Last Updated on December 18, 2023
Tiger Balm benefits are surprisingly far reaching. But you may be wondering, what is Tiger Balm? I’m going to share 5 reasons why you should consider this handy ointment as a staple in your medicine cabinet!
Tiger Balm reviews are overwhelmingly positive (averaging about 4.5 stars with thousands of reviews across the various shopping platforms!). Part of that is because there are so many Tiger Balm uses that are beneficial to your well-being without using artificial chemicals or pain killers. From the convenience of the small jar to the low waste packaging, my Tiger Balm review joins the thousands of others who have fallen in love with this product. Find out why by reading below.
This post was sponsored by Tiger Balm. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information please see my disclosure policy.
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tiger balm reviews
Last year, I started lifting weights which was brand new for me! It’s been great feeling stronger, but I’m currently taking some time off because I sprained one of my shoulder muscles pretty bad.
And in other terms of personal wellness, I’m back doing theatre for the first time since 2020 shuttered so much of the industry. I’ve been tap dancing my little heart out, meeting new people, and getting so much joy from doing something I’m so passionate about.
To help with some of the shoulder pain I’ve been experiencing, I’ve started using Tiger Balm. I picked up their Ultra Strength balm that comes in a glass jar. It’s a pretty small jar that I can easily throw into my dance bag. I love that this handy balm is more of a natural remedy that I can easily pick up around town.
As you read this post, keep in mind I’m not a qualified health expert, I’m just sharing a review of what’s helped me. If you’re having any kind of severe pain, it’s always best to talk to your doctor.
what is tiger balm?
Tiger Balm is an over the counter solution for pain relief that comes in gel, rub, and spray form. People use it for a variety of ailments from aches and pains to treating congestion and cramps.
You can apply it up to 4 times a day, and the company recommends rubbing it into your skin until completely absorbed, rather than allowing it to sit on top of your skin.
When used as directed, it’s unlikely to cause negative reactions or side effects, but some people may experience redness, itching, or tingling if they’re sensitive to the active ingredients. However, it’s generally considered safe for use for adults.
tiger balm uses
People swear by Tiger Balm’s benefits for pain relief for conditions such as arthritis, muscle pain, back spasms, headaches, abdominal pain, cramps, motion/seasickness, and joint/muscle strains.
However, due to the camphor, menthol, and other essential oils, people also use it for nasal and chest congestion as well as colds.
This means that the various Tiger Balm uses carry beyond pain relief and into a natural remedy for various ailments!
5 tiger balm benefits you’ll love
utilizes natural ingredients
Every formula is made using natural ingredients. Tiger Balm products are based on powerful herbal blends of medicinal plants that have been known for their curative effects.
The two active ingredients in their Ultra Strength formula (the one I tried) are camphor and menthol. Here’s a breakdown of what those ingredients do.
camphor
Camphor trees are grown commercially in China and Japan for their oil, which is used for medicinal purposes. Camphor oil is extracted by steam from the chipped wood, root stumps, and branches and is then rectified under vacuum and filter pressed.
This plant increases local blood flow and is a counterirritant, which reduces pain and swelling. It provides temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches and pains caused by strains, sprains, bruises, arthritis, and simple backaches.
menthol
Menthol is derived from mint plants. Essential oil is extracted from the leaves using steam distillation, then it’s frozen to convert it to ice crystals and then dried to produce menthol crystals.
A staple in every Tiger Balm U.S. product, menthol causes an initial sensation of coolness that is soon followed by a sensation of warmth. It helps temporarily relieve minor pains, including those caused by arthritis, backaches, bruising, cramps, muscle strains or sprains, and tendonitis.
other oils
Other oils include Cajuput Oil, Cassia Oil, Clove Oil, and Dementholized Mint Oil. They are not officially recognized by the FDA as “Active Ingredients” for topical pain relief. However, they are known herbs in the aromatherapy world. Blended together with the Active Ingredients (Menthol & Camphor), these give the formula its unique “Tiger Balm scent”.
stands the test of time
Tiger Balm has been around for a LONG time. So many people use it because of its timeliness and reliability.
My photographer who took these photos mentioned how she always used Tiger Balm growing up. She’d also hold a jar when traveling to help with motion sickness. It’s also very popular among athletes and martial artists.
With over 100 years of proven success in almost 100 countries, it’s no wonder people keep going back to this ointment.
To provide some backstory, Tiger Balm was created by Aw Chu Kin, a Chinese herbalist working in the Emperor’s court back in the late 1870s. He left China and set up a small medicine shop to sell his special ointment that relieved all kinds of aches and pains.
When Aw Chu Kin died in 1908, he left his business to his two sons who took the business to Singapore and successfully sold their ointment to surrounding countries. Since then, Tiger Balm has expanded to be one of the world’s best-known pain relieving formulas on the market.
low waste packaging
Aside from being a natural remedy for all sorts of ailments, it doesn’t come in plastic. The product is packaged in cardboard and the actual balm is in a glass jar. The lid is also metal.
There is a bit of plastic film wrapped around the lid, but this is just to protect the seal. You can recycle it with your local plastic film drop off center.
You can also easily recycle the cardboard, or rip it up and add it to your compost pile for some much needed carbon-rich browns.
When the glass bottle is empty, don’t recycle it right away. It’s easy to upcycle into something useful instead.
Some upcycling ideas using the empty Tiger Balm jar:
- DIY lip balm
- Lip scrub
- Earring holder
- Sewing pin holder
- Mini DIY candle
- Seed starter
- Seed storage
- Paper clip holder
- Staples holder
- Ring holder
- Condiment transport (ketchup, mustard, dip, etc)
- Mini succulent planters
- Spare change storage
easy to transport
I love how easy Tiger Balm is to take with me to the gym or dance rehearsals. Because it’s such a tiny glass jar, I can easily toss it into my dance or workout bag without a problem.
Because of its concentrated formula and minimal packaging, Tiger Balm is also easier to transport during the shipping process.
When a product is lighter, it reduces its weight, which reduces fuel and carbon emissions associated with shipping it.
Concentrated products also have less volume, thus reducing the number of trucks and boats needed to transport them. Fewer packaging materials are needed as well, which is evident from how little packaging there is on their products.
The packaging is minimal and easily stackable, which creates more room in the transportation trucks to pack more on one trip. This creates fewer carbon emissions which results in fewer greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.
efficient pain relief
Above all else, Tiger Balm provides efficient pain relief. I’ve only been using it once a day right before bed. This, combined with rest (I can hit the weights again starting mid-June), has me singing and dancing with ease.
When I use the Ultra Strength balm, I gently massage it into my shoulder for two to three minutes, and there’s a bit of a warming sensation. Some people also report a tingling sensation or even cooling sensation.
After a few minutes, I notice a decrease in the pain in my shoulder which allows me to freely move it — it has been a life saver for dance rehearsals.
My one tip would be to wash your hands very thoroughly after applying the Tiger Balm, and not to touch your face and eyes with any remnants on your hands.
Other than that, you can apply Tiger Balm 3 to 4 times daily if you’re over 12 years old.
You can use Ultra Strength Tiger Balm to find relief from:
- Joint and muscle strains
- Backaches
- Arthritis
- Stiff muscles
faqs
who should not use tiger balm?
Anyone under the age of 12 should consult with a physician before using any Tiger Balm products. It also contains an aspirin-like product (salicylate), so anyone under 18 who has the chickenpox or flu should stay away from the product as well to avoid any unpleasant interactions.
where can i get it?
You can order any formula directly from the Tiger Balm website. You can also purchase from many CVS stores or other drugstores. Just be aware that the available formulations may not be available in every store.
Would you give Tiger Balm a try? Or have you tried it already? Let me know in the comments!