Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesHow It WorksHow to UsePrecautionsForms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
How It Works
How to Use
Precautions
Forms
Tiger Balm is a topical over-the-counter pain reliever. It is often used to relieve back pain,joint pain, stiffness, sprains, andarthritis pain. It is applied to the area that is in pain and absorbed through your skin. You can buy it as a cream, gel, or liquid.
This article discusses the over-the-counter topical pain reliever Tiger Balm, how it works, and how to use it. It also looks at the ingredients and potential side effects of this medication.
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Tiger Balm Uses
Tiger balm is used to relieve both deep and superficial pain. It is also sometimes also used to treat other conditions. Some of its most common uses include:
Can I use Tiger Balm for a toothache?No. Tiger Balm should only be used as a topical treatment. However, clove oil, one of the ingredients in Tiger Balm, is used as a pain reliever for toothaches.
Can I use Tiger Balm for a toothache?
No. Tiger Balm should only be used as a topical treatment. However, clove oil, one of the ingredients in Tiger Balm, is used as a pain reliever for toothaches.
How Tiger Balm Works
The active components of Tiger Balm come from plants. They are blended with paraffin oil.
Menthol,eucalyptus, and oil of wintergreen are believed to relieve pain with a cooling sensation that distracts you from the pain.Such products are called counterirritants and offer temporary pain relief.
These are the active ingredients used in various combinations in Tiger Balm products:
These ingredients are considered inactive, but they may still have some benefits for relieving pain:
How to Use Tiger Balm
Tiger Balm is only used topically, on the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water before use. You should apply Tiger Balm to the part of your body where you are experiencing pain. Massage the product into your skin until it is fully absorbed. Wash your hands after use.
Tiger Balm is usedPRN(meaning as needed), so you can reapply when your pain comes back.You can reapply up to four times a day. It should relieve your pain within 10 to 20 minutes.
You can use Tiger Balm even if you use oral over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers. However, check with your healthcare provider if you plan to use it along with another topical pain reliever because the combination may irritate your skin.
Precautions and Side Effects
Test the product on a small area of skin to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation before you apply it widely. Skin irritation can cause pain, redness, or, rarely, bleeding of the affected area. If you experience redness or irritation while using Tiger Balm, discontinue use.
Tiger Balm may also cause an allergic reaction with a skin rash, swelling of the skin or throat, or breathing difficulties.
Avoid bathing just before or after using the medication, and don’t wrap the treated area tightly after application. You should also avoid activities that increase your body temperature, such as vigorous exercise.
Avoid using this product if you are allergic to aspirin, salicylates, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Tiger Balm Products
Tiger Balm is available in different formulations. Each formulation contains the same or slightly different ingredients in varying amounts and can be used for different purposes, depending on the location and type of pain.
Tiger Balm formulations include:
Why is Tiger Balm not FDA approved?
Summary
Tiger Balm is a topical pain reliever. There’s some evidence that its ingredients may ease pain or reduce inflammation. It’s possible that the product’s cooling effect distracts users from the pain of muscle aches, tension headaches, or joint pain.
To use Tiger Balm, rub it into the skin in the area where you feel stiffness or pain. Be careful not to get it in your eyes, mouth, or other sensitive areas, and don’t use it on open sores or wounds.
A Word From Verywell
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are using Tiger Balm or any other non-prescription oral or topical medications. They can interact with prescription medications and cause side effects.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Antonelli M, Donelli D, Valussi M.Efficacy, safety and tolerability of Tiger Balm® ointments: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of prevalence.J Pharm Pharmacogn Res. 2020;8(1):1-7.Topp R, Solem K, Etnoyer-Slaski J, Bishop B.Topical menthol gel versus a placebo gel on postmanipulation pain and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.J Perform Health Res. 2017;1(2):40-7. doi:10.25036/jphr.2017.1.2.topp.2Mirel S, Colobățiu L, Mirel M, Pop S.Topical patches as treatments for the management of patient musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.Balneo Res J. 2017;8(1):21-25. doi:10.12680/balneo.2017.137Pangarkar N.Investing in durable assets to achieve superior performance: Restoring Tiger Balm’s roar.Glob Bus Organ Excell.2016;35(2):6-17. doi:10.1002/joe.21651Pickett, Mallory.What’s Inside Tiger Balm? Hint: Not Actual Tigers.Kotaka T, Kimura S, Kashiwayanagi M, Iwamoto J.Camphor induces cold and warm sensations with increases in skin and muscle blood flow in human.Biol Pharm Bull. 2014;37(12):1913-8.Amato A, Liotta R, Mulè F.Effects of menthol on circular smooth muscle of human colon: analysis of the mechanism of action.Eur J Pharmacol. 2014;740:295-301.PubChem.Methyl salicylate.Fattori V, Hohmann MS, Rossaneis AC, Pinho-Ribeiro FA, Verri WA.Capsaicin: Current understanding of its mechanisms and therapy of pain and other pre-clinical and clinical uses.Molecules. 2016;21(7):844. doi:10.3390/molecules21070844Pannee C, Chandhanee I, Wacharee L.Antiinflammatory effects of essential oil from the leaves of Cinnamomum cassia and cinnamaldehyde on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774A.1 cells.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2014;5(4):164-70.Tiger Balm. Tigerbalm.comHaw C, Wolstencroft L.A study of the prescription and administration of sedative PRN medication to older adults at a secure hospital.Int Psychogeriatr. 2014;26(6):943-51.National Library of Medicine.Tiger Balm Ultra Strength - camphor (synthetic) and menthol ointment.Tiger Balm.Frequently asked questions about tiger balm uses.Additional ReadingJohnson CR, Porter SG, Coats D, et al.No camphor toxicity in Cambodian Infants.Glob Pediatr Health. 2017;4:2333794X17702980. doi:10.1177/2333794X17702980.Tiger Balm UK.History of Tiger Balm.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Antonelli M, Donelli D, Valussi M.Efficacy, safety and tolerability of Tiger Balm® ointments: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of prevalence.J Pharm Pharmacogn Res. 2020;8(1):1-7.Topp R, Solem K, Etnoyer-Slaski J, Bishop B.Topical menthol gel versus a placebo gel on postmanipulation pain and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.J Perform Health Res. 2017;1(2):40-7. doi:10.25036/jphr.2017.1.2.topp.2Mirel S, Colobățiu L, Mirel M, Pop S.Topical patches as treatments for the management of patient musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.Balneo Res J. 2017;8(1):21-25. doi:10.12680/balneo.2017.137Pangarkar N.Investing in durable assets to achieve superior performance: Restoring Tiger Balm’s roar.Glob Bus Organ Excell.2016;35(2):6-17. doi:10.1002/joe.21651Pickett, Mallory.What’s Inside Tiger Balm? Hint: Not Actual Tigers.Kotaka T, Kimura S, Kashiwayanagi M, Iwamoto J.Camphor induces cold and warm sensations with increases in skin and muscle blood flow in human.Biol Pharm Bull. 2014;37(12):1913-8.Amato A, Liotta R, Mulè F.Effects of menthol on circular smooth muscle of human colon: analysis of the mechanism of action.Eur J Pharmacol. 2014;740:295-301.PubChem.Methyl salicylate.Fattori V, Hohmann MS, Rossaneis AC, Pinho-Ribeiro FA, Verri WA.Capsaicin: Current understanding of its mechanisms and therapy of pain and other pre-clinical and clinical uses.Molecules. 2016;21(7):844. doi:10.3390/molecules21070844Pannee C, Chandhanee I, Wacharee L.Antiinflammatory effects of essential oil from the leaves of Cinnamomum cassia and cinnamaldehyde on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774A.1 cells.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2014;5(4):164-70.Tiger Balm. Tigerbalm.comHaw C, Wolstencroft L.A study of the prescription and administration of sedative PRN medication to older adults at a secure hospital.Int Psychogeriatr. 2014;26(6):943-51.National Library of Medicine.Tiger Balm Ultra Strength - camphor (synthetic) and menthol ointment.Tiger Balm.Frequently asked questions about tiger balm uses.Additional ReadingJohnson CR, Porter SG, Coats D, et al.No camphor toxicity in Cambodian Infants.Glob Pediatr Health. 2017;4:2333794X17702980. doi:10.1177/2333794X17702980.Tiger Balm UK.History of Tiger Balm.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Antonelli M, Donelli D, Valussi M.Efficacy, safety and tolerability of Tiger Balm® ointments: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of prevalence.J Pharm Pharmacogn Res. 2020;8(1):1-7.Topp R, Solem K, Etnoyer-Slaski J, Bishop B.Topical menthol gel versus a placebo gel on postmanipulation pain and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.J Perform Health Res. 2017;1(2):40-7. doi:10.25036/jphr.2017.1.2.topp.2Mirel S, Colobățiu L, Mirel M, Pop S.Topical patches as treatments for the management of patient musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.Balneo Res J. 2017;8(1):21-25. doi:10.12680/balneo.2017.137Pangarkar N.Investing in durable assets to achieve superior performance: Restoring Tiger Balm’s roar.Glob Bus Organ Excell.2016;35(2):6-17. doi:10.1002/joe.21651Pickett, Mallory.What’s Inside Tiger Balm? Hint: Not Actual Tigers.Kotaka T, Kimura S, Kashiwayanagi M, Iwamoto J.Camphor induces cold and warm sensations with increases in skin and muscle blood flow in human.Biol Pharm Bull. 2014;37(12):1913-8.Amato A, Liotta R, Mulè F.Effects of menthol on circular smooth muscle of human colon: analysis of the mechanism of action.Eur J Pharmacol. 2014;740:295-301.PubChem.Methyl salicylate.Fattori V, Hohmann MS, Rossaneis AC, Pinho-Ribeiro FA, Verri WA.Capsaicin: Current understanding of its mechanisms and therapy of pain and other pre-clinical and clinical uses.Molecules. 2016;21(7):844. doi:10.3390/molecules21070844Pannee C, Chandhanee I, Wacharee L.Antiinflammatory effects of essential oil from the leaves of Cinnamomum cassia and cinnamaldehyde on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774A.1 cells.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2014;5(4):164-70.Tiger Balm. Tigerbalm.comHaw C, Wolstencroft L.A study of the prescription and administration of sedative PRN medication to older adults at a secure hospital.Int Psychogeriatr. 2014;26(6):943-51.National Library of Medicine.Tiger Balm Ultra Strength - camphor (synthetic) and menthol ointment.Tiger Balm.Frequently asked questions about tiger balm uses.
Antonelli M, Donelli D, Valussi M.Efficacy, safety and tolerability of Tiger Balm® ointments: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of prevalence.J Pharm Pharmacogn Res. 2020;8(1):1-7.
Topp R, Solem K, Etnoyer-Slaski J, Bishop B.Topical menthol gel versus a placebo gel on postmanipulation pain and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.J Perform Health Res. 2017;1(2):40-7. doi:10.25036/jphr.2017.1.2.topp.2
Mirel S, Colobățiu L, Mirel M, Pop S.Topical patches as treatments for the management of patient musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.Balneo Res J. 2017;8(1):21-25. doi:10.12680/balneo.2017.137
Pangarkar N.Investing in durable assets to achieve superior performance: Restoring Tiger Balm’s roar.Glob Bus Organ Excell.2016;35(2):6-17. doi:10.1002/joe.21651
Pickett, Mallory.What’s Inside Tiger Balm? Hint: Not Actual Tigers.
Kotaka T, Kimura S, Kashiwayanagi M, Iwamoto J.Camphor induces cold and warm sensations with increases in skin and muscle blood flow in human.Biol Pharm Bull. 2014;37(12):1913-8.
Amato A, Liotta R, Mulè F.Effects of menthol on circular smooth muscle of human colon: analysis of the mechanism of action.Eur J Pharmacol. 2014;740:295-301.
PubChem.Methyl salicylate.
Fattori V, Hohmann MS, Rossaneis AC, Pinho-Ribeiro FA, Verri WA.Capsaicin: Current understanding of its mechanisms and therapy of pain and other pre-clinical and clinical uses.Molecules. 2016;21(7):844. doi:10.3390/molecules21070844
Pannee C, Chandhanee I, Wacharee L.Antiinflammatory effects of essential oil from the leaves of Cinnamomum cassia and cinnamaldehyde on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774A.1 cells.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2014;5(4):164-70.
Tiger Balm. Tigerbalm.com
Haw C, Wolstencroft L.A study of the prescription and administration of sedative PRN medication to older adults at a secure hospital.Int Psychogeriatr. 2014;26(6):943-51.
National Library of Medicine.Tiger Balm Ultra Strength - camphor (synthetic) and menthol ointment.
Tiger Balm.Frequently asked questions about tiger balm uses.
Johnson CR, Porter SG, Coats D, et al.No camphor toxicity in Cambodian Infants.Glob Pediatr Health. 2017;4:2333794X17702980. doi:10.1177/2333794X17702980.Tiger Balm UK.History of Tiger Balm.
Johnson CR, Porter SG, Coats D, et al.No camphor toxicity in Cambodian Infants.Glob Pediatr Health. 2017;4:2333794X17702980. doi:10.1177/2333794X17702980.
Tiger Balm UK.History of Tiger Balm.
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