Sweat365 » Cold Weather Embrocation: What’s this Goop for?

Post by:Brad Hefta-Gaub

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 pm  |  7 Comments

I will admit, I had never heard of it. I was flipping through my Bicycling magazine, and mixed in with all the photos of ultra fit and ultra elite athletes, I see this crazy picture of a rust colored slimy looking jar of goop. What the heck is this stuff?

Well, apparently embrocation, is another name for Liniment, a medicated topical preparation intended for application on the skin. According to Wikipedia, 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 counter irritant aromatic chemical compounds such as methyl salicilate, benzoin resin or capsaicin. Sounds interesting, right? Except for all those chemicals, maybe there’s a natural alternative.

Well, apparently that’s exactly what Pete Smith, the brains behind Mad Alchemy was thinking as he read the ingredients of his favorite embrocation before his morning commute. That set him on a mission to build a better embrocation. So he tinkered and experimented with all natural and “vegan friendly” ingredients and eventually created the perfect all natural all pure embrocation. Hand made in small batches, is available for warm weather, cold weather, and REALLY cold weather for less than $20 per 4oz jar.

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7 Comments: :

Cold Weather Embrocation: What’s this Goop for?

January 23rd, 2009 4:14 am

Karl On Sea says:

Careful with that embrocation - it can lead to all sorts of unusual behaviour. Like in this clip from Withnail and I containing adult language, in which in an effort to keep warm, Withnail has slathered himself in ‘Deep Heat’.

Don’t try this at home kids!

January 24th, 2009 11:40 am

greenking17 says:

Okay, first off…Karl — that clip was hilarious!
Secondly, is this something that could work as a riding lubricant (chamios cream) and take care of saddle soreness at the same time?

Well, just saying…

January 27th, 2009 12:55 am

Brad Hefta-Gaub says:

I’m not sure if you’re joking or not Sean, but I think this stuff would be rather unpleasant if you got it on your more sensitive tissue… imagine the old Bengay in the jock strap gag!?!

January 27th, 2009 2:03 pm

greenking17 says:

Well, i was semi-joking…but wasn’t sure of how ‘potent’ this stuff actually was! Now I know and probably won’t try it anytime soon (or at all)!

January 27th, 2009 4:09 pm

auggiesdad says:

GK - You could always try it on one of your training buddies ;-) LOL!

January 30th, 2009 5:37 pm

miaharney says:

Very funny!

February 6th, 2009 9:47 pm

marathonerwannabe says:

LMAO! I actually would like to try this stuff. I looked at the website and it shows 3 different heat strengths. I have tried all of the topical oinments and patches and I must have alligator skin or something because none of them seem to work. I would probably try the medium, first.