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What the name means: Magnesium is named after a region in Thessaly, Greece called Magnesia. This region provided an ore called magnesia alba (magnesium carbonate). In 1808 Humphry Davy suggested calling the element magnium (so that it would not be confused with manganese). However, by this time the name magnesium was well established around Europe.

 Who identified magnesium? Magnesium carbonate (magnesia alba) was well known to the early alchemists. In 1618 a man named Henry Wicker noticed that thirsty cows avoided drinking from one particular water hole in Epsom, England. The water, rich in calcium sulphate that made it taste bitter, was found to help heal wounds and sores. Epsom became a spa where people came to bathe in the mineral-rich waters. Magnesium metal was isolated from magnesium oxide (magnesia) mixed with water by Humphry Davy in 1808.

About magnesium: Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal belonging to the second period of the periodic table. It is a strong, greyish metal that can be made into filings, ribbon and powder. It is never found as an element in nature since it is very reactive and forms compounds. Magnesium is an essential element for plants and animals. In plants it is needed for the process of photosynthesis to take place.