Uddermint
There are many varieties of garden mint – apple mint, grapefruit mint, peppermint and so on, but Uddermint has nothing to do with them.
Those with a working knowledge of cows may have heard of Uddermint. It is a product that has been developed to enhance udder health. It is a soothing liniment which is rubbed into the problematic quarter/s of the udder. It is also a valuable ointment for massaging muscles and joints and is useful at calving, particularly for heifers, the bovine primigravidae. It contains 35% pure Japanese peppermint oil and smells fresh and wholesome.
I don’t know any cows so how did I come by a tube of Uddermint? My son-in-law meets an interesting range of people in the course of his work, one of whom (actually, probably several!) was a Dorset dairy farmer. I don’t know how big his herd was or if he was still milking by hand (unlikely, I would have thought, knowing nothing whatsoever about it!) Anyway, he had occasion to apply Uddermint to one of his cows. This poor man had arthritic joints in his hands and he noticed that they were less painful after he’d finished anointing the afflicted cow.
A while later, another cow fell victim to an unnamed complaint and the heady unguent was again employed to ease the pain. Once more, the farmer noticed the easing of aches in his hands and it seemed to him that the coincidence was remarkable, so he continued to rub the ointment into his hands, with highly satisfactory results.
My son-in-has some problems with his hands, not least being a lack of complete fingers on one of them (but that’s a story for another day) The farmer told him his tale and gave him a tube of cream to try. Discovering how effective it was, he proceeded to carry some with him at all times, and advised others to try it for their various muscular and joint ailments, too.
He smiled through all the jokes – ‘Holy cow!’, ‘You’re barmy (balmy) and what seems to be everybody’s favourite, ‘Pull the udder one.’
If it’s still available* and you are tempted to try it, don’t forget to read the advice on the back of the tube – ‘avoid contact with eyes and nose and keep it out of the reach of children.’ I thought it said ‘chickens’ before I put on my glasses and was imagining all sorts of poultry (or even paltry) reactions.
It ought to be kept away from sheep, too. They don’t like mint, perhaps because they know they might soon be keeping company with it at the dinner table!
* I've just checked and it is still available over the counter. The packaging is different now.
We have a product here called Bag Balm. Originally marketed for farm animals, but is is popular as a healing salve for us two legs as well.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it states, not for human use, and if it helps cows udders, an obvious question arises.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it said it was not for human use. After all, skin is skin, no matter whose!
DeleteAn interesting and useful discovery.
ReplyDeleteHelpful for aching joints and muscles, too.
DeleteGoodness - surprising and very useful. xx
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is.
DeleteI've not heard of Uddermint but I did use another sort of udder cream on my goats for all the years we had them - kept my hands soft too.
ReplyDeleteYour blog wasn't updating in my reading list but pleased to say it has today - blogger is a mystery!
It must have been a similar sort of concoction, I suppose.
DeleteBlogger is a ****** at times.
I assume one of its ingredients is some form of analgesic? P is interested to know if it would ease Runner's Calf?
ReplyDeleteFor a moment there I thought Runner's Calf was a special breed of cattle.
DeleteIt's used for joint and muscle pain, but might not help muscle tears.
Presumably the tubes are herd sized and you only need to buy one in the average human life time?
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteFrom a quick squizz, the smallest size is 250 ml.
The things you discover from looking after cows. Edward Jenner came to mind with his smallpox discovery.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Jo. :-)
DeleteI would like the benefits of this for my hands and knees, but as delightful as peppermint is to me, needless to say Precious is not impressed. Only the smell of one mint is on her mind, cat mint, lol.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that would work, somehow ;-)
DeleteWhat an udderly entertaining story. 😺
ReplyDelete:-))
DeleteNot having a working knowledge of cows, I'd obviously never heard of Uddermint, but wouldn't hesitate to give it a try if my arthritic joints played up! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's readily available from different outlets, sometimes under slightly different names.
DeleteI never would have thought of such a thing, not knowing much about cows and their udder health. What an interesting side effect! You had me going on keeping mint away from the sheep :)
ReplyDeleteThe downside of the ointment is the strong smell - it overpowers perfume.
Deletei searched and searched. Not sure Uddermint is available in US although there is a product called Dynamint made in Canada. Not surprised that humans would find relief from arthritis - in fact there is a horse shampoo that's popular with some humans for their own hair.
ReplyDeleteHorse shampoo for humans - that's amazing. Mind you, horses' coats do gleam.
DeleteI've not heard of Uddermint, but if it proves helpful in relieving arthritic joints, aching muscle etc and is okay for 'human use' it could be advantageous for those in discomfort to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Anything that helps relieve pain is helpful.
DeleteI've never heard of it, but many "arthritis/muscle pain" creams contain menthol, which warms and eases so I can see how it would help.
ReplyDeleteYou're right.
DeleteHi Janice - I have to say ... it makes sense - we are learning. Thankfully it's not something I suffer with - but note the cream is available. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteGood for any kind of ache - much like Deep Heat, I suppose.
DeleteA facinating story and it sounds like it could be a very useful product for us humans as well as the cows :-)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly helps with aches and pains.
Delete