A rubefacient is a substance for topical application that produces redness of the skin e.g. by causing dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation. They have sometimes been used to relieve acute or chronic pain, but there is limited evidence as to their efficacy; and as of 2010 the best evidence does not support using gels and creams containing rubefacients for this purpose.
Examples
Common medicinal rubefacients include:
Common herbal rubefacients include:
References
Rubefacient Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA