Camphor Oil
What is it?:
Camphor oil is a common ingredient used for pain relief, especially in topical analgesics. It can help muscle aches and pains while stimulating circulation by interacting with sensory nerves.
What do the studies say?:
"Over-the-counter camphor-containing balms have also been used to provide analgesia. Recent research has implicated three receptors in camphor's mechanism of action, TRPV3, the capsaicin receptor—TRPV1, and the garlic receptor—TRPA1"
Xu H., Blair N.T., Clapham D.E., Camphor activates and strongly desensitizes the transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 channel in a vanilloid-independent mechanism. J Neurosci. 2005; 25: 8924-8937
Capsicum Powder
What is it?: This compound is well-known for its pain-relieving properties. It works by affecting the neurotransmitter that communicates pain signals to the brain. In this way, it can reduce the perception of pain.
What do the studies say?: "Capsaicin, the main component in chili peppers, has immense ethnopharmacological potential, and has served as one of the main adjunctive treatments for neuropathic pain such as PHN"
"As topical capsaicin is able to provide efficient pain relief with fewer central nervous system effects and a minimal drug regimen burden, it seems to be an ideal candidate as a first-line agent in the management of PHN"
Yong YL, Tan LT-H, Ming LC, Chan K-G, Lee L-H, Goh B-H and Khan TM (2017) The Effectiveness and Safety of Topical Capsaicin in Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Front. Pharmacol. 7:538. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00538
Menthol
What is it?:
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from the oils of corn mint, peppermint, or other mints. It is used to treat minor aches and pains of muscles/joints. The cooling sensation it provides creates a distraction from the feeling of aches/pains your muscles and joints may have.
What do the studies say?:
"Menthol's familiar cooling sensation is the flip side to capsaicin's burning, although it's not expected to "max out" neurons and cause desensitization like capsaicin. Essentially, it creates a pleasant diversion from pain or other irritations — a reasonable goal, particularly if it can outlast the pain, but not really a treatment for pain or inflammation. Camphor has a similar effect."
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing
MSM
What is it?:
MSM (Methylsulfonemethane) is a naturally occuring compound in foods such as fresh vegetables, meat, dairy products, and can be created synthetically.
What do the studies say?:
MSM is alluded to be an effective agent against muscle soreness because of its anti-inflammatory effects as well as its possible sulfur contribution to connective tissue. Endurance exercise-induced muscle damage was reduced with MSM supplementation, as measured by creatine kinase.
Butawan, Matthew et al. “Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement.” Nutrients vol. 9,3 290. 16 Mar. 2017, doi:10.3390/nu9030290