How to Make Old Fashioned Liniment

Folk medicines and natural remedies include the use of topical ointments or liquids to ease aches and pains and help heal bruises or small wounds. The word "liniment" comes from the Latin word, "linere" which means to smear. According to Patricia Benjamin, author of "Rub it On, Rub it In," "For thousands of years, oils from plants and botanical remedies have been rubbed into the skin for their healing effects." Liniments may include rubbing alcohol, aromatic herbs, spices and olive oil. Modern liniments are available in traditional rubbing liquids, gels and extended-relief patches.

Things You'll Need

• 1 pt. rubbing alcohol
• 1 oz. powdered myrhh
• 1/2 oz. powdered goldenseal
• 1/4 oz. cayenne
• Strainer
• Cheesecloth
• Jar or bottle with lid
• Cajeput
• Camphor
• Oil of sassafras
• Oil of wintergreen
• Menthol
• Oil of mustard
• Rubbing alcohol

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Instructions

Alcohol-Based Liniment

• 1

  Pour a pint of rubbing alcohol into a jar and add 1 oz. of powdered myrrh, 1/2 oz. of powdered goldenseal and 1/4 oz. of cayenne pepper.

• 2

  Mix well and strain through cheesecloth into another jar.

• 3

  Shake the jar each day to continue to mix the ingredients. If the mixture feels grainy, strain it until smooth.

• 4

  Seal and label the jar. For external use only.

An Emollient Liniment

• 5

  Combine 2 parts cajeput, 2 parts camphor,1 part each oil of sassafras, menthol and oil of wintergreen, 1/8 part oil of mustard and 64 parts rubbing alcohol in a jar or bottle.

• 6

  Add water to the mixture until it becomes cloudy.

• 7

  Cover and shake the ingredients well. Allow mixture to sit for several days before using it. Shake it each day to continue the blending process.

• 8

  Seal and label the bottle. For external use only.