Abstract: Disclosed are stable, water-based topical creams comprising nitroglycerin and suitable for pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic use. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the creams. Also disclosed are methods for treating circulatory disorders, methods for preventing or alleviating insufficient circulation, methods for enhancing localized activity of systemically administered drugs, methods for enhancing circulation, and methods for promoting wound healing by administering the disclosed creams. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.