Allow us to introduce you to Tiger Balm. This herbal remedy is said to be a cure-all ointment. With a powerful, yet distinctly familiar smell (think icy hot), it can relieve aches and pains quickly and it helps rebalance your Qi (pronounced “chee,” but we’ll talk more about that later) with its tingling sensations that encourage an increase in blood flow. 

How It Works

So how does this jar of magic salve work? Tiger Balm is loaded with a natural herbal mixture of camphor, menthol, and infused and essential oils (cajuput, mint, clove, and cassia). This combination packs a powerful punch that feels hot and cold at the same time while leaving a gentle tingling feeling in the area where it’s been applied. It can be used for headaches, mosquito bites, muscle tension, and joint pain. The scent is also great for relaxation and has been known to clear your sinuses. You can purchase either red or white Tiger Balm- the red is stronger. 

What’s Inside

Let’s break down what’s inside this cure-all and see what all the fuss is about.   

• • Camphor – Camphor is used as a treatment for rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions. It seems to stimulate nerve endings that relieve symptoms such as pain and itching when applied to the skin. Some people also inhale it to reduce the urge to cough. Camphor is believed to increase blood circulation to the tissues, thereby speeding up the healing process.
  • Menthol – Menthol is a natural extract of peppermint oil or other mint oils. It is said to have antimicrobial properties and creates a cooling sensation when applied to the skin. It’s a natural bug repellant and can provide relief for headaches, joint and muscle pain.
  • Cajuput oil – Ca0juput oil is a warming oil that wears many hats. It’s often compared to tea tree oil, but it has its own unique set of superhero powers. It’s known to kill infections, relieve congestion, increase circulation, and reduce fever and pain. It can also be used for aromatherapy.
  • Clove oil – Clove oil is extracted from the dried flower buds of clove. It is believed to have strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also has insect repelling properties as well as pain-relieving properties.

• • Cinnamon Oil – Cinnamon oil boosts circulation with its warming effects. It’s properties help relieve the symptoms of menstrual cramps, depression, and diarrhea. It also improves blood circulation and brings warmth to the joints and other parts of the body affected by rheumatism and arthritis. This is found in red Tiger Balm.

That’s quite the line up of ingredients, so it’s no surprise that many people keep Tiger Balm in their medicine cabinet for regular usage. 

Oh, and just a word of advice, don’t touch your eyes or your nose after using Tiger Balm. You probably want to watch out for broken skin too. If you’ve ever accidentally scratched an itchy eye with jalapeno on your hands, you get the idea. So, only use it as a topical salve for the areas that hurt and don’t forget to wash your hands.

Have you tried Tiger Balm yet? If so, how do you like it and what do you use it to treat?