Looking through the archives folks tend to use magnesium citrate as direct substitute for the Epsom Salts . It is taken at the same time as the Epsom Salts . If it's in powder form the same quantity of 1 tablespoon and if it's in liquid form they recommend 5oz at a time which is usually half a bottle.

They are many variations to this recommendation but it is a good starting position to find out how your body will react to the magnesium citrate.

I can't clarify the actions of the sulfate/citrate components of the salts, but I do know that it is the magnesium that performs the relaxing and diarrhetic benefits.

I believe that the salt form affects how easily the body separates the magnesium from the carrier which would then affect bioavailability. Mg stearate is nearly inseparable and thus is often used as a supplement filler. Mg sulfate is easily separated and present in natural springs(important resources for sanitariums a century or more ago), thus accessible and considered safe, so that may be why it is most frequently used. And from my observation, since it was the form used 100+ years ago when these protocols were incorporated into 'treatments', naturopaths and the like of today, are reluctant to deviate too much from this path, but do acknowledge the usefulness of other forms of Mg.

I personally try to supplement with the malate form of magnesium during the week before a flush to get the benefit of the extra malic acid once the tablets are broken down.

I not 100% certain but pretty sure that it’s the presence of magnesium alone that dilates just about every thing. When magnesium is taken as chelate in a food supplement it dilates the blood vessels and is suppose to be good for raynaud's syndrome. At birth it can be administered to dilate the uterus.

It appears to be emerging as a wonder additive and can be consumed in a number of forms either in chelated (bound to) forms. Or inorganic or ionic magnesiums include sulphate, oxide, citrate, carbonate, bicarbonate and chloride.

Some supplement companies make so-called chelated magnesiums but the chelate (bound to) is partial and the raw material contains some percentage of ionized, unbound or inorganic magnesium. Ionized magnesium may cause diarrhea in many users and, therefore, not correct a cellular magnesium deficiency. Diarrhea, or soft stools, caused by any form of magnesium can make a magnesium deficiency worse.

Looks like we all need to take some magnesium after flushing to restore the loss of this electrolyte and possibly others as well.

There is so much to learn!

New Zealand is very deficient in magnesium and the population is supposed to suffer because of it. Iowa City had a water tonic industry based upon its magnesium springs. The problem is that you can't take magnesium on it own because it is a metal so it has to be ingested as a salt or bound to another compound.

Magnesium bicarbonate, for example, is a complex hydrated salt that exists only in water under specific conditions. It does not occur in a solid form. This makes it difficult to distribute. Water containing magnesium bicarbonate is considered to be appropriately mineralised. Indeed, medical research from many countries has demonstrated that people live longer when they drink water that is appropriately mineralised. When consumed, magnesium bicarbonate rapidly enters body cells.

Magnesium Carbonate is the basis of anti acids like Gaviscon.

Milk of magnesia is magnesium hydroxide a saline type laxative. This means that the magnesia acts to pull a salt or saline solution into the intestines from the blood. This excessive fluid then provides a flushing or laxative action within the intestines

Foods rich in magnesium are also usually rich in potassium such as nuts, beans, oats, etc.

Well I think that is enough to be getting on with at the moment.

Telman