The Uses of Skinner's Salve

Skinner's salve purports to have a vast amount of uses including for burns, arthritis, sinus congestion, blisters, lung congestion, insect bites and insect sting relief as well as scar reduction and bruise healing. The ingredients in this salve (eucalyptus oil, fir needle oil, camphor oil, methyl salicyclate, methol and petroleum) are, in alternative medicine, each claimed to have a multitude of uses.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is the oil distilled from various species of eucalyptus trees, notably the species Eucalyptus globulus which provides cineole. Eucalyptus oil is used medicinally as an antiseptic, bronchial, aching muscles and anti-plaque.

Fir Needle Oil

Fir needle oil is classified as an essential. It is obtained from the needles, cones and young small branches silver fir (Abies alba) through steam distillation. It is used for respiratory symptoms (sinus, flu, bronchitis, colds) and when for muscles that ache.

Camphor Oil

Camphor oil is oil distilled from the strongly scented bark and wood of the camphor tree, an East Asian evergreen with the scientific name Cinnamomum camphora.

Camphor (a hydrocarbon with a chemical formula of C10H16) is used in the making of celluloid, explosives and plastic, and is used medically as an (antisceptic in medicinal creams.)

Methyl Salicylate

Methyl salicylate is a pleasantly scented and clear liquid with a chemical formula of C8H8O3. It can be found naturally in certain plants. Uses of methyl salicylate include as a flavorant, as an analgesic (pain relief without knocking someone out) and as an ingredient in perfume.

Menthol Crystals

Menthol crystals (Mentha arvensis) is a chemical compound found in peppermint oil with a mint flavor. Its chemical formula is CH3C6H9(C3H7)OH. The uses of menthol include as a mild analgesic and, like methyl salicylate, perfume and as a flavoring.

Petrolatum Base

Petrolatum (also known, among other names, as petroleum jelly) is an almost colorless semisolid made by fractionally distilling petroleum. Medically it is used as a base for ointment, as a protective dressing, laxative and as an emollient (skin soother).