Hey there! 🎆
How about the dive into methyl salicylate? I got into reading about it since I was offered a rub with it as an ingredient recently, and wow, did I learn some fascinating stuff about it! 🧐
Methyl salicylate might not ring a bell right away, but it’s actually the main ingredient in a lot of muscle rubs we rely on for aches and pains. It's that signature wintergreen smell that hits you when you open the jar. 🍃 It's excellent for easing muscle pain and joint discomfort because it acts as a counter-irritant. Essentially, it creates a mild irritation or inflammation to distract your body from deeper pain. But, as I dug deeper, I discovered there's a lot more to this compound. 🕵️♀️
So, what exactly is methyl salicylate? It’s a natural compound found in wintergreen oil, sweet birch, and some other plants. It’s part of the salicylate family, which also includes aspirin. When applied to the skin, methyl salicylate is absorbed and converted into salicylic acid, which has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a go-to ingredient for topical pain relief products. So, a lot of us use it in one form or another. 🤔
Ther’s a big but in this though, as methyl salicylate can be quite dangerous if misused. 🚩 Ingesting even small amounts can be deadly, particularly for children. For example, a teaspoon of oil of wintergreen contains about as much salicylate as 20 aspirin tablets, making it a common cause of poisoning in kids. Adults aren't immune either; excessive use of topical creams with methyl salicylate can lead to serious health issues. There have been cases where people absorbed too much through their skin, resulting in salicylate poisoning. ☠️
Remember the 17-year-old athlete died from overusing a pain relief cream? Yeah. 😔 About 77% of poisoning cases reported involve children under six. Many medicated oils and ointments, have high levels of methyl salicylate. So it's crucial to use these products carefully and keep them away from children (and pets!) to prevent accidental poisoning. ⚠️
As proper use is crucial, these products must not be used more than recommended, and must not be applied frequently. 🙅♀️ Overuse can lead to unwanted side effects or skin irritation. They should be strictly used on the skin only, avoid getting it in eyes, nose, mouth, or any other sensitive areas. If it does, rinse it off immediately. We must also not apply it to wounds, broken, damaged, or irritated skin. And strictly follow the instructions on the medicine label if we’re using it without a prescription----that’s a doozy isn’t it? Lots of things to remember and follow. 😅
It's still very surprising how ubiquitous the use of these products are, but rarely do anyone know the proper use of it. It’s something most of us have in our medicine cabinets after all, and used around children and elderly of the family. 👨👩👧👦
How about we go into the safer alternative now? 😝 Oleia Oil ofc! ✔️ Unlike methyl salicylate-based rubs, Oleia Oil is packed with natural ingredients like olive oil, moringa seed oil, and pomegranate seed oil. These oils provide anti-inflammatory benefits without the risk of toxicity. It’s a great option for soothing sore muscles and joints naturally and safely. We can slather all we want as often as we want---use it for massages too! 💆
So, next time you’re dealing with an ache or pain, how about giving Oleia a go? It’s effective and a safer choice especially for children, our elderly and our pets too. Show me your bottle and I’ll show you mine? ‘Til next time! 🤓
xo L
👀: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/methyl-salicylate
https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000177
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859737/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/menthol-and-methyl-salicylate-topical-application-route/proper-use/drg-20526859
