesium Muscle & Sleep Cream. Our Magnesium cream allows natural elemental magnesium to be absorbed directly through our skin. This all natural cream utilises ultra pure Zechstein magnesium chloride, delivering 500mg of magnesium chloride per 5ml usage (providing 60mg elemental magnesium). Zechstein magnesium is harvested from a primordial sea over 250 million years old and untouched by human activity and pollution.
3. Magnesium Sprays
Similar to creams, magnesium sprays are applied directly to the skin for quick absorption. They are particularly convenient for targeting specific muscle areas after workouts or during cramps.
For those looking for a magnesium spray, we recommend Napiers Magnesium Oil Body Spray. It delivers 200mg of elemental magnesium per 10 sprays, helping to support muscle relaxation, joint comfort, and restful sleep. Sourced from pure Zechstein magnesium chloride, it absorbs rapidly to soothe and replenish, especially when massaged into tired muscles or joints.
FAQs About Magnesium
1. What is the best magnesium supplement?
The best magnesium supplement depends on your needs. For sleep, magnesium glycinate is ideal. For muscle recovery, magnesium citrate is highly effective. Topical options like Zechstein magnesium creams are excellent for targeted relief.
2. Can you take too much magnesium?
Excessive magnesium from supplements can cause side effects such as diarrhoea and abdominal cramping. Stick to the RDI unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.
3. How can I tell if I’m magnesium deficient?
Symptoms like fatigue, muscle cramps, and sleep disturbances may indicate a deficiency. A blood test is the most accurate way to confirm low magnesium levels.
4. Are magnesium creams as effective as capsules?
Magnesium creams are effective for localised benefits like muscle relaxation and hydration, while capsules provide systemic support. Both can be used together for comprehensive health benefits.
This year marks an extraordinary milestone for us at Napiers: our 165th anniversary.
Founded in 1860 by my great-grandfather, Duncan Napier, our mission has always been to bring natural health care to all. As we prepare to celebrate this momentous...
Free Webinar | Discover herbal approaches to Long Covid and Lyme Disease with three leading herbalists. Live Q&A, practical protocols, and trusted remedies.
For 165 years, Napiers the Herbalists has been dedicated to providing high-quality herbal medicine, ensuring accessibility and affordability for all who seek natural health solutions. We are grateful for your continued trust and support.
Why Are ...