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What is Liniment?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

Sore muscles and arthritis can leave people with severe pain. Many lotions, creams, and other products have been created to help soothe this pain. Liniment, a medicinal liquid, is one type of balm manufactured to help ease joint and muscle pain.

Liniments are similar in texture to lotion. They are usually made up of alcohol or acetone, various oils, and camphor. Oils can include wintergreen, turpentine, and other varieties. In addition to relieving pain, liniments can also be helpful in relaxing stiff muscles and treating tendinitis. Some people keep liniments in their first aid kits.

Topical pain liniment is used to relieve all kinds of acute and chronic pain.
Topical pain liniment is used to relieve all kinds of acute and chronic pain.

The ingredients found in liniment can cause mild irritation when applied to the skin. A small patch of skin should be tested prior to fully applying the medication. Use of the embrocation can also cause the blood to flow to the part of the body experiencing pain. For this reason, liniments are also known as warming agents. Some people cite that the warming effect helps to relieve their pain psychologically.

Liniment may be used to ease joint and muscle pain.
Liniment may be used to ease joint and muscle pain.

Latin for "anoint" or "smear," liniment balm must be applied with friction through a rubbing motion in order to provide relief. In China, traditional medicine has called for many different types of liniments for thousands of years. These may not only relieve pain and soreness, but also be used in bone setting and treating bruises.

Strong forms of liniment have also been developed to treat horses. When used as such, they may be diluted first or applied at full concentration, depending on the animal's size and condition. Oftentimes horse caregivers treat their animals with a bath featuring the added element of liniment. Horse groomers may also simply coat their hands with liniment before massaging a horse with the medicine. In addition to alleviating pain in the horses, liniment also serves to help horses cool off in hot, dry weather.

Some liniments may be used by some people to reduce the pain and itching associated with cold sores.
Some liniments may be used by some people to reduce the pain and itching associated with cold sores.

Most liniments come in glass jars or bottles with sealed screw caps. They can last up to a decade if properly stored and cared for. People can use a mister to spray the topical analgesic on their bodies. Glass droppers can also be used for smaller areas.

This remedy is not meant for ingestion. Liniments should only be applied externally and used as directed by the product instructions. If advised, it should also be diluted prior to use. Applying liniment that may be too strong can cause damage, such as blistering of the skin. Sensitive areas, such as the head, groin, and genitals, should be avoided when applying the product.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for WiseGEEK and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for WiseGEEK and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ElizaBennett

You don't hear the term "liniment" much anymore, but it seems like basically the same stuff as Ben-Gay, Icy Hot, etc.

Sometimes you come across it reading classic books. Does anyone else remember the scene in "Anne of Green Gables" where she puts liniment in a cake?

Her foster mother had put liniment (homemade, I assume) into an empty bottle labeled "Vanilla Extract." Anne used it in the cake. The poor lady she served it to was too polite to admit there was anything wrong with it, and Anne was too nervous about having company to taste the cake herself!

I'm imagining a cake made with something like Ben-Gay. Yikes! I'm assuming Anne's form was more liquid than what you see today. It would be hard to mistake Icy-Hot for vanilla. But if it was alcohol-based (like vanilla extract) and thin, I can kind of see doing it.

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    • Topical pain liniment is used to relieve all kinds of acute and chronic pain.
      By: Sensay
      Topical pain liniment is used to relieve all kinds of acute and chronic pain.
    • Liniment may be used to ease joint and muscle pain.
      By: ArTo
      Liniment may be used to ease joint and muscle pain.
    • Some liniments may be used by some people to reduce the pain and itching associated with cold sores.
      By: Artyom Yefimov
      Some liniments may be used by some people to reduce the pain and itching associated with cold sores.
    • Some people keep liniments in their first aid kits.
      By: hansgeel
      Some people keep liniments in their first aid kits.
    • Liniment may help to relieve arthritis pain.
      By: Stephen VanHorn
      Liniment may help to relieve arthritis pain.
    • X-rays may be used to diagnose arthritis, which may be alleviated with liniment.
      By: neftali
      X-rays may be used to diagnose arthritis, which may be alleviated with liniment.
    • Liniment is a medicinal liquid that can help relieve joint and muscle pain, including arthritis.
      By: vbaleha
      Liniment is a medicinal liquid that can help relieve joint and muscle pain, including arthritis.
    • Liniment may be used to treat insect bites.
      By: Dmitry Knorre
      Liniment may be used to treat insect bites.
    • Liniment may help relax stiff back muscles following heavy lifting activities.
      By: CandyBox Images
      Liniment may help relax stiff back muscles following heavy lifting activities.