How to Use Dr. Bronner’s Arnica-Menthol Organic Magic Balm

I’m sitting among a tower of tissues as I write this, nose rubbed raw from wiping away the product of a thousand sneezes. I’m sick and sore, and figured it was a perfect time to talk about the latest Dr. Bronner’s creation: our new Arnica-Menthol Organic Magic Balm.

Whether you’ve fallen prey to the seasonal flu (complete with all the magical aches & pains) or you’re experiencing the humbling groans of an aging body, there’s nothing quite like the stimulating chill and subsequent relief of a menthol massage.

David Bronner (CEO of Dr. Bronner’s) created this balm a few years ago to heal his own aches and pains from surfing. Soon enough, he started giving the stuff out to friends and family to help treat their backaches and arthritis, and they urged him to bring the product to market.

It’s certainly great for soothing aching muscles & joints; but, like all Dr. Bronner’s products, there are quite a few other uses for it:

• Clear up congestion. Just massage the balm onto your chest. You can even dab a tiny bit underneath your nose—not inside of it—to help unblock sinuses.
• Relieve tired, sore feet. Coupled with a foot massage, this is a must-try. Slip on some thick, comfy socks to trap in your body heat and amplify the skin-softening power.
• Soothe itchiness from insect bites—simply apply a thin layer to the affected areas. It can even act as a repellent.
• Ease lower back pain during menstruation. If your pain is severe, rub the balm on your lower back to help make daily tasks more tolerable.
• Relieve headaches. Just massage a pea-sized amount on your temples, being careful to avoid getting too close to your eyes, as the vapors from the balm can cause you to tear up.
• Moisturize dry, cracked skin—especially great in the winter. Elbows, knees, feet, hands. Wherever your skin needs a bit more love and attention.

The balm, David says, is ideal for athletes, parents, farmers and everyday folks who need effective relief.

Like my co-worker, Karina, who looks after three kids and more than a dozen animals before driving to work each morning. Or our president, Mike Bronner, who recently welcomed enchanting baby Alora into our lives. Whether you’re changing the world from inside a cubicle or by running after toddlers all day, we could all use a little more self-care now and then.

But, of course, the magic balm wouldn’t be magical if it wasn’t made ethically and with the utmost care for our environment.

Organic arnica oil is the star of the show here. Grown primarily in Siberia, central Europe and mild climates in North America, this healing herb can help reduce inflammation and pain caused by muscle sprain or strains; increase circulation; relieve pain from insect bites; and promote wound healing.

This balm is for external use only, and should not be applied to cuts or burns. We recommend doing a test patch to ensure you aren’t sensitive to any of the ingredients.

Q & A

• Is the balm certified organic?
  • Yes, it’s USDA certified organic.

• Is it cruelty free?
  • Yes, none of our products or ingredients that are used at any step of the way are tested on animals. The balm, like all of Dr. Bronner’s products, bears the Leaping Bunny logo, which is the mark of the CCIC (the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics).

• Is it vegan?
  • No, the balm contains certified organic (by Non-GMO Project), ethically sourced beeswax. Note that queen bees are not mishandled, threatened, or killed during any part of the process, and their wings are in no way clipped in order to contain them in the hive. Also, the colony is not destroyed after production of the beeswax.

• How is it different than other menthol balms?
  • Our balm is not petroleum based, but instead incorporates a base of organic beeswax and organic oils. It’s also USDA certified organic and contains certified fair trade oils.

• Does it leave a greasy film?
  • No, the balm doesn’t leave a residue and is readily absorbed into the skin.

• Is the smell overpowering?
  • The scent of menthol is mild, not overwhelmingly strong.