Surely almost every person knows what the “Star” balm is. This budget product was very popular in Soviet times and was an integral attribute of every home first aid kit. The drug has not lost its popularity today. Therefore, many readers are interested in additional information. So what is included in this medicine? What properties does it have? How to properly use the balm to treat certain diseases? Are there contraindications and side effects? This information will be useful to every reader.
Composition and release form of the drug
Today, “Star” balm (other names: “Golden Star”, “Vietnamese Star”) is one of the most popular, easily accessible and safe medicines. This drug is intended for external use and is a thick, even solid, yellowish substance with a characteristic odor. Sold in small, round aluminum boxes that contain 5 g of medicine.
This drug was created using traditional oriental technologies and contains mainly natural ingredients. The composition of the “Star” balm is as follows:
- camphor oil;
- Eucalyptus oil;
- crystal menthol;
- peppermint essential oil;
- clove oil;
- cinnamon oil;
- Vaseline oil;
- petrolatum;
- beeswax;
- paraffin;
- anhydrous lanolin.
As you can see, the active components of the drug are substances of plant origin that are safe for human health.
Star balm – composition
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If you walk through the markets of Vietnam, you can see an incredible amount of star balm, in various packages. But on the territory of Russia the same balm “Golden Star”
(this is the name of the version of this product registered for import into our country) is sold in the form of an ointment, balm (oily liquid) and an inhalation stick.
If we talk about the ingredients that make up the star balm, the most important are aromatic oils. In fact, in many cases the healing effect
is provided for the aromatic effects of these oils, although in some cases the healing effect is achieved solely through direct contact with the skin. What oils are included in the star balm?
Eucalyptus oil
Peppermint oil is included in the solution of all three types of Vietnamese balsam. This ingredient also has an antiseptic stimulation, however, the mint oil in the Golden Star balm has more functions than the eucalyptus
. In particular, mint oil is a good antispasmodic that can worsen capillary blood flow, regulate intestinal motility, and stimulate appetite.
The above prospects for impact appear when using the balm as an aromatic agent.
. Again, peppermint oil has another effect - sedation. In particular, this is why the Golden Star balm is used as a kind of sleeping pill.
Clove technical oil
Clove oil is also a constant ingredient in the Golden Star balm in all its types and designs. Healing properties of cloves
were known again in ancient India and China. Initially, it was used as a spice, and also as an antiseptic - in particular, in dental treatment.
Menthol
Wotan is also an invariable component of Vietnamese balm - crystalline menthol. In medicine, this phenylone is used not only as an antiseptic, but also as a local anesthetic
. Menthol oleonide alone is recommended for the treatment of runny nose and colds.
Cinnamon grease
Cinnamon oil is a rather controversial product that should not be used except in moderation, as it causes skin irritation when applied topically. Yes, at minimum concentration
cinnamon oil in combination with some other components, the current ingredient turns out to be very useful for treating fungal diseases.
Apple tree oil is also a component of some cosmetic products (particularly perfumes). Due to its properties, cinnamon oil stimulates blood flow
, therefore it is productive to use it for colds, hypothermia, and the treatment of some viral and infectious diseases.
Terpene
Camphor, as a medicine, is a common component of various medicinal ointments, so you can easily find independent use for what you have. pharmachologic effect
This substance is to act on the nerve endings of our skin, which helps stimulate blood circulation and improve tissue tone.
The terpene is often used as a local anesthetic. This substance is also a good antiseptic. A comprehensive set of properties of camphor determine its frequent use in aromatherapy.
, this component can often be found in various essential oils.
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Petrolatum
The use of this thick, odorless substance as a component of Vietnamese balm is understandable - it is an excellent thickener and lubricant.
. Petrolatum also has a softening effect and even promotes skin healing, which is why it is often used for tattooing.
The largest share in the composition of the star balm is crystalline menthol (for example, in the Golden Star pencil - up to 50 percent), pinol, petroleum jelly and mint oil. The share of eucalyptus oil is also quite noticeable
. And you see, the proportion of clove and cinnamon oils is very insignificant (literally a couple of percent).
In principle, all the components that make up the composition of the “Golden Star of the First Magnitude” balm. Individual samples may include additional ingredients
(for example, petroleum product, beeswax, lanonin). Each of the components has been proven to have a positive pharmacological reaction, which determines the usefulness of the “Golden Star” balm, which we will talk about in a moment.
Pharmacological properties of the drug
Of course, “Zvezdochka” balm has a lot of useful properties, which are determined by the peculiarities of the effect of its active components on the body. For example, camphor and menthol are used in folk medicine as antiseptics. In addition, these substances have an irritating and analgesic effect.
Clove oil also has an antiseptic effect. Moreover, it protects tissues from infection. No less effective antiseptics are cinnamon and eucalyptus oils. By the way, the last component has antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Mint protects tissues from the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, relieves pain, and also repels insects. In addition, the drug expands capillaries, slightly reduces blood pressure, and improves blood circulation in tissues. The balm has a mild anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect. Stimulation of the reflex centers of the nervous system is also observed.
Composition and properties
The word “star”, which is popular among people, means a pharmaceutical drug of the “Golden Star” brand. You can buy it in different forms. We are talking about ointments, inhalers, pencils, bottles with a liquid form of balm.
Among the ingredients that make it up, essential oils that have a healing effect on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx deserve special attention:
- clove oil;
- Eucalyptus oil;
- peppermint oil;
- cinnamon oil
Star balm for a runny nose has many beneficial properties. We are talking about antimicrobial, local irritating and distracting effects. Due to the good volatility that characterizes these aromatic oils, they penetrate deeply into the nasal passages. This provides a therapeutic effect on their mucous membranes.
The balm is harmless and non-toxic due to natural ingredients of plant origin and the absence of harmful chemicals. A negative and rarely observed effect of this unique healing agent is the possible development of allergic reactions in the patient. However, this drawback is inherent in almost any herbal medicine.
The ointment of this brand has a list of advantages that distinguish it from many popular drugs for the treatment of rhinitis, which can be seen on pharmacy shelves. In the list of advantages of an asterisk you can see the following:
- Naturalness.
- Almost complete absence of side effects and contraindications for use.
- Good therapeutic results from its use.
- Wide spectrum of action.
- Affordable price and availability at any pharmacy outlet.
- Various methods of use (from lubricating the skin to inhalation procedures and medicinal baths).
Anyone who decides to undergo therapy using this unique natural remedy should carefully study the description of methods for using it to obtain the maximum healing effect for a runny nose.
Main indications for use
In fact, this remedy has a lot of useful properties and can cope with a lot of problems. So in what cases is “Zvezdochka” balm effective? The application here is quite wide:
- colds, flu;
- headache;
- severe runny nose, sinusitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses;
- insect bites;
- coughing;
- joint pain;
- pain in the spine;
- dry calluses on the feet;
- constant swelling of the feet;
- subcutaneous hematomas;
- seasickness.
In some cases, this remedy is also used to maintain the vitality of the body. As you can see, the “Star” balm can really be considered a universal treatment.
Balm “Star”: instructions for use
As is already known, this drug is widely used to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders. But how to use the “Star” balm correctly? The instructions for use provide clear instructions in this regard.
To begin with, it is worth noting that the drug is intended for external use. If you are bitten by an insect, apply a small amount of balm to the affected area of the skin. If you are worried about headaches, then lubricate the skin in the temples and back of the head with the substance. If you have a severe cough, apply the medicine to the skin of your chest, neck and upper back. After this, it is advisable to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and give the medicine time to work, so it is recommended to carry out the procedure before bed.
“Star” balm is effective for a runny nose - you need to treat the skin on the bridge of the nose and in the area of the wings of the nose with it. If you are worried about joint pain, then rub the drug into the affected area several times a day, then cover with a cloth.
By the way, the balm can also be used in aroma lamps. Regular inhalation of steam from essential oils is an excellent prevention of flu and colds.
If you are worried about swelling in your feet, then after taking a contrast bath you need to rub a small amount of balm into the sole and skin of the ankle. Using the balm, you can get rid of dry calluses - after foot baths, rub the medicine into the affected area of the foot.
Blood vessels are the most important vital channels. In youth they are very elastic, blood moves in them freely and unhindered. With age, substances such as cholesterol, uric acid crystals, etc. accumulate on the inner walls of blood vessels, which leads to narrowing of blood vessels and their sclerosis.
Pathological changes such as poor blood circulation, lack of oxygen, dizziness, weakness throughout the body, atherosclerosis and other diseases appear. In severe cases, when the blood vessels are already blocked, diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, blood embolism, etc. appear. In other cases, due to the fact that the feet are in the lowest part of the body, the blood vessels in them become thin, the blood circulation slows down, many minerals and crystals in the blood accumulate in the blood vessels of the foot joints, and this causes arthritis, gout and other diseases. According to statistics, the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases is very high - a quarter of the world's population.
Massage of biologically active points helps prevent many diseases. If you use the “Golden Star” balm, it will have an even more effective effect on the human body. The “star” will force the blood to circulate at high speed in the blood vessels in a spiral. Regular use of the balm activates blood circulation, cleanses the walls of blood vessels, softens them, restores their elasticity, effectively breaks down accumulated harmful substances, and also removes toxins from the body and blood vessels and, thus, prevents the risk of various cardiovascular diseases.
Oriental balm “Star” is recommended for colds, runny nose, cough, flu, inflammation and pain of the nasopharynx (it eliminates unpleasant sensations in the nose), headaches and dizziness, seasickness, insect bites.
The balm has a strong aromatherapy effect, soothes, relieves fatigue, tones and facilitates the work of tired muscles, fills them with lightness, strength, elasticity and energizes.
And these are not just words - the effectiveness of the “Star” balm has been proven by time!
Contraindications and warnings when using Zvezdochka
The only serious contraindication when using Zvezdochka balm is individual intolerance to the components of the product.
It is better not to use the balm for children under five years of age, since its composition can have too strong an effect on the child’s body, which will inevitably lead to side effects, in particular allergies. If, as an exception, you violate this rule, do not forget to consult with the pharmacist, or even better, with your doctor regarding the correct use and duration of treatment. It is very important! And don’t particularly trust the advice of “well-wishers,” because what suits one child may harm another.
Some adults may also be prone to allergic reactions. In particular, this may manifest itself as redness of the skin at the application sites. Therefore, we recommend: before you start treatment with the “Star” balm, check yourself. To do this, you need to apply and rub a small amount of the drug onto the back of your hand, chest or leg. If the next day no red spots appear at the site of rubbing, then you can safely begin treatment.
You just need to keep in mind that, despite the minimum of contraindications, those who suffer from pustular skin diseases should still avoid using Zvezdochka bacham. Do not rush to use the balm even if you have damaged your skin - this will further aggravate the problem.
Under no circumstances should the balm be applied to the eyes or other mucous membranes of your body!
There are known cases when some people, out of stupidity or for experimental purposes (or maybe out of greed - so that the product would not be wasted) rubbed the balm into their intimate places. It ended, as it should have, in tears. It didn’t even get to the emergency room, but there was plenty of pain. Here's an example. One adult man (by the way, his wife was a doctor), while checking his first aid kit, discovered a box of “Zvezdochka” balm. He didn’t know how to use the ointment, but since the expiration date had expired and the box was practically untouched, instead of throwing away the ointment, he decided to use it anyway: the good stuff wouldn’t go to waste. At first, he somehow read the instructions, paying attention, most importantly, to the composition of the drug (it would be better if he did not do this.). One of the ingredients seemed familiar to him from an advertisement for some very expensive remedies for impotence and for increasing male strength. Inspired, the man smeared the balm on his genitals and began to wait for the effect. The effect followed within a couple of minutes. After twenty minutes of frantic washing, the poor experimenter felt a little better. But for two days he could not get rid of the feeling of powerful air conditioning in his trousers...
You should not smear the balm on your nose, especially in excessive quantities. If you have a runny nose, better open the chapter of our book, which clearly describes where to rub the “Star” balm for a cold. And the pictures are given to make it easier for you to cope with the task - to correctly find the required point on the body
Under no circumstances should you take “Zvezdochka” balm orally with boiling water (as some extreme sports enthusiasts do). Not every body will like this remedy for colds. Why take the risk if there are more reliable and effective ways to overcome the disease using the same balm.
We also do not recommend rubbing yourself with Vietnamese balm from the hair roots to the calluses. Remember, everything that is not in moderation is harmful! And don’t expect a therapeutic effect from such rubbing - you should use the balm more wisely and be sure to know where and why to rub it.
Shelf life, storage conditions
Asterisk balm should be stored in a cool, dry place, tightly closed.
Be sure to hide it from children.
The shelf life of the drug is 2 years.
When purchasing Golden Star balm, be sure to pay attention to the production date and expiration date.
How to use the balm for inhalation?
For coughs and severe runny nose, this medicine can also be used for inhalation. So how to use “Star” (balm) correctly? The instructions here are quite simple. First, you need to pour a liter of water into a container and bring it to a boil, then remove from the heat. Add a small amount of balm (about the size of a pea) and a tablespoon of table salt to hot water. Lean over the container, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the steam for ten minutes. It is better to keep your eyes closed.
Are there any contraindications?
Of course, today this medicine is very popular. And many people are interested in whether all categories of patients can use a product such as “Zvezdochka” (balm). The instructions say that this drug has some contraindications, although in reality there are not so many of them.
To begin with, it is worth noting that the balm should not be used by people with hypersensitivity to any of the substances present in its composition. Also, this product is not recommended for use in children under three years of age, as it contains menthol. Contraindications also include asthmatic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, since essential oils can cause bronchospasm in the patient.
Is Zvezdochka balm allowed during pregnancy?
Of course, in such an important period of life, a woman is primarily interested in the safety of the drugs she uses, since they can harm not only her, but also her unborn baby. On the other hand, it is at this time that, due to a weakened immune system, the body is most susceptible to infectious diseases and colds.
So is “Zvezdochka” balm allowed during pregnancy? It is immediately worth noting that pregnancy is a contraindication. Nevertheless, doctors quite often recommend this remedy to their patients. Of course, there is still a minimal risk of complications, but this balm is much safer than other medications.
In this case, a woman should only take precautions, use not too much of the substance and carefully monitor changes in her condition. By the way, before starting therapy, you need to do an allergy test - apply a small amount of balm to the skin and observe whether redness and itching appear in this area. This test should be performed even if you did not have an allergy to Zvezdochka before pregnancy.
Asterisk balm for cough. Useful properties of balm “Star”.
“Asterisk” is often used to relieve itching caused by mosquito bites.
Thanks to the cooling effect, the itching actually goes away for 15-20 minutes, then it may appear again. * for a runny nose, apply ointment under the nose, smear the wings of the nose or do inhalation (dissolve a little ointment in boiling water, bow your head over it, covering it with a towel, and breathe; another option is to use a special inhaler.
* for headaches, rub the temples, brow ridges, and the area above the upper lip. Be careful: if you apply the balm with your fingers, do not rub your eyes with them under any circumstances, but rather wash your hands thoroughly immediately after applying the balm.
* for colds, the ointment is often rubbed into the abdomen, chest, and back.
* for pain in muscles and joints, rub the balm into the disturbing areas.
* for seasickness, it is useful to rub the balm into the back of the head and temples.
* “Star” will also help with depression - by rubbing the balm into your temples, eyebrows and the back of your head, you will sleep better and restore spiritual harmony. You can also do aromatherapy - place a little balm (smaller than the head of a pin) in an aroma lamp, add water and light a candle.
Note!
* using “Star”, make sure that it does not get on mucous membranes, open wounds, or pustular skin diseases. Thus, if this does happen, immediately rinse the affected area with plenty of water.
* due to the use of “Asterisk”, adverse reactions and allergies may occur. Only if you feel something is wrong, wash off the ointment and do not use it again.
* can everyone use this balm? No, not everyone. Any drug has contraindications, including Zvezdochka. Namely, increased sensitivity to its components.
* children under 2 years old are prohibited from using the balm.
Are there any possible side effects?
It’s worth noting right away that when used correctly, Vietnamese balm “Star” is almost completely safe. Occasionally, patients experience allergic reactions, which are accompanied by itching, skin rashes and redness, as well as slight swelling of soft tissues and mucous membranes.
If you apply too much balm to your skin, you may burn, so carefully follow all instructions and doctor's recommendations. The burn is accompanied by a feeling of intense heat and burning. In such cases, you need to wash off the remaining substance with warm water and soap.
If while using the drug you experience a deterioration in your health, or the appearance of some unpleasant symptoms, then you should immediately stop treatment and consult a doctor as soon as possible - perhaps this medicine is simply not suitable for you.
Additional information and special instructions
First, it’s worth talking about storage conditions. The shelf life of this medicine is four years from the date of manufacture. The “Zvezdochka” balm should be stored in a dry, cool place, out of the reach of children, and preferably out of direct sunlight. If you comply with all storage conditions, the drug can be used throughout its expiration date.
When using, it is extremely important to ensure that the balm does not come into contact with open wounds and mucous membranes, as this can cause irritation. The drug is not intended for oral use.
Reviews from doctors and patients about the “Zvezdochka” balm
Surely, this remedy is available in every home medicine cabinet. And people's reviews of the balm are mostly positive. There are not many contraindications, and side effects are extremely rare.
At the same time, the effect of proper use of the medicine is difficult to overestimate. The balm quickly helps to cope with pain, weakness, and cold symptoms. You can also use it to get rid of a lingering runny nose and ease your breathing in a matter of days. An undoubted advantage of the drug is its availability, since “Zvezdochka” actually costs mere pennies and is sold in any pharmacy.
Of course, before starting use, you should read the instructions and carefully follow all precautions and recommendations of your doctor.
Story
In the original, the ointment was called “Vietnamese Star” and, accordingly, it was produced in Vietnamese factories. The specific author of the original composition was scientists from the Vietnamese pharmacological company Danapha, Danapha Pharmaceutical JSC. American pharmacists translated the name Cao Sao vàng as “Golden Star Balm”, and it appeared on our market with this labeling. The Soviet people did not “try” the balm right away: for some reason, it was supplied with instructions in their native language. Also, in the first version, the ointment did not contain healing eucalyptus oil - its addition turned the drug into a real miracle.
