Formulation and Characterization of Herbal Balm

The pain balm functions on the counter irritancy principle, which suppresses the pain sensation rather than reducing it by producing the irritation to the extent of the application of the formulation. According to common sense, a balm is a semi-solid composition that is intended for external application and typically contains medication. An example of a composition designed to alleviate mild to moderate pain is pain balm ¹.

Balms are made topically and applied to the skin to ease soreness and stiffness. Analgesic herbal balm, an Ayurvedic concoction of strong essential oils, offers instant relief from headaches, backaches, and colds. Human skin can be treated using herbal balms that contain organic essential oils, organic beeswax, and other appropriate herbal substances. One Pain is a crucial connection between primary disorders and downstream effects ².

The International Association for the Study of Pain states that modulation, affective responses, nociception, afferents to the central nervous system, endogenous analgesia, behavioral alterations, and changes in social roles are all components of pain, which is a complicated phenomenon ³. According to their chemical classification of active compounds, studies on plant contents were analyzed, indicating that medicinal plants may restore biological balance and prevent the accumulation of therapeutic ingredients ^4,5.

Pain arises when tissue is injured. Pain is a vital natural defense mechanism that can significantly affect an individual's quality of life ⁶. A comprehensive understanding of how pain impacts the body is essential for developing creative pain management strategies ⁷.  Nociceptor neurons play a key role in inflammation and pain. The individual attempts to get rid of the unpleasant stimulus ⁶. Disease, inflammation, and damage to the central and peripheral nerve systems result in significant changes in pain pathways, an increase in excitability, and changes to gene expressions, enzymes, and receptors ⁷.

Because of their diverse chemical makeup, plants are one of the main sources for the extraction and purification of secondary metabolites. But for a very long time, people have been worried about pain and have turned to natural remedies, mostly plants, for relief. Therefore, medications that reduce pain can be classified as analgesics (painkillers) ⁸. Foods often contain components of essential oils that give them a unique flavor and aroma. Essential oils are a class of natural substances with possible biological qualities that have been used historically in aromatherapy for a variety of purposes ⁹. These include opioid analgesics, aloe vera, glycyrrhiza glabra, zingiber officinale, eugenia caryophyllata, cinnamonomum camphora, matricaria pubescens, and many more natural and synthetic analgesics ¹⁰.

Natural ingredients used in preparation of herbal balm includes camphor, mint flower, carom, tulsi, eucaluptus. A synergistic therapeutic impact for common ailments like headaches, colds, coughs, and muscle discomfort is the goal of combining these natural substances into a single balm composition. Additionally, the creation and assessment of these herbal balms aids in the creation of eco-friendly, natural healthcare substitutes that are in line with both contemporary pharmaceutical standards and traditional medical principles.

MATERIALS

Camphor, beeswax, eucalyptus oil and coconut oil were purchased from the local market, and a variety of plant materials, including mint flower, carrom, tulsi  were gathered from the herbal garden to make the herbal balm [Table 1]. Plant profile of above herbs are given below

Camphor:

Biological source: Camphor is a waxy, white crystalline solid substance, obtained from the tree Cinnamomum camphora  belonging to Lauraceae family, with a strong scent. Its terpenoid is originally obtained by distillation of bark from camphor tree.

Chemical constituents: Camphor is the primary component of leaves and wood, accounting for 51.3% and 40.5% of each, respectively. Other constituents include cineol, linalool, eugenol, limonene, safrole, a-pinene, and camphene.

Mint flower :

Biological source : Fresh flowering tops of Mentha arvensis (corn mint or Japanese mint) and Mentha piperita (peppermint) are the main biological sources of Mentha. Commercial usage is also made of other species, such as spearmint (Mentha spicata). The Lamiaceae family includes these perennial herbaceous plants, which are distilled to provide essential oils for a variety of uses.

Chemical constituents : Numerous volatile and non-volatile substances, including as menthol, menthone, methyl acetate, limonene, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), carvone, flavonoids (such as luteolin and hesperidin), tannins, and rosmarinic acid, are found in mint flowers.

Carrom:

Biological source : The dried, ripe seeds of the Apiaceae plant Trachyspermum ammi are the biological source of carrom. Other synonyms for it include Carum copticum and Trachyspermum copticum.

Chemical constituents : Thymol, which serves as the main active ingredient in charge of many of its therapeutic effects, is present in high concentrations (35–60%) in its essential oil. Along with α- and β-pinene, other important chemicals in the oil include p-cymene and γ-terpinene..

Tulsi

Biological source The biological source for tulsi is the fresh and dried leaves of Ocimum sanctum L., also known as Ocimum tenuiflorum, which belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Other Ocimum species, like Ocimum basilicum, are also considered sources.

Chemical constituents:  Tulsi's main chemical constituents include eugenol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, carvacrol, and rosmarinic acid. Other important compounds are linalool, β-caryophyllene, estragole, and various flavonoids, terpenoids, and fatty acids. These compounds are responsible for its medicinal properties, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.

Eucalyptus

Biological source : Eucalyptus oil is the essential oil obtained by the distillation of fresh leaves of Eucalyptus globulus and other species like E. polybractea, E. viminalis, and E. smithii, belonging to family Myrtaceae.

Chemical constituents : It includes eucalyptol ( α-cineole), which is the most abundant component, along with α-pinene, limonene, citronellal, and other terpenes. Other compounds present include phenolic compounds like flavonoids, acids, and certain glycosides.

Formulation

Collection of herbs

A botanist verified the authenticity of fresh mint flowers (Mentha spp.), carom seeds (Trachyspermum ammi), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum ) and eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus globulus) that were purchased at a nearby herbal market. Every item was cleaned and allowed to dry in the shade.

Extraction

Mint flower : Extracted by hydrodistilled for three hours with a Clevenger device.

Carom : Crushed seeds were extracted using steam distillation and kept in amber glass vials.

Tulsi : Essential oils can be extracted via steam distillation or hydro-distillation, or  by solvent extraction.

Preparation of base

Beeswax were heated in a double boiler at 60 to 70^? C until completely liquefied.

After adding coconut oil, it was thoroughly blended.

Incorporation of active ingredients

After partial cooling, add the essential oils and camphor in the following amounts, stirring slowly to ensure even distribution:  mint flower – 2%, carom – 1.5 %, camphor – 2 %, tulsi- 1%

Cooling and packing:

The sterilized jar was filled with the heated liquid, which was then allowed to cool at room temperature until the formulation hardened. 

Evaluation:

1.Physical parameter: The herbal balm's physical characteristics were assessed to guarantee the formulation's stability, quality, and consistency. Among these parameters were:

i) Color: The balm was examined visually to ensure that there was no discoloration or patchiness and that the color was consistent throughout the sample.

ii) Odor: The balm's aroma was examined to make sure it was agreeable and in line with the herbal components, free of any odd or rotten smells. 

2. pH : Using a digital PH meter, the produced formulation's PH was measured by making a 10% solution and fully submerging the glass electrode in the solution system to cover it. Three readings were taken during the measuring process, and the average of the three was noted.

3. Stability testing: The herbal balm's physical stability was evaluated at normal, below-normal, and above-normal temperatures. Throughout the observation period, the balm maintained its original color, consistency, and aroma at room temperature (25°C), showing no indications of phase separation.

4. Non—irritancy test : Human volunteers had a small patch of their forearm skin treated with the balm, and for a whole day, any redness, itching, or irritation was noted.

5. Spreadability : Spreadability was determined by the slip and drag method using two glass slides. A fixed amount of balm was placed between the slides, and the upper slide was pulled with a known weight.

S = M × L / T

where S = Spreadability, M = Weight tied to upper slide, L = Length moved, T = Time (sec).

6. Washability : After applying a tiny bit of balm to the skin, it was rinsed with water. The amount of water  needed, the ease of removal, and the existence of any greasy or sticky residue were all observed. The balm was deemed to have acceptable washability if it removed easily without leaving a greasy residue or requiring a lot of scrubbing.

7. Cooling and Relief Effect : The inclusion of menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oils caused volunteers to report a cooling sensation and pain alleviation within a few minutes of administration.