Embrocation. Do you want to be an Icy Hot Stunta?

You can't have embrocation without bros

     Embrocation, that is a hot(see, because it feels hot) new thing. Let's take a look at it, shall we? The word comes from the Greek embrokhē, meaning lotion. Then, in medieval Latin, embrocare, meaning to rub in lotion. Currently, embrocation means both the lotion and and the application of. So the Greeks and Romans, with obvious help from ancient aliens, knew we were going to want to rub lotion on ourselves while freezing our asses off, getting a solid seventeenth, racing around a cow pasture.
     You can't talk about embrocation without talking about liniment(Latin, linere, to anoint).

Soothes hands, side effects include ridiculous mustache

Liniment is used to soothe sore muscles and is rubbed in to the skin, massaging said muscles. So generally you are going to use this post-workout. Liniment is primarily alcohol(or other evaporative) so it evaporates quickly, cooling the skin. It may also contain, wintergreen, for more cooling, or capsaicin (chili pepper goodness) to provide a warming effect.
     Embrocation is also used to soothe muscles and  is massaged in to your flesh, but you put it on pre-ride. Embrocation can use as a primary ingredient, plant oils and fats or petroleum jelly, basically moisturizer. Like liniment it will have capsaicin to provide a warming effect.
     Did you know embrocation was used, in the Victorian era, to treat cholera? They also used cupping which is where you make a small cut in the patient and then apply a vacuum to the site to remove bad humors. Both  methods had similar results.
    So are we getting any real benefit? The big claim is that embrocation keeps you warm and we will get to that in a minute. First, recommended application is to rub it thoroughly in to your muscles(legs, glutes, lower back. DO NOT APPLY TO WANG REGION). This is a good thing. Cold morning, muscles are stiff and cool, rubbing them will help warm and loosen them, preparing them for activity. Second, there is a lot of moisturizer in embrocation, this is good for cold and/or wet days. It will keep your skin from drying out, reduce chafing, provide protection from the wet, and ensures your knickers are gross enough you will not be tempted to use them again without washing them. Third, the HEAT. With capsaicin rubbed on, you are going to get that burning sensation. What is happening?
     Capsaicin(also capsicin, capsicum, cayenne) is an active component of chili peppers. It is an irritant to mammals(But not birds, interesting), causing a burning sensation on exposure, especially to mucus membranes(eyes, mouth). It is also hydrophobic, this is why drinking water did you no good after you ate that habanero on a bet. The burning sensation is caused because capsaicin activates a nerve channel that transmits pain or heat notifications. It is usually opened when a temp over 37c(that is body temp) is applied, to let us know that the burner is still on. But when capsaicin is applied it will trigger the nerve well below body temp.
     So there it is, the embrocation is not making your legs warmer. It is faking out your brain, making it believe you are by the fireside, when you are, in fact, struggling on the run up.
     A couple of other interesting tidbits.
     If you use capsaicin for an extended period, the neurotransmitters are depleted, and you get an analgesic effect.
     Capsaicin is a banned substance in horse racing. If you were a horse you would be doping right now.

      Embrocation is something all the cool kids are doing right now. There is certainly no harm in it, and it generally does you some good. But remember, the sensation of warmth is just that a sensation, you are not actually warmer. Wear your warm gear(no shorts and sleeveless tops) and eat plenty, the furnace needs extra stoking on cold days. Drink plenty of water, so you don't dehydrate. This is tough because you are going to want to take a leak every ten minutes and that is loads of fun with bib tights on. You have to kind of arc the stream out.
     Final thought: Don't stick your finger in your eye.