We all know the famous little jars of tiger balm…
This ointment based on natural products exists in 2 forms:white or red.
It is mainly used to soothe muscle and joint pain... but this is far from being the only benefit of this ancestral ointment!
Indeed, few people know that Tiger Balm has many uses and health benefits.
Luckily, we've compiled all the amazing uses of Tiger Balm into one list . Watch:
It was in Burma, in 1870, that a Chinese herbalist named Aw Chu Kin developed the recipe for this mythical ointment.
It is inspired by ancient Chinese medicinal formulas used by emperors to relieve pain.
In 1926, his two sons took over production. The ointment is named Tiger Balm, after the name of one of the sons, Aw Boon Haw, which means "gentle tiger".
Since then, Asian families have used it to relieve muscle tension, colds and migraines.
Tiger balm comes in two forms:white or red.
Red Tiger Balm is more concentrated :it is preferred in case of inflammation or to soothe muscle and joint pain.
White Tiger Balm is effective against migraines, colds, flu-like conditions and nasal congestion. It is also recommended to soothe insect bites.
In addition to their camphor content (11% in France), the 2 balms contain in different proportions:menthol, essential oils of cajeput, clove and mint.
White Balm contains a higher concentration of Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oils.
For the red balm, Chinese cinnamon oil is added, which gives it its color.
Click here to discover all the differences between White Tiger Balm and Red Tiger Balm.
1. Muscle pain: red tiger balm is perfect for soothing pain following a sprain, sports injury or minor accident.
2. Neck and shoulder pain: extremely frequent, these pains are mainly due to poor posture. For example, sitting in a desk position for an extended period of time. To avoid these pains, remember to sit correctly, with your back firmly against the back of the chair. Similarly, avoid sleeping on a poor quality mattress or one that is more than 8 years old. To relieve this type of pain, use red tiger balm.
3. Insect bites: White Tiger Balm is a fast and effective treatment to relieve itching caused by insect bites. This remedy works on mosquito bites, fly bites and even the potent venom of fire ants (Solenopsis invicta ).
4. Sore throat: apply white tiger balm to the throat. Massage gently to allow penetration and let the medicinal plants do their magic.
5. Headaches and Migraines: apply a little white tiger balm on your forehead, then gently massage to release tension.
6. Period pain: in case of painful periods, apply a little white tiger balm on the lower abdomen and massage gently for 1 min. Repeat 2-3 times a day to decrease nervous tension and relieve pain. This treatment works on all abdominal pain as well as stomach aches.
7. Stuffy nose: apply a tiny bit of white tiger balm under the nostrils. The essential oils in the ointment will naturally decongest your nose.
8. Dizziness and nausea: after a busy day or a sleepless night, you may feel dizzy and nauseous. To regain your strength, open a jar of Tiger Balm and inhale its vapors to relax and regain your senses.
9. Motion sickness: Do you suffer from motion sickness when traveling by boat or car? So, always keep a small jar of white tiger balm with you, to use to soothe nausea and dizziness.
10. Anti-inflammatory: If you suffer from arthritis, rheumatism, gout or other inflammation of muscle tissue, Tiger Balm Red is an ideal remedy. Indeed, it improves blood circulation, which reduces inflammation of muscle tissue.
11. Toothache: rub a very small amount of white tiger balm on the painful area with a piece of cotton. Toothache pain will subside almost instantly. Be careful not to swallow the ointment. You can also apply Tiger Balm on the cheek, on the side of the painful area. The essential oils in the balm have a warming effect. Absorbed by the skin and the roots of the teeth, they permanently soothe toothaches.
12. Relieves burns: to soothe kitchen burns or other minor burns, use only white tiger balm. Apply to affected areas to soothe the pain sensation and prevent the appearance of unsightly blisters. Do not use red tiger balm, because to heal a burn, it must be "cooled" and avoid sources of heat at all costs. The other method is to soak the burned area in a small bucket of very cold water mixed with a little white balm, for 3 to 5 minutes. In the event of a severe burn, consult a doctor immediately.
13. Cold and Flu: chills, stuffy nose and trouble breathing at night? To relieve the most common cold and flu symptoms, use White Tiger Balm. Apply the ointment in friction on the chest, until you feel a pleasant sensation of warmth. Then, take deep breaths for 1 or 2 minutes. This allows you to find your normal rhythm of breathing and a deep and restorative sleep.
14. Improves blood circulation: If you often have cold feet and hands in winter, Red Tiger Balm can be a life changer. Indeed, tiger balm stimulates and improves blood circulation. Rub the cold areas with this ancestral ointment until you feel a pleasant sensation of warmth.
15. Itchy skin: itchy skin can appear as a result of an allergic reaction to foods, plants and even perfumes. To relieve them, apply white tiger balm directly to the itchy area. And don't forget to find the cause of your itching to prevent it from coming back.
16. Relieves Diarrhea: diarrhea is a real nightmare that can make life very difficult. Fortunately, there are 2 solutions to get rid of it. Apply a little white tiger balm in and around the navel. Then, cover the navel with the palm of your hand for 2 to 3 minutes. Thus, the heat will spread on the stomach and relieve diarrhea. The second solution is even more effective, and also more delicate. Apply the white balm to a clean cotton sheet. Then, cover your buttocks with this sheet for 3 to 5 minutes. By spreading, the essential oils will relieve the colon and stomach, and thus relieve this nasty diarrhea. Use with caution.
17. Relieves pain when you play sports: after intense exertion during a competition, the body produces more uric acid, which leads to chest pain in athletes. If so, apply Red Tiger Balm to your chest before playing sports or running. The balm will improve blood circulation and relieve feelings of pain during sports activities.
18. Relieves muscle cramps :put a little red tiger balm on a damp towel and rub the area where you have a cramp. The balm will relieve the pain after 5 min.
19. Reduces eczema: thanks to its powerful moisturizing properties, white tiger balm reduces inflammation and itching of the skin.
20. Reduces fever: the patch version of the white tiger balm is a natural method to reduce fever, effective in adults and children.
21. Mycosis of the feet: Do you have terrible itching between your toes with dry, peeling skin? So, apply White Tiger Balm to the affected area:it's even more effective than chemical-based medications.
22. Heals minor cuts: apply white tiger balm to small paper or knife cuts. The effect will be immediate:the burning sensation will immediately begin to disappear.
23. Natural mosquito repellent: in the summer, using Tiger Balm is effective in repelling mosquitoes instead of DEET-based chemical repellents. Thanks to this ointment, you can naturally protect yourself from diseases related to mosquito bites. A simple application of White Tiger Balm is all it takes to turn your arms and legs into a no-go zone for all bloodsuckers.
24. Nail fungus: fungus on the nails, it's not very elegant. But rest assured, because just apply red tiger balm to your nails for a few days to permanently eliminate nail fungus. Indeed, camphor is an excellent natural remedy to overcome this dreadful fungus.
25. 100% organic deodorant: whether it's an important meeting or gardening, no one likes to sweat profusely. Have you tried everything but not found a solution yet? Then try the "soft" balm, which is a less potent version of Tiger Balm. Apply to areas of the body that sweat excessively and you will quickly see results. The balm reduces perspiration by tightening the pores of the skin, while leaving a pleasant fragrance.
26. Removes warts: the method is extremely simple. Just apply white tiger balm on the wart and rub for a few minutes. Repeat this treatment daily for 1-2 weeks, until the essential oils in the balm penetrate and kill the root of the wart once and for all.
27. Eliminates corns and calluses: corns and calluses on the feet can easily disappear by regularly applying white tiger balm. Apply directly to the corn and rub for a few minutes. For more effectiveness, the balm can be heated, which improves its penetration to better reach the roots of the corns. Heat the pot by placing it on a radiator or leaving it in the sun for a few minutes.
28. Ingrown toenails: they are unsightly and particularly painful, but there is a method to get rid of them. Soak the nails in warm water to soften the skin around them. Then, cut the skin and the nails using a nail clipper. Then, carefully apply white tiger balm to the painful part. Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, the balm will quickly heal the affected area.
29. Thai massage: red tiger balm is used in spas around the world to relax body and mind.
30. Anti-stress: stress disrupts our behavior and can make us see things in a negative way. To easily release all that stress, open a jar of White Tiger Balm and inhale deeply its relaxing scent. It's a cheap technique to relax in no time.
31. For a good night's sleep: you can also use white tiger balm when you have trouble falling asleep. Apply a small amount of White Tiger Balm under the nostrils just before going to bed. The soothing effect of essential oils will help you find deep sleep.
32. Bath oil: Instead of wasting your money on commercial bath oil, use white tiger balm. Prepare a hot bath, add a small amount of white tiger balm and wait for it to completely liquefy. Then, step into the bathtub and bask in a relaxing bath with many health benefits, especially recommended for those suffering from a cold or the flu.
33. Reduces stretch marks: no need to buy expensive creams to reduce the appearance of small lines that form on the skin. To fade them, make daily applications of white tiger balm directly on the stretch marks.
34. Cracked heels :the skin on the heels and under the feet tends to become dry, rough and cracked. To rehydrate cracked cracks and heels, use white tiger balm. Put a little balm in a basin of hot water and soak your feet in this relaxing bath for 30 minutes. And if you don't have time for a foot bath, apply the balm directly to cracked heels 3 times a day. Continue this treatment for 3 weeks, until the cracks close.
35. Eliminates bad smells: nothing like white tiger balm to say goodbye to bad pipe odors (bathroom, sink, shower). It is also effective for deodorizing shoe closets. Just leave an open jar in the closet where you store your shoes to get rid of bad odors.
36. Drives away and exterminates termites: If you live in a termite-infested area, you know that these little critters can seriously damage wooden features in your home. To keep them away, spread a thin layer of white tiger balm around the wooden elements of your home. The smell of essential oils is effective in keeping them away forever. And if your wooden furniture is already attacked, you can treat it with balm to get rid of it. Just put a little balm in all the termite holes in the affected furniture to exterminate them.
37. Removes paint stains: White Tiger Balm is an effective method for removing paint stains from arms and hands. Put some balm directly on the stain. Then rub the stain thoroughly under running water until the paint dissolves completely.
38. Removes sticker residue: Tired of scraping off stubborn glue residue when removing a sticker? The surprising and effective trick to get rid of glue residue effortlessly is to use white tiger balm. Just put some balm on the remnants of the sticker. Then, rub the area with a clean cloth to easily remove even the most stubborn of residue.
39. Squeaky furniture: Do you have a wooden chair, door or piece of furniture that keeps squeaking and driving you crazy? If you don't have talc or lubricating oil, use a little white tiger balm and the problem is quickly solved. Just spread some balm on the squeaky area and enjoy the silence.
40. For your essential oil diffuser: Are you looking for a homemade organic perfume recipe for your essential oil diffuser? Simply dilute 1 g of balm (white or red) in 1 liter of water. If you wish, you can adjust the quantity of balm in order to obtain a more or less powerful perfume. It is advisable to use the tiger balm oil version. Put this mixture in your essential oil diffuser, then enjoy a moment of relaxation scented with sweet and relaxing fragrance.
41. To keep cats and dogs away: pets hate the smell of camphor and cloves. Thus, apply a little white tiger balm in the places of the house where you do not want them to approach. Thanks to the smell of essential oils, you can keep your cat or dog away from these places. Take care to apply the balm to places your pets cannot reach. Indeed, if they eat or lick the camphor, it can be dangerous for their health.
42. To teach cleanliness to dogs: if you want to potty train your pup or prevent your dog from marking his territory on your favorite carpet, use white tiger balm. All you have to do is keep an open jar of balm around. Thanks to the natural repellent power of essential oils, your dog will learn to wait in his own space before going out to relieve himself. Take care to put the jar of balm in a place that your dog cannot reach.
43. For horses: apply a little balm under the nostrils of the males so that they do not smell the mares in heat. This will block their sense of smell and calm them down. For this tip, only use a camphor-free or low-camphor version, such as Zam Buk Tiger Balm, and preferably diluted in an oil. This trick is also used by jockeys to help their horse concentrate better on their race. You can also apply the balm to the horse's harness.
44. To cry on command: you are an actor and you have to cry on command for a role? Spread a tiny bit of White Tiger Balm under the eyes and you can cry effortlessly!
It's a secret that few people know...
The effectiveness of Tiger Balm depends on how it is applied.
Indeed, unlike traditional oils or ointments, do not try to penetrate the balm or massage the area concerned.
For it to work, you have to rub/heat the tiger balm ! Here's how:
1. Take a dab of balm and rub very quickly with the edge of the hand for example, as if you wanted to cut the part of the body you want to treat.
2. As soon as you feel a warm sensation,stop the friction :the balm will do the rest!
3. Don't worry if applying Tiger Balm gives you a pleasant feeling of warmth followed by a feeling of cold . This is normal and it is even the principle of action of Tiger Balm.
4. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after rubbing, as the balm is persistent. If it comes into contact with the mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, genitals), it can cause painful burning sensations.
To avoid counterfeits, it is important to pay attention to the brand you buy.
The most serious brand comes from Singapore and is called Haw Par.
You will easily find it in pharmacies, parapharmacies and in certain herbalists.
You can also buy it on the Internet. We recommend this White Tiger Balm and this Red Tiger Balm, which have the best ratings on Amazon.
And if you don't want to buy balm, you can also do it yourself!
To make your own homemade Tiger Balm, check out the recipe here.
- Tiger Balm is contraindicated in children, as camphor and peppermint can cause seizures. Therefore, do not use it before the age of 7.
- Tiger balm is also not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women – like all products based on essential oils.
- Finally, it should not be applied to injured or irritated skin, nor to sensitive areas such as the eye contour and mucous membranes.
- After use, remember to wash your hands well .
