Naturopathic Herbal Pain Balm Formula

with Non-Analgesic Support Ingredients

Introduction:

The mechanism of suffering 'physical' pain usually followed by an injury can be simply defined as a sensation of severe physical discomfort process.  Pain is a necessary symptom that alerts the body of an injury, yet, when the injury is detected pain is no longer necessary. Pain is not a disease and under that criterion, it can even be measured using different methods of assessment based on the severity and duration of the given affliction.

How and why we feel pain involves basic factors that allow us to understand how to control and alleviate it by addressing the functional origin and metabolic mechanisms that make us experience the suffering process known as pain.

After an injury that affects a nerve, the surrounding muscles are hyper-stimulated and contract creating continuous pressure on the surrounding tissue; infiltration of fluids carrying repair material to the damaged tissue also infiltrate the area resulting in swelling, pain and inflammation. The nerves in the area enter a cycle of persistent pressure and emit continuous messaging to the brain, which in kind responds with pain sensations until the condition finally resolves or develops into a chronic pain syndrome.

N.H.I.L.'s pain balm formula had to address the adjacent areas of pain helping the local strata of muscles to relax and helping to stimulate peripheral circulation causing fluids to be evacuated from the injured area.

This formula is also designed to help increase cellular permeability.  The absorption rate of fluids from the injured cells is increased thereby reducing tissue inflammation and swelling; the damaging pressure on nerve tissue ceases and the pain mechanism cycle is broken.

The desired effect of this pain balm formula had to be a well-balanced new and unique formulation of herbals, oils, vitamins and extracts in a synergistic combination that very effectively and promptly helps correct the conditions that make us experience physical pain at a topical level.

Arthitic cases where joint inflammation always produces pain and limited mobility of the affected are, have shown significant relief when using N.H.I.L.'s pain balm formula. This is a partial set of X rays showing the left and right hands of a 60 years old male that used N.H.I.L.'s pain balm formula for a period of 3 months.

The asterisks (*) show points of inflammation present in the before pictures. Numbers 1 and 2 indicate different degrees of alignment of the fingers and Number 3 indicates a point of general bone inflammation. These results were not typical.

Another desired property for N.H.I.L.'s pain balm formula is that it has a very fast absorption rate leaving no residues and penetrates deep into the tissue layers providing fast, effective natural pain relief.

Active Ingredient:

Methyl Salicylate - Also known as oil of wintergreen, is an external analgesic used in topical creams to relieve pain. This active ingredient with analgesic properties stimulates sensory receptors of warmth and/or cold causing a feeling of coolness and producing a counter-irritant response. Methyl Salicylate produces temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints when associated with backache, arthritis and lessions derived from bruises, strains, sprains and musculoskeletal pain in general.

Other Ingredients: 

Aloe Vera Gel - The mucilaginous juice or gel obtained from the leaves of this plant is widely employed in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for its soothing and healing support properties.

Angelica root - Angelica archangelica has a soothing effect while stimulating the sympathetic nervous system (autonomous nerve system), increasing blood vessels flow.

Black Haw - Reportedly an anti-spasmodic and astringent herb.

Camphor - Obtained naturally from the wood or leaves of the camphor tree used chiefly in external preparations to relieve mild pain and itching. Used as a counter-irritant.

Cayenne - It is a strong rubefacient and acts gently with no danger of vesication.

Chamomile - Used mainly to make an herbal tea yields oil used in flavorings and perfumery. It also relieves inflammation and spasms, promotes wound healing, and fights bacteria.

Cicely - It has been applied externally for the relief of sores, skin rashes and has been used for cuts, swellings and bruises.

Cinnamon - Used as a topical astringent and antiseptic.

Clove - Syzygium aromaticum is an evergreen tree cultivated for its aromatic dried flower buds that are used whole or ground as a spice. It boasts antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and pain-killing effects.

Comfrey root - Comfrey is considered an effective treatment for blunt injuries as bruises, sprains, and dislocations.

Eucalyptus - It acts as a decongestant and improves local circulation.

Gingko - Rich in antioxidants.

Helichrysum - Helps to minimize swelling from bumps and bruises.

Hyssop - Used externally for the relief of muscular rheumatism, and also for bruises and discoloured contusions, and the green herb, bruised and applied, will aid cuts heal promptly.

Lavender - Lavender has been used externally for circulatory disorders. It improves circulation and brings color to the skin.

Life Everlasting - Antennaria margaritaceum has been applied as warm wet topical for pained and bruised limbs.

Menthol - Menthol, after topical application, causes a feeling of coolness due to stimulation of 'cold' receptors by inhibiting Ca++ currents of neuronal membranes. This Ca++ channel blockers are endowed with analgesic properties. Menthol is used in liniments for insect bites, eczema, poison ivy, hemorrhoids, toothaches, and musculoskeletal pain. Used as a counter-irritant.

MSM - Methylsulfonylmethane, a naturally occurring organic sulfur compound used by the body for joint and tissue health.

Mullein - Used as a local application for frost bites and bruises.

Mugwort - Is an herb said to balance neurotransmitters.

Narcissus oil - It has been used as an embrocation to relieve muscular stiffness and pain.

Niacin - It's a component of the B complex; it opens capillary vessels and increases blood flow.

Peppermint - It's on the FDA's GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list. It is one of the world's oldest medicinal herbs, and is used in both Eastern and Western herbalist traditions, as antipruritic, antispasmodic, analgesic, antimicrobial, and rubefacient. Used as a counter-irritant.

Rose Oil - Reportedly a soothing, cooling application for chapping of the hands, face, abrasions and other superficial lesions of the skin.

St. John's Wort - This herb is used for bruises, skin inflammation, wounds and burns.

Valerian root - It has been used as a topical pain reliever.

Yellow Dock - It has an action on dispelling itching of the skin.

References:

1.       American Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, 8th Edition, 1986, American Pharmaceutical Association.

2.       Archives of Dermatologic Research, May 1996, pages 245-248; and Code of Federal Regulations Title 21?Food and Drugs, Revised as of April 1, 2001, CITE: 21CFR310.545, www.fda.gov

3.       British Pharmacopoeia, Volume II, 1988, The British Pharmacopoeia Commission, London.

4.       Canadian Drug Identification Code 19th Ed., 1992, Minister of National Health and Welfare.

5.       Canadian Food and Drug Regulations

6.       Canadian Food and Drug Regulations

7.       Canadian Self-Medication, Third Edition 1988

8.       Compendium of Pharmaceutical Specialties, 26th Edition, 1991, Canadian Pharmaceutical Association.

9.       Compendium of Pharmaceutical Specialties, Twenty-sixth edition, 1991.

10.   Galeotti N, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Mazzanti G, Bartolini A, Ghelardini C. "Menthol: a natural analgesic compound", Department of Pharmacology, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, University of Florence, I-50139, Florence, Italy.

11.   Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, Eight Edition 1986

12.   Martindale, "The Extra Pharmacopoeia", 29th Edition, 1989, Philadelphia College of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

13.   Martindale, Twenty-ninth Edition, 1989

14.   Neuroscience Lett 2002 Apr 322:145-8

15.   Self-Medication, Third Edition, 1988, Canadian Pharmaceutical Association.

16.   United States Federal Register, Vol. 44, No. 234, Dec. 4, 1979, Proposed Rules.

17.   United States Federal Register, Vol. 48, No. 27, Feb. 8, 1983, Proposed Rules.

18.   United States Pharmacopoeia USP XXII National Formulary XVII, 22nd Revision, United States Pharmacopoeial Convention, Inc., 1990.

19.   US FDA OTC Review Panel proposed rules: February 8, 1983, (Federal Register)

20.   USP DI, Drug Information for the Health Care Professional, Vol. I, 1994, 14th Ed. The United States Pharmacopoeial Convention Inc.