Ideal Bite

Got an ache that's cramping your style, but also have a date who won't want you smelling like Aunt Edna?

03.17.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Fri, 03/17/2006 - 6:00pm.

The Bite:

While many muscle creams at the grocery store are chock full of synthetic chemicals, nature has provided a wealth of organic remedies that soothe sore joints and wounds – and they smell better too.

The Benefits:

Skip products with synthesized ingredients and opt for treatments made with natural ingredients. Though methyl salicylate, the chief ingredient in BenGay, is abundantly found in Sweet Birch and Eastern teaberry, Pfizer prefers to synthesize it.
Arnica, the most common ingredient in natural salves, is a naturally occurring plant known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain.
Most natural and organic salves are cruelty-free, while many supermarket varieties, including BenGay, are tested on animals.

Personally Speaking:

Jen calms her pitta personality with the ayurvedic rub below after her yearly ski trips. (If the words “pitta personality” threw you off, take this ayurvedic self-test).

Wanna Try:

Auromere Ayurvedic Neem Balm - get your vata, pitta, or kapha in balance as you assuage sore muscles ($12.50).
Neal's Yard Organic Arnica Muscle Salve – replete with olive oil, seje rainforest oil, soy oil, comfrey, rosemary, and lavender ($22).
Kuumba Made Joint Support – eucalyptus, ginger, cinnamon and lavender soothes injuries, sore muscles, arthritis, bruises, reduces swelling, eases fibrosis and varicose veins ($12).
Weleda Arnica Ointment – treat bruises, sprains, sore and aching muscles ($8.00).
Mountain Rose Injur Heal Balm – great for use after arduous exercise, exertion or injury. Organic Arnica Flowers, St. John's Wort and calendula prevent, relieve and reduce swelling, bruises and pain ($4.75).
Badger Sore Muscle Rub - 70% organic, with hints of ginger, cardamom, lemongrass, and sage. Tins are made with 78% post consumer recycled material ($4.49).

Cocktail Fact

Some Olympic athletes swear by an age-old Ukrainian method for healing muscles that involves hot compresses of garlic cabbage.

Bang For The Bite

Between 25 and 50 million animals die in testing laboratories each year in America. Nowadays, cruelty-free products are easy to find and won’t cost you or animals an arm and a leg.

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