Formulation Development and Sensory Evaluation of A Natural Topical Hot Oil (Thera aroma) for Musculoskeletal Comfort

 

Lee Wan Zhen1,2, Muhammad Haziq Firdaus Bin Hafez1 , Nur Shahruddin Bin Shahrullizan1, Muhammad Nazri Bin Anuar1, Adib Zaqwan Bin Zamri1, Nur Fatiha Shahirra Binti Mohamad Fauzi1, Suganya Mahadeva3 , U.S. Mahadeva Rao4*

1Department of Wellness, Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism And Wellness (FHPK),

Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kampus Kota, Kelantan, Malaysia.

2Exercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences,

Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

3Medical Officer, District Government Hospital, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh - 4740014

4School of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kampus Perubatan,

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: raousm@unisza.edu.my

 

ABSTRACT:

Musculoskeletal discomfort and tension are increasingly prevalent among Malaysia's working population and aging society, partly due to urbanization, the nature of modern occupation with generally sedentary activities, and work-related stress. Unfortunately, pharmacological treatment of musculoskeletal discomfort and stress management may produce unwanted side effects and lead to long-term dependency. There is a great need to find a natural and harmless yet effective alternative. The purpose of this paper was to develop and evaluate the Thera Aroma, a natural hot topical oil that consists of virgin coconut oil, menthol, methyl salicylate, Amboyna wood (Cenuai), gui-zhi (Cinchona twig), and lime essence. This article follows the structure of a mixed-methods research paradigm. This research elicited the responses of fifty participants by using a 5-point Likert scale which examined the items of product smell, texture, warming, post-application comfort, and general satisfaction. Findings showed high acceptability scores on all the attributes of the sense of touch, including a pleasant aroma (92%), general satisfaction (90%), non-greasy texture (88%), and feeling comfortable after application (85%). In particular, the feedback obtained has pointed to the relief of pain, where most people have noticed a reduction in musculoskeletal pain and improved comfort, thus proving the effectiveness of Thera Aroma. This research clearly proves the value of the natural oils and therapeutic components present within Thera Aroma in alleviating both physical discomforts as well as psychological distress. It appears that a natural cream could be a very effective, safe, and acceptable method of enhancing musculoskeletal well-being.

 

KEYWORDS: Musculoskeletal discomfort, Natural topical oil, Sensory evaluation, Aromatherapy, Wellness.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Musculoskeletal discomfort, stress, and sleeping disorders have become rising health issues within the Malaysian community, especially amongst Malaysia’s working population and seniors1,2.

 

The escalated rate of urbanization, lack of physical activities, increased screen time, and work-related stress have precipitated an upsurge in physical and psychological distress3. According to one study, over half the workforce in Malaysia is unable to get adequate sleep owing to stress-related problems, which contribute to the acceleration of muscle tensioning, fatigue, and poor quality of life4,5. Each of the above is associated with the need to find an easy and convenient method whereby the participant's physiological comfort as well as overall health can be improved.

 

Conventional medication has already been used in        stress 6, anxiety7, muscle and skeletal discomforts8, as well as insomnia9, particularly in older people. But as it has been traditionally associated with conventional medication typically being dependent on it, one can ascribe unpleasant results such as undesirable reactions to medication, medication-related problems, and increasing healthcare expenses10. It is safe to conclude on the limitations associated with conventional medication that both practitioners and clients have been looking towards complementary and alternative approaches in order to find methods whereby it can be considered both safe and economic11. The topical form has been of peculiar interest owing to its topical mechanism as well as its lack of systemic side effects12.

 

Currently, there has been a growing interest in natural product alternatives, such as herbal oils and aromatic therapeutic preparations, owing to their safety and holistic responses13. Essential oils and their naturally occurring compounds identified to demonstrate warming, analgesic, and circulatory responses, as well as relaxation responses, are in high demand14,15,16. However, despite their growing demands, some concerns remain regarding their safety and conformity in terms of preparations in the Malaysian market17. These preparations exhibit the presence of heavy metal content, lack of uniform preparations, and lack of quality assessment, among others. This study involves an awareness of the growing need to conduct pharmaceutical-level analyses of natural topicals with considerations to safety and uniformity concerns of their preparations in the Malaysian market18.

 

Apart from the abovementioned issues concerning perspective, the study aims to formulate Thera Aroma, which is a natural topical warm oil consisting of the following active and inactive ingredients: virgin coconut oil, menthol, methyl salicylate, Amboyna wood (cenuai), gui zhi (cinnamon twig), and lime essence. These components have been selected on the basis of known functional and therapeutic properties such as warming, relaxing, circulation-stimulating, and stress-relieving effects, which have been associated with improved health and wellness19. These properties through the use of virgin coconut oil as the bio-compatible ingredient in terms of absorption20, aside from the warming effects offered by the addition of menthol and methyl salicylate21, can be complemented through the addition of lime essence to promote improved aromatherapy effects which is remorid to promote comfort and acceptance22. This formula is designed to cater to any demographic segment whether physically active, office-bound with muscle stiffness because of prolonged sitting position, and senior citizens with chronic muscle discomfort23,24.

The objective of conducting this study is to find out the formulation and acceptability of Thera Aroma, as it is a natural topical wellness formulation. In taking into consideration the comfort, scent, and touch of that product, a study was conducted to combine traditional herbal practices and modern pharmaceutical ideas in creating a formula that can be safe, effective, and acceptable to consumers in Malaysia as a medication for massages and wellness programs.

 

METHODOLOGY:

In assessing the formulation processes, appeal, and usability of Thera Aroma, a mixed-methods paradigm was used. The formulation consisted of virgin coconut oil, menthol, Amboyna wood (cenuai), gui zhi (cinnamon twig), methyl salicylate, and lime essence. Fifty participants were used to test the product on the 5-point Likert scale for the assessment of aroma, touch, warming sensation, comfort after application, and overall satisfaction. Feedback on pain relief, physical comfort, and user comfort was also obtained subjectively. Ethical issues considered in this study involve those concerning informed consent, confidentiality, and participant's freedom to withdraw at any time. Quantitative data pertaining to the sensory aspects was analyzed from a descriptive point of view, with coding of the feedback in respect to the themes identified.

 

Preparation to make the Thera Aroma:

Thera Aroma is a mixture of various natural ingredients chosen based on their characteristics and resultant benefits. Major ingredients such as virgin coconut oil to moisturise20, menthol to cool21, Amboyna wood (cenuai) to relax25, gui zhi or cinnamon twig to improve circulation26, methyl salicylate to relieve pain21, and lime essence to give a pleasant and lifting scent are to be used22. To prepare Thera Aroma, all the ingredients are to be measured and placed in separate clean basins. Menthol crystals are to be added to the base oil and a few drops of lime essence added to it. All are to be gently mixed together until they are properly mixed and the menthol is fully dissolved. The resultant mixture is then gently warmed and filtered into clean, sterilised bottles. Then, the mixture is cautiously warmed and purified into neatly disinfected bottles. Mix all of the ingredients together until the ingredients have been thoroughly combined and the menthol is extracted. This helps to produce a relaxing and aromatically scented hot oil for topical application. (Figure 1: The process of making Thera Aroma)

 

Figure 1: The process of making Thera Aroma

 

RESULTS:

The acceptability, usability, and effectiveness of Thera Aroma were determined by conducting a sensory evaluation. A total of 50 participants took part in the sensory evaluation. The sensory aspects considered were the aroma, general satisfaction, non-greasy texture, and comfort feeling after application. Referring to Figure 2 above, it is clear that the most satisfied component of the product is its aroma, followed closely by general satisfaction, which has an impressive score of 90%. Another highly impressive score is recorded by its non-greasy texture and comfort feeling at 88% and 85% respectively. In particular, the feedback obtained from the participants emphasized the relief of the pain after using the product, and the overall effect of easing the musculoskeletal pain, proving the effectiveness of Thera Aroma. The feedback verified that the participants enjoyed the product not only for the sensory attributes but also for the benefit of relaxation and relief it provided, proving its effectiveness for relaxation and relief.

 

 

Figure 2: Sensory Evaluation of Thera Aroma

The results obtained here in fig. 2 show a high level of participant satisfaction in all aspects that were considered. The scores all exceed the value of 80%, which means that the participants rated Thera Aroma very positively in the aspects of usability and effectiveness.

 

DISCUSSION:

The acceptability, usability, and sensory qualities of Thera Aroma were tested in this research using a structured sensory evaluation on a total of 50 respondents. Satisfaction levels indicate that the product performs well on all the required qualities since the results show that the product has a very high level of satisfaction on all the qualities measured aroma, overall satisfaction, non-greasy texture, and after application comfort above 80%. Therefore, Thera Aroma has immense potential in the form of a topical therapeutic and comfort product.

 

The appreciation of aroma was the dominant factor, where 92% of the population showed intense appreciation. The role of aroma has come into focus through this study, where the impact of lime essence might have contributed significantly to this aspect, as citrus-scented aromas have been widely linked to mood stimulation, stress relief, and refreshing effects associated with relaxation and improved mood 27. The role of a pleasant and refreshing fragrance cannot be overlooked, which may result in repeated use of the wellness product, as it has significant importance to the effectiveness of wellness products.

 

The overall satisfaction level is also equally well-rated at 90%, which is an indication of a mix of many other factors of various attributes. This is an indication that the individuals assessed Thera Aroma not only separately for various qualities but also for their overall performance. The high overall satisfaction is an indication that the composition is well-balanced so as to merge the sensory qualities with its benefits, thereby endorsing its usability28,29. This is especially true for a product intended for overall relief and emotional satisfaction.

 

The non-greasy feeling of the formulation in Thera Aroma was appreciated by 88% of the respondents, highlighting the importance of texture in making a product usable. A non-greasy formulation is also more comfortable to use, has a fast absorption rate, and does not interfere with the normal activities of the day. Virgin coconut oil, a major ingredient in the formulation, is most likely the reason for the formulation being appreciated for its non-greasy feel, as it is already known for its moisturizing effects and ability to be easily absorbed into the skin30,31. These characteristics will ensure continued use, since the user will feel comfort using the product.

 

-application comfort, with an 85% satisfaction score, is an added attribute making the product ideal for continued use. Analysis of comfort after application emerged as an important factor in efficacy, particularly with formulations intended to ease muscle tension and induce relaxation. When considering relaxation, ingredients such as menthol, methyl salicylate, and gui zhi are commonly associated with relaxation and anti-tension responses, often accounting for their associated comfort scores in studies32,33. However, it is pertinent to acknowledge the subjective perception of quick pain relief, ensuring the efficacy of this product, intended to provide warmth, pain relief, and circulation. This outcome supports the merger of herbal product combinations and the modern practice of self-relaxation, ensuring their acceptance and safety in the      marketplace 34.

 

In general, high levels of satisfaction with all attribute factors suggest that Thera Aroma is highly efficient at its intended usage of relieving both bodily comfort and mental relaxation, making it a potential candidate in the markets of aromatherapy and wellness care.

 

CONCLUSION:

Thera Aroma is identified to have great potential as a safe and natural health remedy designed specifically to meet the requirements of the Malaysian market. Consequently, as evident from the findings appearing in this study, the natural topical formula applied in the study is greatly acceptable. Many of its major attributes, such as smell, touch, satisfaction, and comfortable sensations post-application, have received positive responses in terms of acceptance of its efficacy in meeting those requirements. The results of this research could be attributed to the fact that the formulation used combines natural components with healing and aromatherapy properties. Although the results of this research depend entirely on subjective methods of testing, the results of the research carry some weight in terms of giving some indication of its effectiveness in terms of using the formulation for wellness purposes. Such natural topical formulations, hence, could be an effective means of merging traditional herbal medicine with wellness medicine, providing effective, safe, and acceptable alternatives.

 

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Received on 11.12.2025      Revised on 29.01.2026

Accepted on 20.02.2026      Published on 16.03.2026

Available online from March 18, 2026

Research J. Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(3):1006-1010.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00142

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