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.
Burns
Posted by Moffat (London) on 03/29/2026
★★★★★
This ointment is nothing short of miraculous for minor stove or cooking burns. After cooling down the burn under cold water for 10 minutes apply a small amount of this salve, so that it is thinly spread but covers the whole area and within ten minutes you will forget you have a burn. It just takes the pain away completely and unless you rub the burn accidentally or put it under hot water or near another source of heat thus reliving the pain of the burn, you will not feel a thing until it's all healed. 10/10
Carrier Oil in Zambuk
Posted by Naomi (North Carolina) on 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.
Cure-All Ointment
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.
Zam-Buk Feedback
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.
Where to Buy
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.
Burns
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
The Real McCoy
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!
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!
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.
Zam-Buk Feedback
Posted by Kathleen P. (Dumfries, Scotland) on 03/11/2019
★★★★★
Can't really comment on how efficient Zambuk is. Am 86 and it was the only ointment available when I was a child here in uk.
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 Chris (CA) on 03/11/2019
★★★★★
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 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!
Zam-Buk Feedback
Posted by Debbie McCormick (Santa Rosa, CA) on 04/24/2019
The active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub are camphor (a cough suppressant and topical analgesic), eucalyptus oil (a cough suppressant) and menthol (a cough suppressant and topical analgesic). The inactive ingredients in Vicks VapoRub include cedarleaf oil, nutmeg oil, petrolatum, thymol and turpentine oil.
Zam-Buk Feedback
Posted by Anna (New Orleans, LA) on 03/11/2019
Sounds like many of the same active ingredients as Vick's Vaporub....
Pain Balm
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.
Cracked Heels
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.
