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Sports Season Means Sore Muscles: Ingredients Commonly Found in Topical Relief

We are well into the Fall season which means cold weather and sports are here once again! Basketball has just begun, football is in full swing, and of course other sports continue into winter with indoor hockey and soccer. Hard work pays off and winning championships is no easy accomplishment! With all that hard work comes body strain and sore muscles. Many will seek to soothe their aches, especially with remedies made from all natural ingredients. Topical balms and salves are popular products for muscle and joint pain relief which are typically formulated with a variety of natural ingredients. Jedwards has a wide range of plant-based ingredients such as essential oils, waxes, and butters commonly formulated in these forms of pain relief products.

Essential Oils

In addition to providing a pleasant scent, essential oils often contain compounds that can potentially contribute to reducing inflammation. Oils containing camphor or menthol can provide a cooling sensation on the skin, while oils such as Clove Oil can have a warming sensation. Some highly desired oils for topical relief are, but not limited to:

  • Camphor Oil – White
  • Cassia Oil
  • Clove Oil
  • Eucalyptus Oil
  • Peppermint Oil

Bases

Muscle relief balms can range from being very waxy to extremely creamy. Many use natural plant-based waxes or petroleum-derived products as a base for easy application and stability within the product. Jedwards International carries a variety of natural and petroleum-derived waxes; three of the most popular for formulating topical products are Beeswax, Paraffin wax, and Candelilla wax.

For additional moisture or a creamier texture, butters or carrier oils can be blended into formulations. Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, or Hemp Seed Oil are common ingredients found in balms and salves. Hemp Seed Oil is frequently used in the formulation of CBD based topicals which have risen in popularity throughout the personal care industry. Carrier oils and butters are also preferred bases for a lighter feeling on the skin, as opposed petroleum which can feel greasy.

Emulsifying agents and other raw materials such as vitamin e, stearic acid, or lecithin can improve stability and the shelf-life of these resulting products. Sunflower or soy lecithin are common emulsifying agents added to formulations, which act as a surfactant that decreases the surface tension between two liquids.

Start shopping today for bulk ingredients at wholesale pricing on bulknaturaloils.com.