Q. Long ago when I was in high school, my baseball coach provided “oil of wintergreen” for our sore muscles. Is this approach still considered valid? Now that I’m pushing eighty, I have a few aches and pains.
A. Oil of wintergreen, also known as methyl salicylate, is a time-honored rub or liniment used for sprains, strains, aches, pains and arthritis. The odor is distinctive.
You will find this compound in products such as Ben-Gay Original Formula, Icy Hot Cream, Musterole Deep Strength Rub, Mentholatum Deep Heating Lotion and Thera-Gesic Crème. Such products stimulate pain receptors for heat or cold and interfere with pain messages from sore muscles or joints. They also increase circulation.
