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Zam-Buk Ointment: Herbal Healing for Skin & Pain Relief

| Modified on Aug 04, 2024
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Zam-Buk is a revered herbal ointment that has been a staple in South African households for over a century. Known for its vibrant green color and versatile healing properties, this inexpensive remedy is gaining popularity worldwide.

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First patented in 1902 by Charles Edward Fulford in Leeds, England, Zam-Buk quickly became a go-to herbal balm and antiseptic ointment. It's now known for treating a wide array of ailments, including:

  • Cuts and Bruises
  • Dry and Rough Skin
  • Sprains
  • Stomach Ulcers
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Colds and Coughs
  • Toothaches
  • Muscle Pain and Stiffness

How Zam-Buk Can Benefit You

Zam-Buk’s unique formula provides relief for various conditions, making it a must-have in any medicine cabinet. Here are some of its primary uses:

  • Itching and Pain Relief: Eases discomfort from insect bites, rashes, and minor injuries.
  • Skin Care: Treats rough elbows, chapped lips, and cracked heels.
  • Wound Healing: Promotes faster healing of cuts, burns, and abrasions.
  • Respiratory Relief: Helps alleviate symptoms of asthma, COPD, and sore throats.
  • Fungal Infections: Effective against toenail fungus and plantar warts.

Powerful Ingredients

Zam-Buk’s effectiveness lies in its potent natural ingredients:

  • Eucalyptus Oil (5.03 g): Known for its antiseptic properties, it treats insect bites, burns, cuts, and relieves muscle pain.
  • Thyme Oil (0.50 g): Used for scars, skin marks, acne, and coughs due to its antibacterial and antiseptic qualities.
  • Sassafras Oil (0.62 g): Traditionally used for gastrointestinal issues, colds, and skin eruptions.
  • Camphor (1.66 g): A terpene used to relieve pain, reduce itching, and treat fungal infections.

Potential Side Effects

While Zam-Buk is generally safe, some users may experience side effects. These can include:

  • Vomiting
  • Allergic reactions
  • Increased heart rate
  • Slowed breathing
  • Nausea and diarrhea
  • Increased perspiration and urination

Sassafras Oil Caution

Sassafras oil, though effective in small amounts, can cause toxicity if overused. Symptoms include abdominal pain, dizziness, hallucinations, low blood pressure, and potential liver damage. Pregnant women should avoid sassafras oil due to the risk of miscarriage.

Medication Interactions

Zam-Buk may interact with certain medications such as:

  • Aspirin
  • Diabetes medication
  • Ibuprofen
  • Omeprazole
  • Amitriptyline
  • Diclofenac
  • Lovastatin

Consult your physician before using Zam-Buk if you are on any of these medications.

Where to Buy Authentic Zam-Buk

Zam-Buk can be purchased online from retailers like Amazon and eBay. Be cautious, as different versions are available, including authentic South African Zam-Buk, a Thai version, and a UK version. The authentic South African product is distinguished by its unique smell and color.

Share Your Experience

Have you tried Zam-Buk? Share your feedback and read testimonials from other users on Earth Clinic below! Discover why this herbal ointment has been a trusted remedy for over 100 years.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Burns

5 star (1) 
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Posted by Wendy (South Africa) on 10/30/2019
 ★★★★★

Hi my name is Wendy I would like to thank zumbak I got burnt but within a week the wound was closed

Carrier Oil in Zambuk

Posted by Dee (P.S. Ca.) on 03/11/2019

I am wondering what is the carrier oil in Zam-Buk, can not use some carrier oils. Thank you in advance.

Replied by Naomi
(North Carolina)
05/20/2022

I was also wondering about this, so googled it. Apparently it depends upon where it was manufactured. Some list only camphor and eucalpytus in active ingredients, some list in addition to those, thyme and sassafras. In still another ingredient list, sassafras was replaced with colophony. I only found a few ingredient lists that named the carrier, and some had paraffin, and others named paraffin and petrolatum. Not sure why it isn't listed on the package as I do try to avoid paraffin and petrolatum products.

Cracked Heels

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Posted by h swart (Parow) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★★

I'm also using zam buk for all the years. Is the best also for cracking heels. I rub my feet with zam bok en wear socks the best over night.

Cure-All Ointment

5 star (7) 
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Posted by Nosie (WESTERN CAPE, SA) on 08/14/2021
 ★★★★★

A PHARMACIST at Clicks Vredenburg recommended Zam-Buk when I could not find an ointment (thrombo fobo jel) I was using for my itching burning, swelling hands every winter season.

I immediately bought it and I never looked back, it helped me a lot, and I am also using it for my dry feet.

Cure-All Ointment
Posted by Annette (Germany) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★★

Lived in SA. My dad used to have Zam-Buk at hand throughout his lifetime. It seemed to be his A-Z ailment ointment. Brings back very positive memories.

Cure-All Ointment
Posted by Pamela R. (France) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★★

How Extraordinary !! I have recollections of this being a common salve in the medicine chest aeons ago, during the course of my youth - I had forgotten all about it. Can't remember exactly what I found it useful for but recall it was an excellent remedy in the medicine chest, will now check it out again. Many thanks, Pamela

Cure-All Ointment
Posted by Carolyn (Canada) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★★

As a child in Canada, my mom always had Zam-Buk ointment in the cupboard for cuts, scrapes and bites. I loved the smell of it and it healed and relieved the pain and itch fast. I used it on my children as well. Awesome product!

Cure-All Ointment
Posted by Chris (CA) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

As a South African living abroad now for over 20 years, I can attest to the need to have Zam Buk. It was always a part of the care kit at home when I was growing up and then became a must buy once we had moved and made trips back to SA. It is great for stings, sunburn, chapped lips, rough skin, cuts and “grass burns”. As a child, my son suffered with dry skin on his hands and my wife would cover his hands in Zam Buk and put him to sleep wearing cotton gloves and in the morning he would be sorted out. I have also tried the other versions and can safely say nothing beats the “real makoya “! For those of you wondering about the meaning and origin of the word Makoya, this may help: “The name Makoya hails from the townships in South Africa and is an informal term for the ‘Top Guru'. We want to be known as the trendsetter and we strive to be acknowledged as pioneers” – Kenny Malgas

Cure-All Ointment
Posted by Phyllis T. (Manitoba, Canada) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★★

I live in Canada. Purchased the product many years ago. Fantastic. Use it mostley for chapped lips. Do a lot of walking with my dogs and find it really good for dry skin too. A perfect product for me.

Cure-All Ointment
Posted by Jeniffer (Malaysia) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★★

My family use Zam-buk for everything! We've been using it for more than 60 years!

Fibromyalgia

Posted by Millie (United States) on 03/11/2019

Is Zam-Buk good for fibromyalgia? I'm always in pain.

Replied by HisJewel
(United States)
03/12/2019

High Vitamin D3 gave me my first relief from Fibromyalgia - 10,000 IU daily with vitamin K2. Read up on High Vitamin D3. Mr. Robert Henry told me to read about it, I did and got an added blessing.

Pain Balm

4 star (1) 
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Posted by Satwant Bali (Haryana, India) on 03/11/2019
 ★★★★☆

Yes we used zambuk as teenagers while in Tanzania. It was used as pain balm. Now I am 79 and long forgotten the balm.

The Real McCoy

5 star (1) 
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Posted by Eugenius Mthombeni (South Africa ) on 07/29/2019
 ★★★★★

Zam-Buk "the real Makoya" township slang for "the real McCoy" denoting the originality of the ointment or anything deemed an original compared to fake or knockoffs. Happy use... From South Africa!

Where to Buy

5 star (1) 
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Posted by Shirley T. (Baltimore, MD) on 01/04/2021
 ★★★★★

Earth Clinic,

Will you all be getting any more of the ZAM BUK balm's in again?

Anyone traveling to/from South Africa to bring them OR can they be shipped to the U.S.?

EC: Hi Shirley,

So sorry, no more Zam-Buk. We tried for a few months in 2019 to get the company (Bayer SA) to ship to us, but no luck. Try Ebay... just make sure it's not a knock-off.

Zam-Buk Feedback

5 star (3) 
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Posted by Simon F. (Huddersfield. West Riding of Yorkshire) on 02/19/2021
 ★★★★★

used Zam-Buk all my life from grandma putting it on my scuffed knees to today's chilblains,

Always a magic ointment, stocked up on it after we joined E.U when it vanished in UK. The old remedies are the best.


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