Skunk oil, obtained by frying skunk body fat, is said to have medicinal properties, including relieving the common cold and healing dry skin. Its effectiveness is questionable, and it is available through small retailers or by hunting skunks. Medical advice should be sought before use.
Skunk oil is very different than most people would think when hearing about the product. It is not the same as skunk spray, which is foul-smelling and produced by a live skunk when it feels threatened. It is actually the oil obtained by frying the animal’s body fat. For many years this oil has been said to have medicinal properties, although its effectiveness is questionable.
The most commonly touted use for skunk oil is to relieve or treat the common cold. Proponents claim that rubbing this oil balm on a person’s chest will cure a cold as quickly as possible. While there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, many remedies that warm the skin and underlying organs, including this type of balm, open up the passageways in a congested system by making everything expand and relax. This allows blockages, such as mucus, to pass easily through the body and be digested harmlessly, easing discomfort.
Skunk oil liniment is also used as a moisturizer to heal dry, chapped skin. Because skunk oil is essentially greasy, it penetrates the skin a small amount at a time. It also forms a protective barrier to prevent cool or dry air from causing further damage or irritation to the skin.
Some find skunk oil to have very little odor, while others report that it has a slight odor. Still others argue that it has a very distinct and unpleasant smell. Those who persist in using this old home remedy often add a drop of wintergreen or peppermint oil to their concoctions to drive away any odors or to aid its purported decongestant qualities.
The products are commercially available through a number of small retailers, mostly those that cater to people seeking holistic care. The easiest way to obtain skunk oil remains the same as it has been centuries past: by hunting and processing your skunk. Before using any home remedy, even one as mild as skunk oil, you should seek the help and advice of a qualified physician. It should also be noted by anyone using a home remedy that if symptoms persist or worsen, or if an adverse reaction is noted, immediate qualified medical attention should be sought.
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