Hazrat Tariq bin Suwaid رضي الله عنه reported that he asked the Prophet ﷺ about using alcohol as medicine. The Prophet ﷺ replied that alcohol is not a cure, but it is a disease. This narration is mentioned in Musnad Ahmad 18862.

Based on this hadith, Islamic scholars state that the Islamic ruling is that drinking alcohol for treatment or using pure alcohol on the body for treatment is haram, even if no other medicine is available. However, if alcohol is mixed into an oil or balm in such a way that its original status and effect are finished, then using that oil or balm is permissible. Scholars also mention that it is better to try treatment with pure and clean substances. This fatwa is mentioned in Asna al Matalib and reflects the view of Islamic scholars.