Editing Liniment (section)

{{Short description|Ointment-like medicated topical preparation for application to skin}}
{{medref|date=April 2015}}
[[File:Herb Knudson's Surgical 11.jpg|thumb|Sloan's Liniment (right) was once a popular over-the-counter drug.]]

'''Liniment''' (from {{langx|la|linere}}, meaning "to smear, [[Anointing|anoint]]"), also called '''embrocation''' and '''heat rub''', is a medicated topical preparation for application to the skin. Some liniments have a viscosity similar to that of water; others are [[lotion]] or balm; still, others are in [[transdermal patches]], soft solid sticks, and sprays. Liniment usually is rubbed into the skin, which the active ingredients penetrate.

Liniments are typically sold to relieve pain and stiffness, such as from [[muscle|muscular]] [[Pain and nociception|ache]]s and [[Strain (injury)|strain]]s, and [[arthritis]]. These are typically formulated from [[ethanol|alcohol]], [[acetone]], or similar quickly evaporating [[solvent]]s and contain [[counterirritant]] aromatic chemical compounds, such as [[methyl salicylate]], [[benzoin resin]], [[menthol]], and [[capsaicin]]. They produce a feeling of warmth within the [[muscle]] of the area they are applied to, typically acting as [[rubefacients]] via a counterirritant effect.

[[Methyl salicylate]], which is the [[analgesic]] ingredient in some heat rubs, can be toxic if used in excess.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2007 |title=Muscle cream caused NYC teen's death |publisher=The Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-06-09-4199171116_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213235713/https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-06-09-4199171116_x.htm |archive-date=2009-02-13 |access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> [[Heating pad]]s are also not recommended for use with heat rubs, because the added warmth may cause overabsorption of the active ingredients.