I must be getting old because one of my favorite stations on XM radio is the channel that plays the old-time radio shows (XM 148). I like it because I get to hear programs that my parents and grandparents listened to when they were around. One night, driving home, I heard a commercial for an arthritis cream called Australian Dream. The spokesperson for the commercial was Chuck Woolery, who many may remember from TV game shows like Love Connection. I've never heard of Australian Dream, so I decided to review it. As I drove home, eager to learn more about this product, I thought for sure I knew exactly what its active ingredient was. I couldn’t have been more wrong―which made me want to review it even more.
Australian Dream Research
From what I can tell, Australian Dream has no published peer-reviewed evidence to show it reduces arthritis pain or any other kinds of pain, better than a placebo or better than other similar products on the market. That's too bad considering the product has been around for over a decade. Because of that, let's now look at the ingredients in the product and see what we can figure out.
Australian Dream Ingredients
According to the product website, the active ingredient in Australian Dream is histamine dihydrochloride (at a concentration of 0.025%)—which, they tell us, is an external analgesic.
Other ingredients in Australian Dream include:
- Water
- Butylene Glycol
- C13-14 Isoparaffin
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Emu Oil
- Ethylhexyl Stearate
- Glucosamine Sulfate
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil
- Laureth-7, Methylisothiazolinone
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Polyacrylamide, Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Polyacrylate
- Tetrasodium EDTA
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin-E)
- Trideceth-6
Since none of these ingredients are listed as active ingredients, I will assume that they are inactive and play no role at all in the effectiveness of Australian Dream. That said, if you look closely you'll see that this list includes 3 ingredients that people with arthritis pain are probably familiar with:
- Glucosamine sulfate
- Chondroitin sulfate
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
These 3 ingredients show up in A LOT of joint pain supplements, many of which I've already reviewed. That said, I want to point out that the evidence purporting they may help arthritis pain is based on taking them by mouth―not rubbing them on the skin. For example, I'm not aware of any proof that rubbing glucosamine on the skin helps arthritis pain.
So, I have to ask the question: Why are glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM in this product? The only reason I can think of is for marketing 
purposes. In other words, people expect to see them in a joint pain supplement, and they might not buy the product unless they see them.
As proof of this, I even noticed websites specifically touting the glucosamine in Australian Dream. Whether they are present or not, I don’t feel they contribute anything to how well Australian Dream works.
For more on these ingredients, see these reviews:
Since histamine dihydrochloride is listed as the only active ingredient, let's now talk about it more and see what it does.
Histamine Dihydrochloride
Histamine dihydrochloride (pronounced hiss-ta-mean dye-hide-row-klor-ride) is a form of histamine—a compound that does many things in the body. For example, histamine is released by immune system cells during allergy season and is the reason for runny noses and watery eyes. Some people may take antihistamines, which block the action of histamine.
Tip. another name for histamine dihydrochloride is histaminum hydrochloricum.
On the product website, they say histamine dihydrochloride is an “external analgesic.” An analgesic is something that relieves pain.
As an aside, in some countries (not in the US), histamine dihydrochloride may also used to treat some forms of leukemia; although in this instance, it is injected rather than being rubbed on the skin. Rubbing it on the skin does not do the same thing as injecting it.
This stuff is also a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels. I think this is at the heart of its pain-reducing effects. As blood vessels open up more, there is a greater flow of blood to the area to which it is applied. The improved blood flow to the area might give the sensation of warmth, which temporarily masks pain sensations.
I think this is how histamine dihydrochloride works, because I'm not able to find any evidence that it directly reduces pain. I think the pain reduction is a byproduct of improved blood flow.
If anyone can find evidence that histamine dihydrochloride directly blocks pain receptors, let me know and I'll update this part of the review.
Who Makes Australian Dream?
Nature’s Health Connection is the company that makes Australian Dream. This company is located at 230 Plummer Street, Campton, KY 41301, according to the Better Business Bureau file. I called Nature’s Health Connection and was told this is the address of the company headquarters but is not where Australian Dream is made.
The BBB gave the company an “A +” rating when this review was created. See the BBB file for updates and more information.
The BBB previously had another website for the company: “NHC123.com” (where NHC probably refers to Nature's Health Connection). This may be the original company website which is no longer being used.
The website for Australian Dream and Nature’s Health Connection is: AustralianDream.com.
Another address for Nature’s Health Connection: 121 Pelfrey Drive, Campton, KY—which is about 3 miles from the Plummer Street address. When I spoke to the representative at Nature’s Health Connection, I was told this address is no longer valid.
Contact Australian Dream
The customer service number is 888-600-4642. The contact page of AustralianDream.com also has an email option; however, I recommend calling them if you have a question. They have helpful customer service reps. The BBB also lists another contact number of 606-668-6533.
Is Australian Dream Sold In Australia?
Australian Dream is made in the US. As it happens, my friend and fellow health investigator, Bill Sukala, lives in Australia. I asked him if he's heard of Australian Dream. He said he hadn't. Nature’s Health Connection also informed me that the product is not currently sold in Australia.
Buy Australian Dream
This arthritis cream is popular. I've seen it at many stores. You can purchase it at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, Bed Bath and Beyond.
How To Return Australian Dream
To their credit, the makers of Australian Dream have an “Empty Jar Guarantee.” For those who are not satisfied, they can return the empty jar along with their sales receipt and get a full refund. To return Australian Dream send the jar to: Australian Dream Refunds PO Box 609 Campton, KY 41301.
Australian Dream Back Pain Cream
The company also makes a Back Pain Cream too. The Back Pain Cream contains the same active ingredient as regular Australian cream (histamine dihydrochloride) but at a higher concentration – 0.5%. Here's the concentration of the active ingredient for the regular cream, back pain cream and Australian Dream Hand and Wrist cream side by side:
- Australian Dream (regular): 0.25%
- Back Pain Cream: 0.50%
- Hand and Wrist Cream:0.25%
Where Did the Name Come From?
I was curious about where the name “Australian Dream” came from, so I asked Nature’s Health Connection, the maker of the product, who told me that the name was chosen because the product contains emu oil, which comes from Australia.
I located one online source which notes emu oil used to be the primary ingredient in the product until the year 2000, when another ingredient―presumably histamine dihydrochloride―was added to the product.
As an aside Blue Emu Oil is another product marketed to help joint and arthritis pain.
Australian Dream And Migraines
This is not related to Australian Dream specifically, but as I was researching this product I uncovered an interesting clinical trial related to whether histamine dihydrochloride could help migraine headaches when it's placed under the skin.
As I wrote this review, the clinical trial had not yet begun, but I wanted to address it for those who may be searching for does Australian Dream might help with migraine headaches. For more on migraines see these videos on my Youtube channel:
What supplements help migraines
Why I don't like butterbur for migraines
Can CoQ10 help migraine headaches?
To play devil's advocate, one study from 1985 noted intravenous histamine dihydrochloride caused headaches. That doesn't mean rubbing Australian Dream on the skin does the same thing.
Australian Dream Side Effects
I think Australian Dream is safe for most people who use it appropriately. Searching online for side effects does not turn up much in terms of people saying bad things about it either. That said, some have said they have had side effects. For example, in the comments below, one person said Australian Dream worked but also made his skin itch.
I think most of these complaints may be linked to histamine dihydrochloride, which is the product’s active ingredient. Here is a list of potential / theoretical side effects based on the active ingredient. How likely any of these are to occur, I do not know.
This list is not complete.
Because histamine dihydrochloride vasodilates (expands/enlarges) blood vessels, it's possible that it may decrease blood pressure. This effect might be most noticed by those with low blood pressure or those who take medications for high blood pressure. When I searched online for side effects, I did see some people talking about how Australian Dream lowered their blood pressure, causing them to feel dizzy.
Histamine may be related to headaches but that doesn't necessarily mean rubbing a histamine dihydrochloride cream on the skin causes headaches. Still, headache-prone individuals should consult their doctor or pharmacist for more up-to-date and in-depth information.
Some people online reported having an allergic reaction shortly after using Australian Dream that resulted in itching, difficulty swallowing, and blisters. My guess is that this may be due to a histamine sensitivity/intolerance where some people may lack the ability to break down histamine.
- For those who may be sensitive to histamine dihydrochloride, it may be best to do a test, using a very small amount on a small area of the skin to see if any side effects occur.
- People who have skin conditions should ask their doctor or pharmacist before using the product.
- The glucosamine sulfate in the product – because it comes from shellfish – may cause an allergic reaction in those who have a shellfish allergy.
- Wash hands thoroughly before touching the eyes, as it may cause eye irritation.
- Do not use Australian Dream on areas of the skin that have cuts, scrapes, or open wounds. This may give histamine dihydrochloride access to your bloodstream, where it may have different effects than when placed topically on the skin.
- Don't use Australian Dream if you are pregnant or nursing without consulting your doctor first (inform the doctor what the active ingredient is too).
Ads for Australian Dream say it is odorless, but some people online have noted that it has an odor. Again, some people may be more sensitive than others on this issue. People with lung problems (asthma, COPD, etc.) should refrain from smelling the compound, and also use it in a well-ventilated area, just to be safe.
All that said, I think most people will probably not notice any unusual side effects from the product, but when in doubt, ask your pharmacist or doctor just to be sure. For more info, see this summary of the product.
Australian Dream Experiment
I do not have arthritis and so trying it on myself would not work. I did however purchase Australian Dream for a relative who is a 90-year-old WWII / Korean war veteran and formal postal worker whose route required he walked 13 miles a day for over 20 years. That's over 60,000 miles walked – just for the post office. That doesn't include his time in WWII or Korea.
Needless to say, he's got knee arthritis and while he walks, he's in some pain.
He tried Australian Dream and while he thought it might have worked after the first night, told me shortly thereafter, it was not helping him. Of course, it could be that his arthritis was too far advanced for the product to work? Walking all that distance for years plus being in the military will take its toll on anyone.
There are many nameless people on the web who give testimonials about products. I wanted to provide these insights for what they are, just a non-scientific experiment from someone I know and trust so you would have something to compare testimonials to.
Take it for what it is.
Does Australian Dream Work?
Looking at what research I could find I think it's possible some people may notice temporary relief of aches, pains, and joint stiffness. How does Australian Dream compare to other pain relief creams like Ben Gay or Aspercream? I'm not sure. The good news is Austrliam Dream is not expensive so it may be worth a try. If you've tried and it helped―or didn’t―do leave a comment below and let me (and others) know what happened.
Do You Have Any Questions?
I have used the creme for three months. It works better on my knees than cortisone injections. The results are immediate. I have restless leg syndrome. The creme stops the pain in my calves. I feel like I need to buy a large supply in case it gets taken off the market.
Sharon, thank you for sharing and I am glad Australian Dream is working for you. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I doubt it will ever be taken off the market.
I am going to try this product but first want to know if it is OK to take this if you are on blood thinners. I have AFib and need to check this out first.
Thanks
Hi Hazel, since this is something you rub on to the skin I dont think there will be any interaction. Since I’m not a doctor why dont you show the ingredients to your pharmacist and see what she/he thinks. They may even sell it at your local pharmacy too.
Hello. I am a 61 year old female and I’ve been using AUSTRALIAN DREAM cream for approximately 3 years for arthritis in my neck. It usually only bothers me upon awakening due to stiffness but once I get up and moving around, not much discomfort. I think the cream does help. I
don’t use it every day, only when I need to. I feel that even if the cream only makes me feel better 50%, then it is worth what it costs, because it is not cheap.
My daughter recently told me about another cream with ARNICA that is supposed to work well, but from what I read, it sounds like it can cause other problems. Do you know anything about it?? Thank you.
Hi Marla, while arnica cream might help, I would be cautious of consuming arnica supplements. I’ve heard they can cause problems in some people
Hi Joe, thanks for your tip and concern. The arnica I have is not a supplement but a topical cream. Yes, I know it is still absorbed in the body. Mine is organic and has several other organic ingredients, all natural. I have been using the Arnica cream for about a week and so far it seems to resemble the relief I get from Australian Dream cream. The maker of the arnica cream said it sometimes takes a month or more to get results and even then, not everyone does.
Hi , I’m 59 year old male and a diabetic. Due to age and illness my arms started bruising at the lightest touch. My Doctor recommended this. I am using the gel and with the first application I could notice a difference. The old age bruising after 2 days are completely gone. I’m using it on my feet and knee’s and have amazing results with diabetic nerve pain. I not taking the pain meds. that I had for years!!! I don’t know what is in it that is not listed but it works.
Hi Marty, really happy it has been helping you. Since you mentioned you were a diabetic, may I call your attention to this book which has a chapter on diabetes – How Not To Die. Ive found this book to be very interesting.
Marty: What product are you using for nerve pain. I injured my sciatic nerve on my left side and although physical therapy has taken me a long way I am left with my toes on the left foot being numb. They have given me Gabapentin 600mg 3 times a day and after a month the numbness does not seem to be any better and so if Australian Dream or some other product has helped you I am interested. Thank You in advance
I just purchase a 4oz. jar the other day and i for one can say this cream made a big differance the first time i used it. I have been driving for 26yrs as a over the road truck driver and had to retire because of back, knee, leg, neck, pain. I have used many products over the counter and through doctor prescriptions.
After retiring from the road and having back problems it limit the things i could do like cutting the grass, driving, going up and down steps, even sitting or lying down to long before i had to get up and move around. Over the years with this problem you just bare the pain and take what you can fine that would relive the pain.
With Sciatica, thoracic, and piriformis muscle, pain everyday it made everyday living unbearable. You would find yourself looking for anything that would relive the pain even if it was just for a little while. I ran into this product just by chance and i tried it and i have not found anything that has worked this fast and relieve the pain so i could even get up out of bed without holding onto something and walk without pain.
I have even found that i have a case of gout and it relive the pain with in minutes. I for one would recommend anyone with back pain to try it and see if it will help. Now everyone won’t get the same results but it’s worth a try.
I used it Sunday for back pain and shoulder pain, it was the first pain free night I ever had! So I applied more and broke out in horrible rashes!! I couldn’t go out in public!
I highly recommend this product. I just happen to be highly allergic!! I am going to send it back for a refund!! I just wish I could use it!!
Hi Karen, so sorry that it caused a rash.
Definitely have had knee pain relief using this cream. It’s about 80% relief but it’s allowed me to walk so much better and without a cane. I am using the Back Pain Cream on knee since it is twice as strong as the arthritis cream. Haven’t used it long enough to notice any side effects.
I used this cream on myself and my husband. We both have arthritis pain. I found that I was able to sleep comfortably at night after using it. My husband has severe problems and he did not notice the benefits as much as I did. It certainly is worth a try to see if it helps others.
Hi Susie, my name is Lucy …I am interested in how you are still doing using the Australian Dream Cream …I am 47 years old and have been dealing with almost everything you spoke about ..except I don’t have MS …but a missing bone in my spine which has caused more chronic pain throughout my body for the past 35 years!
I just started using this cream 2 1/2 weeks ago and find it rather amazing…As NOTHING else has worked this well for me …ever! (And I’ve just about tried it ALL)
I would like to ask you if you are still using it and is it still working …I, like you stop responding after time goes by. AND have you found there to be any ill effects, long term? Thank you ? Lucy B.
Australian dream works for my knees. As you said, the pain relief is temporary, but it is real nonetheless, and you don’t have to use a lot of it at once, so a (rather expensive) 4 oz. jar lasts a long time.
It might be worthy of note that when I put it on my low back, which was out and really needed a chiropractic adjustment, it did nothing. I have no arthritis there, so the pain was caused by unhappy muscles and inflammation (and possibly raw nerves). This leads me to believe that Australian Dream really does have something specific to arthritis in it.
Thanks for your informative and well-researched article!
Marcia
Marcia, you are very welcome and I’m glad Australian Dream helps your knees.
I tried this for arthritis in my knee and it did nothing!
I have had severe back pain for YEARS, this product gives me such relief that once rubbed on, I am able to sleep or live a comfortable life. It does not take away the pain or symptom forever but it gives you the relief you need to go about your daily business. On top of that no odor, and not greasy, I am a true believer,
I use Australian Dream every night. I could not sleep without it. for me, it is my knees. Bengay helped some, but I hated the smell. I tried Aspercreme with no relief. Capsacin burned so bad and I could not wash it off. I spent an hour crying in burning skin pain. I take Aleve, can’t take ibuprofen and have used Celebrex for years. Still, Australian Dream is what lets me get to sleep at night.
Beth, really glad Australian Dream is helping you! Happy New year and I hope you have a great 2016!
I have chronic back pain for to spinal stenosis and have “failed back syndrome” which means I paid for several back surgeries that didn’t do squat for me and made me worse in some ways. My biggest problem is nocturnal muscle spasms, mostly to the left of my spine and in my left leg.
I shelled out the $30 for a jar of Australian Dream and have used it for three nights now. These are the first three nights I have slept all night without hopping out of bed with severe spasms!
I rubbed the cream on the left side of my back and on my left calf and ankle. Within 10 min I felt the areas getting warm. Then I dosed off only to wake up 7 hours later and not nearly as stiff as usual. Last night I rubbed it across my whole lower back and actually feel kinda great this morning!
I will tell you that this stuff made my hands itch like mad. I have a splotchy red area on the top of one hand, too. But I can live with that. (The first night I just rubbed the left over cream into my hands like lotion. I’ve since learned to wash them after application.)
I don’t care if this stuff is made from cow dung! If nothing else, I’ve gotten three good nights sleep. It may be a placebo effect for all I know. But it’s working for now and I’m grateful.
Crystal, really happy that it is helping relieve your pain and you can sleep better at night.
While googling the ingredients for Australian Dream Cream, I came across this website. I have been using it for about one year now, on and off for my arthritic thumb pain and it does take away the pain. Then this weekend as I was lifting and shifting furniture items (which I should not be doing) I really pulled my lower back. It was to the point I could not get out of a chair last night.
So when I finally managed to push off from the chair and go to bed, i decided to apply some to my lower back..and I have no pain today and used it again this morning. I am not saying it works for everyone as seen from many of the reviews, but some of us are lucky that it does work.
I personally would recommend it….and after reading that it increases the blood flow…I believe that is what is helping relieve the pain. Thanks Joe for reviewing this product.
Hi Nancy, I’m happy Australian Dream is working for you and also glad you found my review too. And be careful moving furniture too 😉
Hi, I wanted to weigh in as someone who has just started using Australian Dream recently, and as someone with a shellfish allergy. I have not had any bad side effects from the cream at all. I’m also a migraine sufferer, and again, no side effects. In fact, I’ve used the cream on my neck when I feel the pre-migraine neck tension begin, and astonishingly, it seems to work more often than not in taking the neck pain away (and thus I don’t proceed on to the full-on migraine stage).
I’m really loving this stuff, and I say this as someone who is very science-based, and who didn’t want to believe this could work!
Amy, thanks for the impute and I’m happy that Australian Dream is helping you 🙂
Auz Dream cream works for my thumbs/wrists. Today Sep 6, 2015, I discovered 2X strength at my CVS. That may reduce the need for repeated applications to my thumbs and wrists.
Joe,
I just came from the store where I said to my Mom “I don’t know if I should buy this stuff or not, maybe I’ll just go home and read the reviews and take it from there”, but I bought it anyhow.
Just tried it for the first time on my knee and hip. I know that I’m looking at a knee replacement in a few years, so I’m trying to buy myself some time.
I swear, just for a moment, that it felt a little better, but it’s probably just wishful thinking! I’ll give it a shot and see what happens.
I’m not looking to do ballroom dancing, but I’ll settle for being able to walk without pain. I’ll give it a week or so and keep you posted.
Sandy
We Sandy, I really hope it helps you. I can appreciate you wanting to buy yourself time. Question do you need to lose any weight? If yes that will buy you time too. Maybe a lot of time. Do let me know if what happens. I’ll say a prayer tonight that it helps you.
I am 68 years old and have had tinnitus for 15 years – both ears. I thought it might be allergies, it may be a nerve problem behind the ear. As an experiment I bought this for pain control and used it around my ear. The tinnitus has decreased in the short time used- we will see if it continues. BUT it does confirm the opening up the arteries which may reduce the tinnitus, which is wonderful. We will see……
Terry, that’s quite interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Something else that works is DMSO. (dimethylsulphoxide). My doctor told me to try it for osteoarthritis and it gives me several hours of relief (usually all day on my stiff fingers which recover their full motion). Check it out on Amazon, for instance. It is better if cut with 10-20% water. It also comes in a cream mixed with aloe. Check out the reviews at Amazon. No marketing contents added. About $20 for a pint that lasts a month or so.
Best of luck.
Osteo, yes there is some evidence that DMSO might help temporary help rheumatoid arthritis pain. people should take a look at the company that makes it and yes do read the amazon reviews as they can be helpful too. Because DMSO can penetrate the skin, it might also pull in any impurities too. That’s why its good to deal with established companies that people trust. I think its good to start with less than is recommended for the first week, just to see if there any side effects. Some side effects might include being tired/dizzy and lower blood sugar levels (so be careful if you are a diabetic) Here’s all the DMSO products I saw on Amazon
My grandpa used this product and had a severe forced allergic reaction in his foot where the rash was literally as red as a tomato and spread to all other part of his body.
As it was said, such incidents may not be common for most, but they can be severe for the few it does affect; my grandpa ended up in the hospital for three days with everyone stumped as to what had happened for the longest time.
Grace, did doctor really say the rash was due to Australian Dream?