4.4 Balms and liniments.

> Hi,I just wonder if anyone has any info about how to make your own balms and liniments.

From: Shannon Brophy <shannon.yoga.com>:

To make a liniment:
First infuse the plant in oil. Do this by baking at low heat (120-170 degrees) in a glass pan with herb and oil together, stir occasionally.
Then strain with cheesecloth and a funnel to separate plant material from the oil. Squeeze out the cheesecloth. Then grate beeswax and add to hot oil, maybe heating again over a double boiler on the stove. Pour the viscous green stuff into jars and allow to cool. Can keep in the fridge for a longer shelf life. Also, adding vitamin E oil to the mixture helps preserve it.

Shannon Brophy, Midwife
visit the Roots & Wings Website at http://www.yoga.com

From: Andy & Sharon <email.naturesway.ukonline.co.uk>:

One of the most popular liniments for muscle-, head- and backache is Tigerbalm.
Tradition will have it that the Mongolian Horsemen from Genghis Khan, roaming the plains of central Europe, had a very effective ointment against saddle and back ache. Part of this ointment came from the Siberian Birch Tree. A mixture was made out of lard, camphor and birch tree oil. For ages this ointment was in use and got quite famous.

At the end of the last century many products were replaced by synthetic components. The useful part of the birch oil (methyl salicylate) and the camphor oil (the crystals) were available in synthetic form. This made the ointment cheap and within reach for everyone.

A Chinese merchant composed a mixture of methyl salicylate, camphor crystals and petroleum jelly, which he called Tigerbalm. It became famous throughout the Orient and parts of Europe under this name.
How to make it: First you have to blend the oils. You can use the mix pure or add it to petroleum jelly (vaseline) later on to make a balm.

Tigerbalm Oil - Natural - Recipe 1

Wintergreen oil  45 ml
Camphor oil      15 ml
Eucalyptus oil    7 ml
Lavender oil      5 ml
Peppermint oil    8 ml
Almond oil       20 ml

Tigerbalm Oil - Natural - Recipe 2

Peppermint oil   25 ml
Camphor oil      15 ml
Wintergreen oil  20 ml
Lavender oil     15 ml
Eucalyptus oil   15 ml
Jojoba oil       10 ml

Tigerbalm Oil - Partly natural

Methyl salicylate   25 ml
Menthol crystals     5 g
Camphor crystals    10 g
Eucalyptus oil      10 ml
Lavender oil         5 g
Paraffin oil       45 ml

Tigerbalm
To make tigerbalm take 100 gram petroleum jelly (vaseline) (acid-free) and melt this by placing, for instance, a glass with vaseline in a pan of hot water. The vaseline will melt quickly.
Once melted place the glass in a pan of cold water, and as soon as the vaseline hardens again on the side of the glass, add 20 ml of your Tigerbalm oil mix. Stir until cool. If you prefer the balm to have a colour, add a drop of chlorophyll.

Apply a little bit to the forehead for headaches, or use it for muscle pains and insect bites.

>I find tiger balm/vaseline, to be too greasy for me. I created a simple rub for my lower back pain (due to herniated disk) that provides some relief. It consists of essential oil of Wintergreen and oil of St. John's Wort, added to a base of Aloe Vera gel.
>The Aloe Vera gel is non-greasy and absorbs completely (to the touch). This mixture also feels like it absorbs completely, and no staining of my clothes as of yet.
>Can I make the above "Tigerbalm", but use the aloe vera gel? As well, my herb book indicated that oil of wintergreen is good for pain and inflammation. Could you also post what the other herbs are targeted for?

From: email.naturesway.ukonline.co.uk to above:
I cannot see any reason why you should not use your gel; the vaseline is used to hold the oils together.
Here are some ways the oils react with your skin; as you can see lavender detoxifies, while eucalyptus vitalizes, peppermint refreshes etc.

Essential oils and how they affect your skin

1. GREASY SKIN

Sage      : relaxes, improves blood circulation
Peppermint: refreshes, cools
Valerian  : calms
Clove     : disinfects
Camphor   : Disinfects, sedating
Cypress   : Refreshing, relaxing

2. UNCLEAN SKIN

Cajeput    :  Improves perspiration
Rosemary   :  Improves blood circulation
Valerian   :  Calming
Camphor    :  Disinfects, sedates

3. THICK, PALE AND WEAK SKIN

Oregano   : Widens the blood vessels
Melissa   : Refreshes, tonic
Geranium  : Refreshing
Linden blossom : Soothing

4. INFECTED SKIN

Juniper   : Disinfects
Lavender  : Healing
Cajeput   : Improves perspiration
Fir       : Refreshes, regulates

5. SENSITIVE, THIN, QUICKLY IRRITATED SKIN

Cypress    : Relaxes, refreshes
Pine       : Balances, refreshes
Melissa    : Against cramps
Chamomile  : Sedating
Therebinth : Softening

6. TIRED SKIN

Lavender    : Detoxifying
Eucalyptus  : Vitalizing
Cajeput     : Improves perspiration
Verbena     : Calming
Lemongrass  : Improves blood circulation

7. BODY CARE (GENERAL)

Oregano   :  Strengthening
Thyme     :  Disinfecting
Mint      :  Tonic
Geranium  :  Refreshing