Devendra Ayurved Ashram — authentic Ayurvedic medicines since 1971

Balm

Ayurvedic balm for colds, headache and aches

One little jar for a blocked nose, a throbbing head or a stiff back.

Balm by Devendra Ayurved Ashram

10 g: ₹50

Devendra's Balm is a classic Ayurvedic rub: menthol, camphor, thymol and clove, eucalyptus and turpentine oils in a soft oil-and-beeswax base.

The pack says that rubbing it on relieves catarrh and colds, and pain of the chest, back, head, teeth and joints, and that it can be dabbed on pimples.

Used for

  • Blocked nose & catarrh
  • Headache
  • Chest, back & joint pain
  • Toothache

Why a balm helps

Colds block the nose with swollen membranes and mucus; tension and inflammation make muscles and joints ache. Aromatic oils don't cure either, but they act on nerve endings in the skin and nose to make breathing feel easier and pain feel smaller.

Ayurveda counts camphor, mint and clove among the pungent, penetrating (Tikshna) aromatics that cut through Kapha congestion and calm Vata pain when rubbed on (Mardana).

The balm works in 3 ways

  • Decongesting Vapours — Menthol and eucalyptus's cineole stimulate cold receptors in the nose, so breathing feels clearer; inhaled menthol also raises the cough threshold.
  • Counter-irritant Pain Relief — Camphor and turpentine warm the skin while menthol cools it — counter-irritants that dull muscle and joint pain.
  • Local Anaesthetic & Antiseptic — Clove oil's eugenol numbs a sore tooth and, with thymol, is antiseptic.

Key ingredients

  • Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) — 13 mg. Menthol activates the cold-sensing TRPM8 receptor in the airways and gut, giving a cooling feel, damping the cough reflex and relaxing intestinal smooth muscle; in a human study, menthol vapour raised the cough threshold.
  • Kapoor (Camphor) — 20 mg. Applied to skin, camphor activates the warmth and cold receptors TRPV1 and TRPM8 and then desensitises them — a counter-irritant effect that eases muscle and joint pain and itching. Toxic if swallowed.
  • Ajwain satva (Thymol) — 20 mg. Thymol, the crystalline essence of ajwain, is antiseptic and antifungal and, like menthol, acts on skin temperature receptors to give a warming counter-irritant effect.
  • Laung tel (Clove oil) (Syzygium aromaticum, bud oil) — 50 mg. Clove oil is 70–90 % eugenol, a natural local anaesthetic and antiseptic — the reason it is a traditional remedy for toothache and is still used in dentistry. It is also antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory in experimental studies.
  • Nilgiri tel (Eucalyptus oil) (Eucalyptus globulus, leaf oil) — 20 mg. Eucalyptus oil's 1,8-cineole is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and gives a cooling, decongesting feel when inhaled or rubbed on; applied to skin it is a mild counter-irritant. Contact allergy is uncommon but possible.
  • Tarpeen tel (Turpentine oil) (Pinus roxburghii, resin oil) — 20 mg. Oil distilled from chir-pine resin, long used in liniments for muscle and joint pain. It reddens and warms the skin (a rubefacient), drawing attention away from deeper pain; the pine's resin acids are anti-inflammatory in experimental studies.

Full ingredient list

  • Piperment (Mentha × piperita) — 13 mg
  • Kapoor (camphor) — 20 mg
  • Sat Ajwayan (thymol) — 20 mg
  • Tel Long (Syzygium aromaticum) — 50 mg
  • Tel Neelgiri (Eucalyptus globulus) — 20 mg
  • Tel Haribhari — 20 mg
  • Tel Tarpine (Pinus roxburghii) — 20 mg
  • Tel + Mom (oil and beeswax base) — 1 g

How to use

Dose: Rub gently on the affected area two to three times a day, as described below.

  • For a cold — Rub a little on the throat and chest and breathe in the vapour — not inside the nose.
  • For aches — Massage over the head, back or joint for 2–5 minutes, then keep it covered and warm.
  • Toothache & pimples — Dab a little on the tooth or gum with cotton, or on a pimple after washing — never on broken skin.

Safety & suitability

  • Who it's for: Adults and older children — not babies or young children
  • Pregnancy & nursing: Ask your physician before use
  • Other medicines: Tell your physician what else you take
  • Sensitive skin: Patch test first
  • Storage: Cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
  • Ingredients: See the full list below

Cautions

  • For external use only. Keep away from the eyes and inside of the nose. Do not use on babies or young children — camphor and menthol near a child's face can cause breathing problems.
  • Contains camphor — never swallow, and keep away from children's nose and mouth.

More information

  • Net content: 10 g
  • Storage: Store below 30 °C, away from direct sunlight. Keep the cap tightly closed.
  • Country of origin: India
  • Manufacturer: Devendra Ayurved Ashram Pvt. Ltd., A-12, Industrial Estate, Sujroo, Muzaffarnagar (U.P.) – 251003. Mfg. Lic. No. A-50/77/94 · GMP-certified company.

References