Liniment

Liniment

Liniment, (or embrocation) from the Latin "linere", to anoint, is a medicated topical preparation for application to the skin. Preparations of this type are also called balm. Liniments are of a similar viscosity to lotions (being significantly less viscous than an ointment or cream) but unlike a lotion a liniment is applied "with friction"; that is, a liniment is always rubbed in.fact|date=August 2008

Liniments are typically sold to relieve pain and stiffness, such as from sore muscles or from arthritis. These liniments typically are formulated from alcohol, acetone, or similar quickly evaporating solvents, and contain counterirritant aromatic chemical compounds such as methyl salicilate, benzoin resin or capsaicin. "Opodeldoc" is a sort of liniment invented by the physician Paracelsus. Absorbine Jr is a trade name for a brand of liniment for human use widely sold in the United States. The stronger version, Absorbine, is for horses. [cite web|url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1160/how-come-we-never-hear-about-absorbine-sr|title=The Straight Dope|last=Adams|first=Cecil]
Traditional Chinese medicine features a wide variety of different liniments, with applications ranging from topical anaesthetics used in bone setting to simple sore muscles and bruises, such as Dit Da Jow or Ligusticumfact|date=August 2008

Uses on horses

Liniments are a common substance used by trainers and owners of horses. They may be applied diluted or full-strength, usually added into a bucket of water when sponged on the body. Liniments are especially useful in hot weather to help a hot horse cool down: the alcohols help the product to quickly evaporate, and the oils they contain cause the capillaries in the skin to dilate, also increasing the cooling process.

Liniments should always be applied according to the manufacturer's directions, and diluted as necessary. Many horse owners apply liniments to the legs as a brace, and then wrap over it. In this case, they should be sure that the liniment is not too strong, or it may cause blistering of the skin.

Liniments may be used on the legs and body, but should not be applied to more sensitive areas such as the head, dock, or groin of the horse. The body may also be too sensitive to apply liniments if the horse was recently body-clipped.

Topical medication forms

(Source: [Doctor, why are you prescribing an ointment?;American Academy of Dermatology;http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/doctor.html] )

* Cream - Emulsion of oil and water in approximately equal proportions. Penetrates stratum corneum outer layer of skin well.

* Ointment - Combines oil (80%) and water (20%). Effective barrier against moisture loss.

* Gel - Liquefies upon contact with the skin.

* Paste - Combines three agents - oil, water, and powder; an ointment in which a powder is suspended.

* Powder

References


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  • liniment — [ linimɑ̃ ] n. m. • XVe; bas lat. linimentum, de linire « oindre » ♦ Pharm. Liquide onctueux à base d huile ou de matière grasse plus épaisse, renfermant une substance médicamenteuse et destiné à enduire et frictionner la peau. ⇒ baume, onguent.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • liniment — LINIMÉNT, linimente, s.n. Preparat farmaceutic lichid sau semisolid, cu aspect limpede sau lăptos, folosit pentru fricţiuni sau aplicaţii locale. – Din fr. liniment. Trimis de LauraGellner, 24.05.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  LINIMÉNT s. v. alifie, cremă …   Dicționar Român

  • Liniment — Lin i*ment (l[i^]n [i^]*ment), n. [L. linimentum, fr. linire, linere, to besmear, anoint : cf. F. liniment. Cf. {Letter}, {Lime} a viscous substance.] A liquid or semiliquid preparation of a consistence thinner than an ointment, applied to the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • liniment — linìment (linimȅnt) m <G mn nātā> DEFINICIJA farm. tekući lijek koji se utrlja u kožu; mazilo ETIMOLOGIJA lat. linimentum ≃ linire: namazati …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • liniment — LINIMENT. s. m. Sorte de medicament, fait d huiles & d autres drogues, propres à adoucir, amolir, & resoudre en frottant. Il faut essayer de ramolir & de resoudre cela par des liniments, par quelque liniment …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Liniment — (v. lat.), zum Einreiben in die Haut bestimmte Arzneiform, deren Consistenz die Mitte zwischen einem fetten Öl u. einer Salbe hält, z.B. das Flüchtige L. (L. volatile), s.d …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Linimént — (lat.), zum äußerlichen Gebrauche (als Einreibungen) bestimmte, hinsichtlich der Konsistenz zwischen Salben und den dickflüssigen fetten Ölen stehende, in der Regel fette Öle oder eine Seife enthaltende Mischungen. Offizinell sind: Flüchtiges L.… …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • liniment — (n.) early 15c., from L.L. linimentum a soft ointment, from L. linire, collateral form of earlier linere to daub, smear, from PIE root * (s)lei slime, slimy, sticky (see SLIME (Cf. slime) (n.)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • liniment — [n] ointment balm, cream, dressing, embrocation, emollient, lenitive, lotion, medicine, salve, unguent; concepts 311,466 …   New thesaurus

  • liniment — Liniment, Litura, m. acut. a Liniendo …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

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