Muscle complex

The evergreen camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is a species of plant in the laurel family (Lauraceae) and is closely related to the cinnamon tree. It is native to the subtropical coastal areas of East Asia, but is now also cultivated in India, Sri Lanka and the Mediterranean region, among others. It can grow up to 30 meters tall and produces white to yellowish-green flowers in May. The colorless camphor oil is obtained by distillation from the wood and bark of camphor trees that are at least 40-50 years old, as these are considered to be particularly productive. The valuable oil has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

Effect

In addition to camphor, natural camphor oil also contains numerous other essential oils such as terpinolene, eugenol, geraniol and cineole. The oil is said to have a calming effect, which is said to help reduce stress. When used internally, it helps with coughs and respiratory problems as it has expectorant and antibacterial properties. However, it is mainly used externally in the form of ointments because, among other things, it has anti-inflammatory, blood circulation and pain-relieving effects and can help with swelling, bruises, muscle pain, sprains and strains. The highly effective camphor oil is an indispensable ingredient in our sports gel.

Studies

Carvalho, MFN, Leite, S., Costa, JP, Galvão, AM & Leitão, JH (2019). Ag(I) camphor complexes: antimicrobial activity by design. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 199, 110791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110791

Hamidpour, R., Hamidpour, S., Hamidpour, M. & Shahlari, M. (2013). Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), a traditional remedy with the history of treating several diseases. International Journal of Case Reports and Images, 4(2), 86. https://doi.org/10.5348/ijcri-2013-02-267-ra-1

Silva-Filho, S., de Souza Silva-Comar, F., Wiirzler, L., do Pinho, R., Grespan, R., Bersani-Amado, C. & Cuman, R. (2015). Effect of Camphor on the Behavior of Leukocytes In vitro and In vivo in Acute Inflammatory Response. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 13(12), 2031. https://doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v13i12.13

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), native to North America, is a genus of plants in the heather family (Ericaceae). The herbaceous plant grows in bushes with broad leaves arranged in rosettes and white/pink flowers from which red berries develop. The essential wintergreen oil is finally extracted from the leaves of the plant through steam distillation. Today it is mainly added to cosmetic and sports medicine products.

Effect

Wintergreen oil consists largely of aromatic esters (methyl salicylate) but also of monoterpenes, monoterpenols, sesquiterpenes and sespuiterpenols. All of these valuable ingredients give wintergreen oil its strong pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral effects. These properties make wintergreen oil an excellent remedy for tension, sore muscles and common joint problems (such as after sports) and therefore an indispensable power ingredient in our sports gel.

Studies

Michel, P., Dobrowolska, A., Kicel, A., Owczarek, A., Bazylko, A., Granica, S., Piwowarski, J. & Olszewska, M. (2014). Polyphenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) Leaf Extracts. Molecules, 19(12), 20498–20520.

Nikolić, M., Marković, T., Mojović, M., Pejin, B., Savić, A., Perić, T., Marković, D., Stević, T. & Soković, M. (2013). Chemical composition and biological activity of Gaultheria procumbens L. essential oil. Industrial Crops and Products, 49, 561–567.

Olszewska, MA, Owczarek, A.,Magiera, A., Granica, S. & Michel, P. (2021). Screening for the Active Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Polyphenols of Gaultheria procumbens and Their Application for Standardization: From Identification through Cellular Studies to Quantitative Determination. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(21), 11532.

The real arnica (Arnica montana) belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae) and grows primarily in the mountains of Europe. It thrives particularly well in mountain and heathland meadows, but also in moorland areas and forest clearings. The valuable extract is obtained from the golden yellow flowers that bloom in the summer months. The plant's versatile effects also helped it win the title “Medicinal Plant of the Year” in 2001. Arnica is one of the best-known medicinal plants in Germany and is often used to heal wounds.

Effect

The most important ingredients in arnica flowers include essential oils, flavonoids, carotenoids as well as bitter substances, sesquiterpene lactones and helenalin and dihydrohelenalin esters. Arnica flower extract is primarily known for its wound-healing, disinfecting and anti-inflammatory effects, but also has antibacterial, irritation-relieving and blood circulation-promoting properties. Due to its relaxing effect on tissue, it can also be used excellently for injuries such as fiber tears, bruises, bruises or muscle strains, as well as for the prevention and treatment of sore muscles. The sunny yellow woundwort is undoubtedly a perfect match for our sports gel, in which it can develop its full effect in combination with other botanical matches.

Studies

Charlton, F. (2015). Let's Set the Record Straight! Traumatic Tissue Injury Treated with Homeopathic Arnica MontanaA Injury Therapists Perspective. International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 1(5).

Jurcău, R., Jurcău, I., Kwak, DH & Colceriu, N. (2016). Antioxidant and anti-discomfort when walking effects of Arnica Montana, in ankle sprains. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 8, 3.

Pumpa, KL, Fallon, KE, Bensoussan, A. & Papalia, S. (2013). The effects of topical Arnica on performance, pain and muscle damage after intense eccentric exercise. European Journal of Sport Science, 14(3), 294-300.

Turmeric belongs to the ginger family. As with ginger, the rootstock of the plant is primarily used. The actual plants sprout from it. The herbaceous plant, which can grow up to one meter high, has many branches with yellow to orange, cylindrical, aromatic rhizomes (sprouts). Before the spice was used for food, it was known as a natural dye for skin and clothing and as a medicine.

Effect

With a proportion of 3%, curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. In Ayurveda (Indian healing art) and Chinese medicine, turmeric and its healing effects have been used to care for the skin and heal wounds for thousands of years. Our sports gel also benefits from the tuber's blood circulation-promoting, antibacterial and decongestant effects.

Studies

Arulmozhi, DK, Sridhar, N., Veeranjaneyulu, A. & Arora, SK (2006). Preliminary Mechanistic Studies on the Smooth Muscle Relaxant Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Curcuma caesia. Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 6(3-4), 117-124.

Davis, JM, Murphy, EA, Carmichael, MD, Zielinski, MR, Groschwitz, CM, Brown, AS, Gangemi, JD, Ghaffar, A. & Mayer, EP (2007). Curcumin effects on inflammation and performance recovery following eccentric exercise-induced muscle injury. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 292(6), R2168–R2173.

Suhett, LG, de Miranda Monteiro Santos, R, Silveira, BKS, Leal, ACG, de Brito, ADM, de Novaes, JF & Lucia, CMD (2020). Effects of curcumin supplementation on sport and physical exercise: a systematic review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 61(6), 946-958.

The blue eucalyptus belongs to the myrtle family and is an evergreen tree that usually reaches heights of up to 35 meters. The straight trunk has ash-gray to red-brown bark that comes off the tree in large strips. The young leaves are oval-heart-shaped and are 6 to 15 centimeters long. The older leaves, from which the essential oil is extracted, are more sickle-shaped, thick-leathered and grow up to 35 centimeters tall.

Effect

Known as a flatterer for the respiratory tract, eucalyptus oil also has a cooling and circulation-stimulating effect as well as being a strong antiseptic and disinfectant. Used in our sports gel, the eucalyptus oil refreshes and cools stressed areas of the body ideally after sport and physical exertion.

Studies

Cermelli, C., Fabio, A., Fabio, G. & Quaglio, P. (2007). Effect of Eucalyptus Essential Oil on Respiratory Bacteria and Viruses. Current Microbiology, 56(1), 89-92.

Silva, J., Abebe, W., Sousa, S., Duarte, V., Machado, M. & Matos, F. (2003). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 89(2–3), 277–283.

Sage (Salvia off.) has been a sought-after medicinal herb for thousands of years. The name of the shrub comes from the Latin "salvare", which means "to heal". Sage was probably used in ancient Egypt to treat stomach ailments, toothaches and asthma. In the Middle Ages, monks brought the plant over the Alps and grew it in their herb gardens - a monk from the Reichenau monastery in Lake Constance quotes the following: “Sage shines first, has a lovely smell, significant power and is useful as a drink; It is found to be helpful in most human illnesses and deserves to always enjoy a green youth.”

Effect

“Sage in the garden – and death can wait” is a popular saying. This saying can be attributed to the diverse areas of application of this universal medicinal herb. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, sage should not be missing, especially in our sports gel. A mix of carnosic acid, camphor and thujone is mainly responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, there is a very high content of lamiaceen tannins, which narrow the pores and are good for the skin.

Studies

Baricevic, D., Sosa, S., della Loggia, R., Tubaro, A., Simonovska, B., Krasna, A. & Zupancic, A. (2001). Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Salvia officinalis L. leaves: the relevance of ursolic acid. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 75(2-3), 125-132.

Boufadi, MY, Keddari, S., Moulaihacene, F. & Chaa, S. (2020). Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Salvia Officinalis Extract from Algeria. Pharmacognosy Journal, 13(2), 506-515.

Jung, HJ, Song, YS, Lim, CJ & Park, EH (2009). Anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-nociceptive activities of an ethanol extract of Salvia plebeia R. Brown. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 126(2), 355-360.

The golden yellow, clear jojoba oil is obtained from the seeds of the evergreen jojoba bush (Simmondsia chinensis), which belongs to the Simmondsiaceae family. The jojoba bush is native to desert regions of North America and is now also grown in Argentina, Israel, India, Kenya, Peru and Australia, among others. Inside its two to four centimeter large fruits there are small, nut-brown seeds from which oil is extracted through gentle cold pressing.

Effect

Jojoba oil is a liquid wax with a mild smell that contains various fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols as well as amino acids, vitamin A, minerals and squalene. The structure of the gadolic acid contained in the oil corresponds to the fat mixture on the skin surface and can therefore be easily absorbed by the skin and protect it from water loss. The moisturizing and antibacterial properties of jojoba oil help our sports gel to reduce skin irritation and inflammation.

Studies

Gad, HA, Roberts, A., Hamzi, SH, Gad, HA, Touiss, I., Altyar, AE, Kensara, OA & Ashour, ML (2021). Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity. Polymers, 13(11), 1711.

Habashy, R., Abdelnaim, A., Khalifa, A. & Alazizi, M. (2005). Anti-inflammatory effects of jojoba liquid wax in experimental models. Pharmacological Research, 51(2), 95-105.

Nasr, M., Abdel-Hamid, S., Moftah, N.H., Fadel, M. & Alyoussef, AA (2017). Jojoba Oil Soft Colloidal Nanocarrier of a Synthetic Retinoid: Preparation, Characterization and Clinical Efficacy in Psoriatic Patients. Current Drug Delivery, 14(3), 426-432.

Menthol is found in all plants of the mint family, especially in the mint plant species. Menthol became known through Japanese mint oil, which was obtained from Japanese field mint in the 17th century.

Effect

Menthol is used as an analgesic, i.e. an analgesic or pain reliever. It has a tension-relieving and invigorating effect. Because of its cooling, skin-soothing and local anesthetic effect, it is a must-have in our sports gel.

Studies

Liu, B., Fan, L., Balakrishna, S., Sui, A., Morris, JB & Jordt, SE (2013). TRPM8 is the principal mediator of menthol-induced analgesia of acute and inflammatory pain. Pain, 154(10), 2169–2177.

Pergolizzi, JV, Taylor, R., LeQuang, JA & Raffa, RB (2018). The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 43(3), 313-319.

Stevens, C. J. & Best, R. (2016). Menthol: A Fresh Ergogenic Aid for Athletic Performance. Sports Medicine, 47(6), 1035-1042.