Tiger Balm: Century-Old Chinese Herbal Medication for Aches and Pains

Tiger Balm is a topical Chinese herbal preparation used to reduce muscle aches and pains. Tiger Balm ointment has been in existence for nearly 100 years and used in as many countries. Manufactured by Haw Par Healthcare Limited in Singapore, Tiger Balm offers a variety of pain-reducing products including Original Ointment, Neck and Shoulder Rub, Back Pain Patch, Refresher (for stuffy nose) and Plaster Warm, which aides in stimulating blood circulation.

I discovered Tiger Balm while working for a health food store back in the '90s. I worked in the kitchen, and my duties included stocking inventory, feeding around 200 people per day and maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen. Needless to say, I engaged in a great deal of physical labor and frequently had sore muscles and back pain.

There are three types of Original Tiger Balm Ointment: White, Red and Soft. My first encounter was with Tiger Balm White. It has a somewhat strong smell; however, it is not offensive. It has the scent of camphor and peppermint. When you apply it to your skin, it initially feels cool, than begins to warm up.

I've used Tiger Balm White to relieve muscle aches and joint stiffness. I've also applied a small amount to my temples and forehead to relieve headaches. When using Tiger Balm on the face, you must be cautious to keep it away from your eyes. A little goes a long way and in this instance, more is not better. Use a very small amount and be certain to wash your hands thoroughly after applying.

Tiger Balm Red is a warm ointment that deeply penetrates muscles. When I have a backache, I reach for the Red formula. The warmth of Red works it way into tense muscles and helps to relieve tension. Additionally, if I feel a migraine headache coming my way, the Red formula effectively zaps the headache before it gets out of control. The secret is to catch it before it gets too severe. Even then, Tiger Balm Red has helped alleviate even the worst migraine.