The present invention relates to a process for preparation of herbal pain balm.
The pain balm is used in headache, muscular-pain, sprain etc. i.e. in the pains which are caused due to some localized sensation of specialized nerve endings. Application of the balm to the affected area produces relief by creating counter irritation and burning sensation, owing to the fatique of the sensory receptors there is relief from superficial pain.
There are three relevant formulations presented in Chemical and medicinal formulary of India edited by Dr. B.K. Mehra (1979-80) p. 530 which are the basis for manufacturing Vicks Vaporub, Rubex and Amrutanjan. In these formulations menthol, camphor and thymol are common. While Vicks Vaporub and Rubex have terpentine oil along with myristica oil and nutmeg oils
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respectively in the preparations, Amrutanjan has cinnamon, mentha and rosa oils. Paraffin has been used as a base in all the preparations. Beside these, two formulations are also described in British pharmacoepia Codex under analgesic Balsam, while in one of these menthyl salcylate is the only constituent while in
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the other menthol, eucalyptol and cajupat oil have been used. Bee wax and hydrous woolfat are the bases in both the formulations.
The formulations of Vicks Vaporub and Rubex contain myristica and nutmeg oils respectively. However, both the names are used for the same oil
derived froir the fruits of Myristica fragrance which is an important condiment and the oil has 80% 1 pinene and d camphene which may not be resposible for producing irritation in releaving pain. The important constituent responsible for this activity is eugenol which is present in the myristica oil in comparatively low concentration. So in order to increase the concentration of eugenol large amount of very costly oil is required. Further, the other constituent present in myristica oil, myristicin (3-methoxy 4-5 methylenedioxy-1 allyl benzene) is toxic and narcotic so the use of myristica oil in high concentration should be avoided as the application of the ointment is done by hand. The formulation for the Amrutanjan have cinnamom oil which have cinnamldehyde as major constituent which is reported to produce dermititis in humans and has mutagenic activity.
Formulations described in B.P. Codex are mainly the ointment of methylsalicilate which is a synthetic chemical. To prepare a herbal ointment the constituents used in preparations are derived from herbs/plants. The natural methylsalicylate is present in oil of Gultherea procumbens which is an exotic plant and not common in India.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a formulation useful as herbal pain balm, which obviates the drawbacks as detailed above. Another objective is to provide a formulation ilsing ingredients of natural source which produce less side effects as compared to synthetic ones.
Accordingly the present invention provides a process for preparation of herbal pain balm which comprises mixing thoroughly the ingredients as shown below:
Menthol 4 \o 5 parts/wt.
Thymol 0.5 to 0.1 parts/wt.
Camphor 3 to 5 parts/wt.
Clocimum oil 0.2 to 1 parts/wt.
Terpentine oil 1 part to 2 part/wt.
Eucalyptus oil 0.5 parts to 2 parts/wt.
Waxy base 7.5 parts to 14 parts/wt.
In an embodiment of the present invention*ingredients menthol, thymol, camphor are either used as commercialy available or are isolated from the essential oil of Mentha arvensis, Trachyspermum ammi and Cinnamonum camphora. While total essential oil of Clocimm (Ocimum gratissimuml Terpentine (Pinus species) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) may be utilized.
In another embodiment of the present invention the wax conponent used
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may be such as mixture of petroleum jelly orjiquid paraffin and some natural waxes like purified bees wax, carnauba wax or spearmaceti in a ratio in the range of 1:1 to 1:3.
In another embodiment of the present invention the petroleum jelly may be of commercial or Indian pharmacoepia grade and mixture of oil & components are absorbed over the melted base at a temperature 40-60°C.
A herbal pain balm which is prepared by mixing of menthol (ex. Mentha arvensis). thymol (ex. Trachyspermum ammi). camphor (ex. Cinnamomum camphora). terpentine oil (ex. Pinus species), eucalyptus oil (ex. Eucalyptus globulus) and clocimum oil (Ocimum gratissimum). thoroughly in a vessel on a waterbath (40-60°C), the mixture is absorbed over the previously prepared base by mixing melted beewax and petroleum jelly in ratio 1:1 to 3:1 at 40-60 C, and solution thus produced is kept in airtight container which on cooling upto room temperature produces the herbal pain balm.
The details of the invention are provided in the following examples which are given by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of present invention.
Example-1
For the preparation of mother liquer (M.L.) instead of pure menthol, thymol and camphor the essential oils derived from the plant Mentha arvensis (5ml.), Trachyspermium ammi (2ml.), Cinnamomum camphora (5ml.), were mixed along with Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus and clocimum (Ocimum gratissimum) oils (2ml. each). The warm (40°C) M.L. was absorbed over the base prepared by mixing melted bee was and petroleum jelly (1:1) to make total weight of 25g.
The ointment had very harsh odour due to high percentage of terpenic hydrocarbon and was very oily.
Example-2
All the constituents i.e., menthol, thymol and camphor were isolated from respective plants and M.L. was prepared by mixing menthol (5gm), camphor (5gm), thymol (5gm), clocimum oil (1ml), terpentine oil (1ml), and eucalyptus oil (.5ml). The warm (50 C) ML was mixed to base prepared by mixing melted bee wax and petrolleum jelly (1:1) to make total weight 25 gm.
The ointment had much irritation and was very oily.
Exampie-3
In the third experiment menthol (5gm), camphor (5gm), thymol (0.25gm), eucaiyptusil oil (1ml), clocimum oil (.5ml), and terpentine oil (1ml) were used to prepared ML. the warm (60°C) ML was absorbed over base prepared by mixing bee wax and petroleum jelly (3:1) to make total weight of 25g. The ointment was good but smell was very penetrating and pungent due to the dominating effect of camphor.
Example-4
In the 4th experiment the quantities of menthol, camphor and thymol were reduced and that of terpentine oil and eucalyptus oil were increased to prepare ML as follows.
Menthol (4gm), Camphor (3gm), Thymol (.25gm), Eucalyptus oil (2ml), Terpentine oil (2ml), Clocimum oil (.5ml). The warm (60EC) ML was absorved over melted base prepared bymelted bee wax and petroleum jelly (3:1) to make total weight 25gm.
This ointment has very refreshing smell and smooth for application to any part of the body. The performance trial showed 75-100% relief in muscular skeletal pains after 3-4 applications at suitable intervals while 100% relief was observed within 15-20 minutes in headache.
The formulation of the present invention is neither a product of chemical reaction nor a mere admixture but a synergistic mixture in which the aggregate property of the formulation is different from the sum of the properties of individual ingredients.
The main advantages of the present invention are:
1. All the components used for preparation are derived from natural plants
and therefore, sources are ecofriendly and readily agreeable to users.
2. All the plants are under commercial cultivation in India and raw materials
are available in plenty.
3.- The costly nutmeg and cinnamom oils having toxic compounds have completely been avoided and comparatively cheap clocimum oil has been utilized.
4. Tulsi (common name for Clocimum i.e. Ocimum gratissimum) is sacred
in Indian Society and use of the oil in the preparation will enhance its
popularity and acceptability.
5. Nothing being toxic and a mixture of eucalyptus oil and menthol is being
used for increasing mental efficiency (mood freshner) the ointment can
be utilized as inhaler for relief in cold and influenza.

We claim
1. A process for preparation of herbal pain balm which comprises mixing
thoroughly the ingredients as shown below:
Menthol 4 to 5 parts/wt.
Thymol 0.5 to 0.1 parts/wt.
Camphor 3 to 5 parts/wt.
Clocimum oil 0.2 to 1 parts/wt.
Terpentine oil 1 part to 2 part/wt.
Eucalyptus oil 0.5 parts to 2 parts/wt.
Waxy base 7.5 parts to 14 parts/wt.
2. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the menthol, thymol and
camphor used are isolated from essential oils of Mentha arvensis.
Trachyspermum ammi and Cinnamomum camphora.
3. A formulation as claimed in claims 1 & 2 wherein the waxy base used is
a mixture of petroleum jelly liquid paraffin and natural wax such as bees
wax, camauba spearmaceti in a ratio in the range of 1:3.
4. A formulation as claimed in claims 1-3 wtierein the petrolleum jelly used
is of commercial grade.
5. A formulation as claimed in claims 1-4 wherein the mixing of essential oils
and the constituents with medium is effected at a temperature in the
range of 40-60EC.
6. A process for preparation of herbal pain balm substantially as herein escribed with reference to the examples 3 & 4.