Homemade or Natural Alternative to Unkers/Icy Hot?

[BlessedMama]

My dh has been using Unkers salve on his elbow. He ran out and used IcyHot last night--phew! I nearly had to sleep in a different room! :p So I look up ingredients...even Unkers seems to use a petroleum base.

Anyone know of a healthier alternative, either to buy or make (I prefer to make, but hey, I'll buy it if it doesn't stink as bad!)

I don't mind the menthol smell, but the IcyHot was really over the top! :help:

I've been searching but not finding much. I did find the muscle salve herb mixture from Bulk Herb Store. Might go with that!

TIA!

[ayj67]

Something with arnica (arnica montana) as major ingredient...

[BlessedMama]

I was just thinking that, ayj!

And I knew you wouldn't let me down! ;)

[VioletSky]

Hi Trisch,

You said that your dh was using Unker's on his elbow, but not what the issue is with the elbow. I like Christopher's ointments, which use a base of olive oil and beeswax, and keep quite a variety on hand for muscle soreness, bug bites, itching, and so on. There is a Christopher formulation called Complete Tissue & Bone that comes in different versions, including capsules, tincture, massage oil, syrup, and ointment. If the formulation is meant to be used on the skin, it contains comfrey. If meant to be taken by mouth, the comfrey has been replaced with something else to comply with the FDA's mandate/suggestion.

Here is a link to the iherb page for the cayenne ointment that we use for muscle soreness: http://www.iherb.com/Christopher-s-Original-Formula-Cayenne-Heat-Ointment-2-fl-oz-59-ml/15653?at=0 The wintergreen fragrance is really nice.

Hugs,
Vi

[MommyRose]

Trisch, We use a salve made with Bulk Herb's muscle salve mix. What I'm currently using I made from herbs a few years old and its still benefiting us. We really like to use it for massaging sore areas. We both feel the relief and the muscles relax. It doesn't in anyway have the menthol feel that icy/hot does. I don't know if it would help his elbow but if it didn't I bet you'd find other uses for it. When my neck has tension I really like rubbing it on and I use it for my belly massages. I've made it twice. The first time I followed their directions and used only coconut oil. We didn't like it as much that way...very greasy...which is why the herbs sat in my cabinet unused for several years! This last time I used some of my butters and other skin oils and made it into more of a cream then a salve and whipped it as it cooled. We like the feel and consistency of it much better this way. In fact, a friend was here and tried some on her stiff sore neck and then asked to buy some from me. Arnica is one of the main herbs of the mix.

[Lori French]

We call this snake oil because it works like magic. We've been using it for 10 (?) years.
http://www.aromasensations.com/muscle_mist.htm
I love this stuff.

[ayj67]

Muscle Mist smells as good a my mother's Chinese herbal oil. White Flower oil, Red Flower Oil, Tiger Balm, Hot/Icy, Bengay, Po Sum On oil...

http://www.livestrong.com/article/211751-herbal-creams-for-pain-relief/

http://natural-herbal-remedies.factoidz.com/tiger-balm-ointment-a-chinese-icon-and-effective-pain-reliever/

[pamelaw]

I make my own with cayenne, olive oil, beeswax and coconut oil. IT brings in a nice heat and then I apply, if needed, Dr. Christophers complete bone and tissue and things heal up fast.

HTH

[ayj67]

I mix inflam-eez, Dr. C's BF&C salve (made by a lady in North Carolina) and a drop of cayenne extract & a little more coconut oil with some OoO for my crack knee cap...

That is my kitchen sink approach.

http://www.mynaturalmarket.com/north-american-herb-spice-infla-eez-rubbing-oil-2-oz.html?mkwid=sZ2hi5ure&crid=10599542217&mp_kw=inflam-eez%20oil&mp_mt=e&gclid=CPn9g7Dn364CFeYbQ

http://www.drchristophers.com/ointments/complete-tissue-bone-ointment.php

http://www.amazon.com/Cayenne-Extract-200-h-u-Ounces/dp/B000N38PLU

[BlessedMama]

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone! :)

[ayj67]

To make the kitchen sink even more effective, you can add some castor oil into the mix if you have it, it will only help.

Remember, also prep the skin before the oil rub, that might as be as essential as whatever ingredients in the rub.

Warm shower or bath or soak (or hot towel covering the area) first for 10 mins before the rub, the warmth and moisture to the area of affliction will help the skin and pores open up. Then rub in gently and deep with whatever oilments or salve you come up with for another 5-10 mins. I follow up with my Infrared LED light pad, and I heal up super fast. You can use castor oil pack and heat pad on top after the rub with similar effect.

[joyfulmom26]

Trisch, for my dh's fractured neck, shoulder blade and ribs we have been using Mag Oil, Dr. Christopher's Complete Tissue and Bone oil and Dr. C's Cayenne oil. Also the CT&B capsules and Stop-Ache capsules. This regimen enabled him to quick taking narcotics soon after being released from the hospital even though he was in a tremendous amount of pain. It is very good!

[joyfulmom26]

I wanted to add that I have used Tiger Balm for years! I have suffered from back pain issues and knee issues for many years. Tiger Balm and Blue Emu have been my *go to*. Of course, I am using them very infrequently now that I am T-tapping! :)

[BlessedMama]

Wow! So many possibilities! I really appreciate everyone's sharing!

Polly, that is wonderful your dh was able to get off the narcotics so soon!

I'll have to research and give dh the scoop and let him decide which way to go first! ;) My one dd remembered an Aches and Pains Salve I bought from Molly's Herbals awhile back. It has some menthol and camphor in it but it is no way near as bad as the IcyHot! Plus it's all natural without the petroleum jelly base. I'll look into the other options and help him decide which way to try first!

Thanks again, everyone!

[Lisa A]

Trisch, when I was having back problems I got a gel called Biofreeze from my chiropractor's office. I love the stuff! LOL! It works like icy/hot but it's supposed to be natural.

[Vanetta]

I've used Sombra "Cool Therapy" that I get from my chiropractor. It is not so hot like regular sombra. There is NO petroleum product in it.