A Remedy for Aches and Pains

James Elliman found there was a huge market for his embrocation. It was advertised as 'An Excellent Good Thing'. In chilly, damp Victorian homes with no central heating many people suffered from aches and pains. Also people often had to do hard, manual work as their jobs which resulted in lots of aching muscles.

Horses were still the main means of transport and many businesses depended on them, including coaching inns, saddlers, coach builders and corn merchants. A product that could cure the aches and pains of horses, and the people who worked with them, was very popular indeed!

James Elliman Senior died in 1924 but Elliman's Embrocation is still made today by Beechams.

Did you know??
Royal Embrocation was for use on animals and Universal Embrocation was for use on humans – but, apart from
the names, the only difference was that tax was
paid on human medicines.


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