With chilly weather, body aches and pains will increase. Neither the young nor the old will completely miss this rite of passage into and through fall and winter.
Our bodies are just like our cars: They need to be warmed up longer to get that oil and lubrication moving around when it gets colder outside.
Sometimes, the ache from longstanding muscle and joint injury just gets worse even with the proper warm-up.
In the old days maybe just a few words like “rheumatitis,” “arthuritis” or just plain “old age” described the crackles and groans that came up on a brisk fall morning.
What hasn’t changed much from the old days is the rub-on balms that smell so strongly and help ease the cold right out of the body. These are liniments, cremes, balms and oils.
Some of the oldest liniments were used on horses as well as granny. Horse liniments are still useful today, though the smell of kerosene or vinegar may not appeal to the modern nose.
The simplest liniment was made with vinegar brought to a boil, taken off the heat and then had cayenne pepper added. When it had cooled down this would be rubbed vigorously onto a sore body part.
Most of the cremes and balms sold today rely on menthol (which is pricey) to give the impression of either heat or cold.
The sensation on the skin can be so intense, telling whether it is hot or cold is tough to do.
That is why you’ll find menthol in products labeled “heat” as well as those called “arctic freeze.”
These work by causing so many skin nerves to send signals to the brain, you temporarily forget about the ache or pain. These can also have a range of ingredients added such as MSM, Emu Oil, Aloe Vera, Boswellin. Many have colorings added to make them blue or pink.
I like simple anti-inflammatory cremes or liniments like MSM or DMSO. Unlike others based upon menthol, these actually greatly reduce inflammation underlying the pain so there is no cover-up.
Many natural oils not only cause a sensation of heat but also improve blood flow to the sore part.
Some of these are essential oils of true Oregano, Wintergreen, Cayenne, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Peppermint oils.
You can make these yourself with essential oils added to almond, olive or even canola oil. And, don’t forget about CBD balm infused with DMSO.
