Kuumba Made St. John's Wort Arnica Rub: Old Fashioned Comfort and Healing in a Jar

There are some products so basic and effective and somehow just seem so right, that you know-sometimes upon just opening the lid for the first time-that this fabulous product will be with you for the long run. I have several products like that: Bee and Flower Sandalwood soap, Terra Nova's China Rain perfume oil, and Skin Trip lotion, to name just a few. Some things are so basic and high in quality, unchanging and consistent in their performance that they stand the test of time. Recently, I have discovered Kuumba Made St. John's Wort Arnica Rub.

Just opening the container, it is apparent this rich rub is extraordinary and jammed packed and imbued with potent goodness. The golden, honey-colored cream positively glows with an aura of healing. It's pleasingly anachronistic. Although you can easily purchase it online, or natural health sections of mainstream grocery stores and similar venues, it seems to be more affiliated with something from another century, another, more nature-centered health system.

It's something you would receive from an apothecary, blended to order, in a little shop overcrowded with dried herbs and glass jars. Or, it's the gem received after a long pilgrimage through the forest, to the cottage of the crone, the green witch. Kuumba Made St. John's Wort Arnica Rub is like that.

The texture is consistent and smooth, but infinitely fine and soft grains reveal the presence of herbs, which immediately absorb upon application. Two special herbs are, in fact, the main components of this rub: St. John's Wort and arnica. St. John's wort has been used internally and topically since ancient times; it was said to purge evil. That it is clinically proven as an effective aid in depression, and powerful antiseptic, is a testament to the wisdom and value of herblore.

Used topically, St. John's wort reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing. This rub is absolutely infused with St. John's wort. Using it is a fantastic way to partake of the proven topical benefits of this classic herb.

Arnica likewise has an ancient history as an effective topical application and remedy. It is a powerful and effective anti-inflammatory, and potent comfort aid that promotes healing of bruises, pain, and mild wounds. The fusing of St. John's wort and arnica is one cream is brilliant. Equally smart are the inclusion of the next several ingredients, all essential oils: bay, ginger, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and lavender. These are all commonly used, proven, and highly effective and appropriate oils for an all-purpose rub.

Quite pleasingly, the base is quite pure and benign, consisting of nothing more than beeswax blended into 100% pure Olive Oil. This Kuumba Made rub is nicely suitable for those concerned with environmental issues, and contains no petroleum products.

So what exactly is it used for? According to its literature, this rub can be applied to aid in healing of sore muscles, spraigns, strains, bruises, swellings, nerve pain and damage, and arthritis. It can also be used to aid in general comfort and relaxation. I have found that applying it on my neck and shoulders is effective in encouraging sleep. The smell itself is almost intoxicating.

Unlike other, camphor or mint based muscle rubs, Kuumba Made's does not carry a medicinal smell, nor induce a sense of coldness. Thanks to the ginger and cinnamon, there is a lovely but ever so slight warm flush that comes with it.

This rub is an essential, safe, effective, and gentle product that is indicated for any home health kit, allopathic or natural. It is safe for everyone, including children. In most retail stores, St. John's Wort Arnica Rub comes in a 1 oz., recyclable, reusable, unbreakable plastic container. It's large enough to last several moths, even with daily use. The rub is quite concentrated, and extremely emollient, so a small amount easily covers a fair amount of surface area. It's also small enough that it fits conveniently into a purse, travel bag, or smaller first aid kit. It's very affordable--only $7.35 for the 1 oz. container. Larger sizes can be ordered via Kuumba Made's website.

I have tried hordes of commercial, natural arnica, herbal, and essential oil based rubs, and out of the non-camphor variety, Kuumba Made St. John's Wort Arnica Rub stands head and shoulders above the rest, and is highly recommended.