Liniments are solutions or mixture of various substances in oil,
alcoholic solution of soap, or emulsions, intended for external application.
They are applied with rubbing to the affected areas and that is why they were
once called embrocations.
Dental liniments are solutions
of active substances which are rubbed into the gums, but they are no longer
official.
Liniments are usually applied
to the skin with friction and rubbing, the oil and soap base providing for ease
of application and massage. Alcoholic liniments are intended generally for
their rubefacient, counterirritant, mildly astringent and penetrating effects.
They penetrate the skin readily than the oil base. Therefore, oily liniments
are milder in their action but are more useful when massage is desired. Some
liniments are solely used as protective coating depending on the ingredients in
the preparation. Liniments should not be applied on bruises and broken skin.
Liniments usually contain
methyl salicylate, menthol and camphor in their preparations.
Example of Liniments and Their Preparation
Camphor Liniment, NF, BP
Other Names: Linimentum Camphoras or Camphorated Oil
Formula:
Camphor 200 g
Cottonseed Oil 800 g
To make 1000 g
Preparation
Place the cottonseed oil into
a suitable dry flask or bottle, heat on a steam bath, add camphor and stopper
the container securely. Agitate to dissolve the camphor without further heating.
Uses: Mild counterirritant for inflamed joints, sprains, rheumatism
and in other inflammatory conditions such as cold in throat and chest, in
infants and children.
Remarks: The liniment should never be prepared in an open dish, as
much of the camphor will volatilize. Although “camphorated oil” is often applied
to this liniment and also frequently to indicate “Camphor Injection” a sterile
10% solution of camphor in olive oil or other fixed oil and which is used
hypodermically as a stimulant. The two products must not be confused.
Camphor and Soap Liniment, NF
Other Names: Linimentum Camphorae et Saponis, Soap Liniment, Liquid
Opodeldoc and Camphorated Tincture of Soap.
Formula:
Camphor, in small pieces 45 g
Soap, dried and granulated 60 g
Rosemary Oil 10 ml
Alcohol 700 ml
Purified Water, q.s. ________
To make 1000 ml
Preparation:
Dissolve camphor and rosemary
oil in alcohol, add the soap and sufficient quantity of purified water to
measure 1000ml. Agitate to dissolve the soap, set aside in a cool place for 24
hours and filter.
Uses: Local irritant, mild rubefacient, and weak local anesthetic
for sprains, bruises and rheumatism. It also forms the basis for other
liniments.
Remarks: The official hard soap should be used; soap made from
animal oils will cause felatinization. If soap shaving from bar soap are used,
dry thoroughly and then run thru a mill or grater.
Chloroform Liniment, NF
Other Name: Linimentum Chloroformi
Formula:
Chloroform 300 ml
Camphor and Soap Liniment 700
ml
To make 1000 ml
Preparation: Mix the ingredients by agitation
Uses: Applied to the skin as stimulant and rubefacient for the
production of counterirritation in the treatment and relief of myalgias,
neuralgias, and certain forms of involvement of joints and particular
structures.
