Does anyone use Sloan’s Balm?
When I was small, I had a sprain that wouldn’t heal. My relative told me that there was a balm that was extremely painful and extremely effective and he’d recommend it to me if I was up to it. It was a brutal “one-day” solution. I didn’t know what he meant but I said yes all the same. He handed me a yellowish-orange extremely smelly balm and told me to use it sparingly or else face the consequences. I put in on and rubbed it and wondered what the fuss was all about. Then I felt a mild burning sensation. It steadily got hotter and hotter and my relative was looking at me amusingly from the corner of the eye.
Then suddenly my hand caught fire! (Or at least it felt that way) I could hardly bear the pain and I didn’t know how to describe it. It was as if a dozen hot needles had been poked in my hand or simply someone had poured kerosene on it and set it on fire. The hand got hotter and hotter and I simply felt I would faint! My relative calmly told me to hold on. It would eventually go away. Eventually meant a few hours and in that time, nothing else mattered. No house. No relative. No work. No thoughts. It was me and my burning hand. By evening, the burning started receding, just like a fire that had been put out with embers steadily cooling. I felt a tingling even as I slept.
When I got up in the morning, I was totally OK. And despite the pain, I was converted for life. As my relative said, “Use other balms 10 times, use this one only once.” But I can see why it’s unpopular. It smells. It leaves stains on your clothes. And of course, it burns like hell. My wife can’t stand the sight of the bottle and says that I’ve used it so many times, that my body is probably immune. When I have multiple body aches, she calls it a Sloan’s Bath. Though my wife did inform me that her grandmother uses something more potent and rare called Sloan’s Liniment. I was mighty impressed.
I have recommended it to people with adverse reactions. Once when my late sister was limping for days, I gave her a bottle. The next day morning I got a firing.
My leg burnt. I couldn’t sleep all night. I got out of bed at 2am. I put my leg in running cold water. I kept it in a bucket for one hour…
When she finished pacing up and down with her tirade, I pointed to her leg. She was no longer limping. She was cured. “But the pain wasn’t worth it,” she said and stormed off.
Once I gave it to my flat-mate and watched in horror as he took a huge amount and started massaging his leg with it. I warned him of the consequences but he wouldn’t listen. He said something to the effect of “Mard ka bachcha” (Loosely translated to mean “son of a macho man”). My friends and I watched as he sat sure that nothing would happen. Then the tingling started and the pain multiplied. My friend got up started pacing around. He was putting a brave face and having difficulty in controlling his pain. Then he let out a scream and started heaping choicest abuses on Mr Sloan and his extended family.
As all of us watched the comic scene, he suddenly picked up the bottle and threw it out of the window with all his might. I ran to the window fearfully, for it faced the main road. If it hit a passing motorist then broken glass and Sloan’s would combine to unleash such pain, that the motorist would surely file a case of attempted murder. Luckily, it had fallen safely into the ground. I could only hope no man or animal would poke its nose into it. I realized that I couldn’t recommend it again to anyone.
It is also a tough task shopping for it. If I go to 10 medical shops, then 5 shopkeepers are sure to look at me as if I’m speaking some foreign language. When I finally do get a bottle, the shopkeeper opens his notebook and scribbles. (Customer came and bought the entire stock (1 bottle) of Sloan’s Balm) I’m serious, when I ask for a second bottle, I don’t get it.
I read somewhere that Sloan’s has capsaicin, which is an essential component of chili pepper. That explains it. If you eat chili pepper, you’ll feel as if your throat is on fire. If you use a balm which has a chili pepper component, you’ll feel as if your body part is on fire…
Hello, is there anybody out there… anybody using Sloan’s Balm?
More importantly, does anybody want to use Sloan’s?
© Sunil Rajguru
I want to use it. Yes, I am serious. And now, I have got to find out more about this balm.
Anu: Best of luck!
And if you like it, then welcome to the club in advance!
I’d like to try it out Sunil. Where did you get it? I have atleast five varieties of pain balms with me – icy rub, bengay, moov, iodex and tiger balm.
Thengue thengue. Will let you know if I like it.
Avinash: There are some medical shops with a reputation of keeping a wide variety of medicines. Usually they have it. I have bought the balm in Bangalore, Delhi, Jodhpur… so I’m sure it’s available all over India. Like there’s one place near my home which always has it.
Anu: Definitely worth a try at least once!
I have been using it since a long time. First time I used it in liniment form in 1965, when I was 22 yr. old. Later on shopkeeper showed me the balm too and I liked it as it is convenient to carry and use. My advice ” use it with care and in small quantities, do not rub violently.”
Mr BNMisra,
Wow! You used Sloan’s 45 years back! Nice.
sir where can i get sloan’s liniment in chennai? If you know please send list of places. I will be much thankful if you send details as early as possible thank you.
Ragavan: I don’t think Sloan’s Liniment is available any more. The balm is kept by most large medical shops.
Cheers!
I used Sloan’s balm as well as Sloan’s leniment when I was young and vouch for it that they are ultimate for what they are meant for.
Doeas any one knows of their availibility in I India?
Please do let me know. Would be ever grateful.
Thank you
Raj
Wooohooooo go sloan’s balm ! We’re a family of headaches and use sloan’s balms lots. its awesome.
Raj: Most of the large Indian medical stores stock it.
Aditi: Good to hear that! Lagate raho, aur Sloan’s balm zindabad!
Sloan’s is a great and time tested solution to low back pain, stiff neckand muscle sprains etc. Both balm and liniment are available in India. In case you are facing difficulties in finding it near your home, you can call their customer care number 022-25784538 and request them to help out.
I have used SLOAN’s balm. It was extremely effective. I am searching it. Can any one help me to know where I will be able to get it in Bangalore? Kindly give me a call or SMS me.
Very URGENT please. My mother has knee injury.She is badly in need of it. Kindly do the needful.
-Dayanand Naik,Bangalore, 9481183693
I too used it once, and who gave it to me; none other than my dad… Bole, “Kuchh der to chain se baithega, ek jagah tik-kar…” Zindagi-bhar woh waqt nahin bhool sakta… Uske baad kabhi istemaal nahin kiya…
Prashant: Thanks.
Dayanand: Hope you got it by now. Usually the big stores keep it.
Vivek: LOL!
Yes u r right!I have used it once and had this thrilling experience After that i gave it to mother i am still suffering repercussions of that event after that she thrown that bottle outside my house But i agrees fully that “Only MARD ka baccha can use this !!!”
Aniruddha: LOL!
I am Using sloan’s Balm from last 4 year whenever I feel pain in my muscles
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