What is Australian Dream?
Australian Dream guarantees pain relief for arthritis, muscle aches, and minor back pain with daily use of their creams.
The company was founded in 1996 by the Maddox brothers, sons of a rural physician. Their father’s clinic served some of the poorest people in the country and provided a foundation for American Dream’s mission to help others.
The company offers 2 formulations that differ slightly in terms of the ingredient list and intended use. However, both creams allegedly provide effective relief through the same key active ingredient.
Australian Dream states that their products are different from other topical pain relief creams as they lack ingredients like menthol, camphor, and capsaicin; ingredients that may cause an unpleasant odor or burning sensation.
According to Australian Dream, apply a small amount of their cream to your fingertips and massage into the area where you’re experiencing pain no more than 3-4 times daily.
Though they claim you’ll reduce your pain, they mention that the speed of relief varies from person to person.
In this review we’ll help you answer this question by highlighting the available scientific support for the safety and efficacy of Australian Dream’s active ingredient.
The Key Active Ingredient: Does it Work?
American Dream offers 2 formulations, one for back pain, and one for arthritis pain.
The ingredient list for each cream differs slightly, though both may offer relief through the same active ingredient: histamine dihydrochloride.
In this section, we’ll provide the ingredient list for each formulation, though our literature review focused on the available support for the active ingredient found in both creams.
Arthritis Relief Product:
- Histamine dihydrochloride - 0.025%
- Chondroitin
- Emu oil
- Glucosamine
- MSM/DMSO2
- Vitamin E
Back Pain Relief Product:
- Histamine dihydrochloride - 0.050%
- Aloe Vera
- Chamomile extract
- Emu oil
- Ginger extract
- MSM/DMSO2
- Tumeric extract
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Histamine dihydrochloride
Histamine is a nitrogen-containing compound that is heavily involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions. Histamine dihydrochloride is an artificial form of histamine.
Histamine dihydrochloride is used primarily in treating patients with leukemia as it can boost the ability of white blood cells to kill tumor cells. However, it is also FDA approved for use as a topical pain relief cream.
Pain relief may be related to the role of histamine receptors in the pain pathway. Histamine may also reduce inflammation and increase blood flow, 2 actions that can also positively impact aches and pains.
Despite these potential benefits, topical histamine dihydrochloride has not been extensively studied in the laboratory, in animals, or in humans.
We located only one study that examined the topical use of this ingredient.
Painful inflammation in and around the mouth is a potentially debilitating side effect of stem cell transplantation.
In a randomized trial with 45 stem cell patients, those that were treated with a 0.12% histamine dihydrochloride topical gel did not experience relief. These patients were also more likely to develop painful complications when compared to the placebo group.
The topical gel used in this study was offered at a higher concentration of histamine dihydrochloride than Australian Dream. Also, the gel was applied to the inside of the subjects' mouths, a very absorbent area.
Poor results in these subjects are therefore concerning when we consider that American Dream creams offer smaller concentrations which must be applied over thick, less absorbent skin.
Histamine dihydrochloride is offered at a higher concentration in Australia Dream’s back pain cream. Again, this may be because the skin overlying arthritic joints is thinner and may not need a higher concentration of the active ingredient.
There were no studies that examined this concept, unfortunately.
While histamine dihydrochloride has been proven effective in treating leukemia when injected, studies detailing its efficacy for topical pain relief are basically nonexistent.
Is Australian Dream Safe to Use?
Topical pain relief creams are generally safe, though there are some considerations to be mindful of before use.
Make sure you know the ingredients, skin rash is probably the most likely side effect. If you develop one, discontinue use. You should also avoid use over open or healing wounds.
Regarding histamine dihydrochloride, adverse events may include headache, fever, and diarrhea; keep in mind, this is in the injectable form of this ingredient.
In the lone study that investigated a topical gel, no side effects related to treatment were reported.
We don’t have adequate research to characterize the safety profile for this ingredient fully. More long-term studies with human subjects are needed.
For these reasons, it’s best to speak with a physician before use. Your aches and pains can be related to a more serious condition that requires medical management.
Australian Dream Pricing and Where To Buy It
Getting Australian Dream is easy enough as many major retailers offer their products, though prices may vary slightly.
- Target offers the 2oz jar of Arthritis Pain Relief Cream in stores and online for $17.99
- Walmart and CVS offer the 2oz jar for $17.86.
- At Amazon, you can pick up a 2oz jar for $15.
Though not available for purchase on their site, Australian Dream backs all purchases with an “empty jar” guarantee.
Per the company:
“If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase of an Australian Dream product, you can return the jar or tube with the original receipt for a full refund of the purchase price.”
To process your return, mail the empty jar/tube and the original sales receipt to:
Australian Dream Refunds
PO Box 609
Campton, KY 41301
Though this guarantee may remove some of your concerns when purchasing, keep in mind that it may take 4-6 weeks to receive your refund.
Are There Any Alternatives?
Some other brands offer histamine dihydrochloride creams.
The Extra Arthritis Pain Relief Cream by CVS Health contains the identical concentration of histamine dihydrochloride that is offered by Australian Dream’s arthritis cream. They offer the 4oz jar for $26.99.
Raging Kakapo Pain Relief Cream contains capsaicin as well as histamine hydrochloride at a 0.075% concentration. The 4oz jars are prime eligible and offered at $17.97.
If you’re interested in a histamine dihydrochloride cream, Raging Kakapo may offer more bang for your buck.
They claim that their cream can tackle back and arthritis pain, so purchasing 2 different products is not necessary. Ragin Kakapo offers a 25% larger dose than Australian Dream’s Back Pain Relief Cream. Lastly, you would receive double the amount of cream for the same price of 2oz American Dream jars.
Keep in mind that the addition of capsaicin in this product, a chili pepper extract, may cause a burning sensation.
The Bottom Line
While histamine dihydrochloride has been proven effective in treating some conditions, its effectiveness as a topical pain relief cream has not been demonstrated. Much more work is needed to investigate any possibility of effectively reducing painfully.
Topical creams are generally safe for use with skin rashes being the most likely adverse effect. Nonetheless, the lack of research means that fully identifying the safety profile for this ingredient is not possible.
As these products are modestly priced and also backed by the empty jar guarantee, the downside of including them in the treatment of your aches and pains is probably minor.
Keep in mind, there are other creams containing the same ingredients that have been well studied. These may offer a better option for relief.
Lastly, always identify the source of your symptoms before use. A physician can help you determine the underlying cause and outline the best plan of care.
