Magnesia phosphorica, sometimes called Mag phos, is a homeopathic remedy prepared using the salt magnesium phosphate. According to homeopathic practitioners, this remedy has many medical uses for a wide variety of health problems, including various types of pain, muscle tension, indigestion, and fatigue. It is often used specifically as an anti-spasmodic remedy and to treat conditions that involve cramping and neuralgic pain, or nerve pain, such as headaches and abdominal cramps. To make this remedy, magnesium sulfate and sodium phosphate are mixed in water, and the resulting crystals of magnesium phosphate are pulverized with lactose before being prepared in the form of liquid dilutions, tinctures, and pills. Magnesium phosphate is considered safe to ingest, but the medical effectiveness of this homeopathic remedy has not been scientifically proven.
Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine that became very popular in the 19th century. In homeopathy, Magnesia phosphorica is a well-known and commonly prescribed remedy for a wide range of health problems. It is used as a sleep aid, to help relaxation, and to treat coughs and colic. It is primarily used for pain relief, however, and may be prescribed to relieve the pain associated with teething, ear infections, and menstruation, as well as muscle pains, toothaches, and headaches.
Similar to other homeopathic remedies, Mag phos is available in various potencies. The potency of a homeopathic remedy does not depend on how much of an active ingredient it contains, but instead on how much the active ingredient has been diluted with water or alcohol, and on how many times the preparation has been vigorously shaken, a procedure known as succussion. Dilution and succussion are thought to activate the medical properties of the ingredients and increase the potency of the remedy. Homeopathic practitioners also believe that the medical effects of a remedy vary depending on its dilution, and how many times it has been shaken.
Magnesia phosphorica has not been scientifically proven to have any health benefits, but it also has no known side effects. Magnesium phosphate, the active ingredient, is listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. This means it is considered safe as an additive in food, cosmetics, and drugs. Outside of homeopathy, it has been used as an antacid and a laxative.