Though Topical Analgesics are seen primarily as menthol–based pain relieving creams and, because they’re regulated by the FDA, ensure effective pain mitigation, many would consider it merely marketing that differentiates various products within this category. That said, the scrupulous buyer always benefits from “taking a look under the
hood.”
Herbal formulas that are created using Traditional Chinese Medicine methodology require intention, precision, and a Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis. Just like you can’t plan how to get somewhere if you don’t know where you currently stand, you can’t treat that which you haven’t identified as pathologic (or imbalanced). Each herb in a formula is handpicked, not only for its primary role, but oftentimes for the critical role it plays within the formula as a whole. It is also dosed according to that role, always keeping in mind what the goal of the entire formula is intended to do.
musclemud treats pain as a topical analgesic. It also uses Traditional Chinese Medicine methodology to cool blood and move qi and blood stagnation. This diagnosis is the starting point for the magic which is musclemud. It is what’s worth looking under the hood to reveal.
musclemud needs to cool, because its optimal application time is immediately following a workout when muscles are hot and tired – it does this primarily by enlisting the help of rhubarb (Da Huang).
It needs to move qi and blood as well because repetitive movements leave muscles in need of nutrients and oxygen for repair. musclemud does this primarily by pairing frankincense (Ru Xiang) with myrrh (Mo Yao) along with two forms of turmeric(Jiang Huang and Yu Jin) and corydalis (Yan Hu Suo) to help the body flush what it no longer needs (like inflammation) and usher in new nutrient – rich blood. musclemud also needs an intention – is it supposed to sit on top of the skin, or sink deeply into the muscles? Luffa (Si Gua Lou) invites it past the skin layers. And if it is supposed to absorb into the skin, where should the formula be directed further? Yes, there are herbs that direct herbal formulas to every part of the body — the lungs, the head, and in this case musclemud is directed to the deeper muscles and tendons within the body using herbs like quince fruit (Mu Gua) and Gentiana (Qin Jiao).
Each herb serves a purpose. Ease purpose is dosed according to the intention of the whole formula. The intention of the whole formula is based on a Chinese Medicine diagnosis. The Chinese Medicine Diagnosis is the root cause of your pain. musclemud works to treat your pain, but also its root cause.
This is how Chinese Medicine Does is Differently.