Counterirritants

Counterirritant: causes local irritation or hyperemia in one area to decrease inflammation in a distant area or deeper tissue

Counterirritant/Rubefacient are irritating herbs to the skin and mucous membranes.  They are topically applied to the skin where desired effects are to induce vasodilation, stimulating the immediate skin surface and drawing up blood from deeper tissues to decongest the area.

Examples:

• Allium sativa (fresh garlic, topically)

• Armoracia rusticana (horseradish, topically)

• Arnica montana (arnica, topically)

• Brassica spp. (mustard, topically)

• Capsicum frutescens (cayenne, topically)

• Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus oil, topically)

• Juniperus communis (juniper oil, topically)

• Mentha piperita (peppermint oil, topically)

• Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary oil, topically)

• Thymus vulgaris (thyme oil, topically)

• Urtica dioica (fresh stinging nettle leaf, topically)

• Zingiber officinale (ginger, topically)