Tiger balm and other topical pain relief

I get almost instant relief from Tiger Balm ointment - the one in the little red tin. After all it is designed to help myalgia or muscle pain.

Sometimes we forget the simplest, easiest treatments and just reach for another painkiller or even heavier drug.

Tiger Balm is made from mint oil, camphor, clove bud oil, cassia oil, cajuput oil and no tigers, though it originally did have tiger bone as an ingredient when it was first made in the 1870's. These oils are in a paraffin and petroleum jelly base. (Not sure if that is good or not but it absorbs into the skin pretty quickly.)

I have no connection to this company!

Do you get relief from this or any other topical analgesic?

Here is more info about Tiger Balm and similar topical pain relief products that are widely used for muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, and minor arthritis pain. Here's an overview of how they work, what they're made of, and what alternatives or similar products exist.

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🐯 What is Tiger Balm?

Tiger Balm is a topical ointment originally developed in the 1870s in China and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It comes in red and white versions, which differ slightly in ingredients and intensity.

🔹 Common Ingredients:

• Camphor – Provides a cooling sensation and increases blood flow.

• Menthol – Causes a cooling effect and helps reduce discomfort.

• Cajeput Oil – Mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Clove Oil – Known for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Cassia Oil (in red version) – Adds warmth; can help with deeper muscle aches.

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✅ Uses

• Muscle aches and strains

• Joint pain

• Headaches (applied to temples)

• Back pain

• Minor arthritis discomfort

• Nasal congestion (by inhaling the menthol/camphor vapors)

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⚠️ Warnings and Considerations

• Do not apply to broken or irritated skin

• Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes

• Not recommended for children under 2

• Can cause a burning sensation if overused

• Use sparingly on sensitive skin

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🧴 Alternatives to Tiger Balm

Here are other popular topical pain relievers with similar or different mechanisms:

Product	Active Ingredients	Cooling/Warming	Key Notes
Icy Hot	Menthol, Methyl Salicylate	Cooling then warming	Common for sports injuries
Biofreeze	Menthol	Cooling	Less greasy, popular with physical therapists
Voltaren Gel	Diclofenac (NSAID)	Neutral	Targets inflammation, effective for arthritis
Salonpas Patches	Lidocaine, Methyl Salicylate	Cooling/warming	Long-lasting patch option
Blue Emu	Emu oil, Menthol	Mild cooling	Focuses on natural anti-inflammatory action

🤔 When to Use What?

• Muscle soreness after workouts → Biofreeze or Tiger Balm White

• Arthritis → Voltaren Gel or Salonpas

• Tension headaches → Tiger Balm applied to temples

• Chronic joint pain → Rotating between NSAID (Voltaren) and menthol-based product

• Sensitive skin → Look for lidocaine or fragrance-free options

Have you used any of these products and which did you like?