Tiger Balm: Your New Outdoor Essential
Ahhhh…… my favorite time of the year. When spring is finally turning into summer, which means more consistent, warmer, and sunnier days here in Colorado (not that we don’t get enough sun with ~300 days of sunshine/year).
Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or just someone who plans on taking full advantage of the much needed Vitamin D and plant pheromones, consider bringing a jar of Tiger Balm with you.
What Is Tiger Balm?
Tiger Balm is an amazing, multipurpose ointment you can buy at pretty much any pharmacy or grocery store. I’ve been using it ever since I can remember anyone in my family having muscle or back pain. It’s roots trace back to the 1870s China, where a Chinese herbalist working in the emperor’s court decided to set up his own shop and sell this new herbal pain relieving concoction that now has been used for over 100 years to relieve joint pain, muscle pain, and soreness.
The most common versions of Tiger Balm that you’ll see in the states, is the “extra” and the “ultra” strength versions, with the latter being the most intense due to higher concentrations of menthol and camphor. They are super affordable and can be bought in almost any pharmacy or supermarket for around $5-6.
Tiger Balm Extra: Camphor 11% Menthol 10%
Tiger Balm Ultra: Camphor 11% Menthol 11%
The main differences in ingredients of the two versions, is that Tiger Balm Extra has cassia oil, which adds to its color, and warming sensation while Tiger Balm Ultra has 1% more menthol. Unfortunately, the exact amount of the other ingredients were not available but below is a list of their properties and how they act to produce the well-known soothing effects of this balm:
Camphor Oil
- numbs nerve endings; acts as mild analgesic; increases blood flow
Menthol
- creates a cooling sensation by activating certain neural receptors
Cajuput Oil
- creates warm sensation and acts as counterirritant to reduce pain
Dementholised Mint
- an extracted form of menthol that is 26% menthone and should help increase skin absorption
Clove Oil
- a natural analgesic
Cassia (cinnamon) Oil
- Increases circulation, penetration of skin, and warms
Hard Paraffin/Soft Paraffin
- For consistency
As you can tell from the ingredients, both formulas are quite similar and rely on plant-derived essential oils for the majority of the pain relief. However, what some of you readers may or may not know is that all of the oils used to make Tiger Balm have additional properties that make this pain-relief rub my must-have when I go hiking, camping, bike riding, kayaking, and picnicking.
So I made a list of common situations that you may run into the next time you’re outdoors and how the ingredients in Tiger Balm can come to the rescue for each one!
Tiger Balm to the Rescue!
Mosquito Repellant/Bug Bite Soother
Clove oil and cassia (cinnamon) oil (Tiger Balm Ultra) are major deterrents for mosquitoes specifically. Combined with menthol,which also act as deterrents, this little pot can act as both a muscle pain reliever for your aching knees after a 7 mile hike and make an itchy unbearable trip, easy.
What I do: I usually pop one into my hiking backpack or purse and rub a bit on the spots that mosquitos manage to get exposed easily (ex. Between pants and socks, on the back of the neck my shoulders, wrists, or lower back). If I manage to forget to put some on before my first bite reminds me:) I can just as easily put a bit on to calm the incessant need to itch.
Headaches
Clove oil, camphor oil, menthol are all amazing for relieving headaches.
What I do: Whether it’s the “time of the month” or the time of the year (aka. Seasonal allergies) headaches are a common occurrence in my life. If I ever find myself in a situation where taking an NSAID isn’t enough, I use Tiger Balm. I just rub a bit on the outside of my temples and under my nose. The cooling sensation combined with the refreshing scent is usually enough to at least reduce any unneeded tension.
Stomach Pain/Bloating
Menthol and cassia (cinnamon) oil are both soothing, and penetrating while clove oil and camphor oil aid with gas and bloating.
What I do: Sometimes camping food doesn’t sit well; or maybe that black bean burger didn’t go down so easily… well if I don’t have anything else near me, I’ll take a bit of the Tiger Balm and rub it on my belly to help dissipate any unwanted side effects (I’m sure you know how beans work). If you’re pregnant, just check with your doctor first.
Nausea/Vomiting
Menthol, cinnamon oil, and clove oil are great for reducing nausea.
What I do: Just open the cap and breathe in the vapor and ahhhhh….. So soothing and so comforting! I’ve personally used this when getting car sick as well, and it really helps ground me in my breath. Which means no need to clean up vomit from my car- yay!
Last Thoughts
If some of you are either deterred by the paraffin in the over-the-counter product or interested in creating/customizing your own version 🙂 You’re in luck! I’ll be posting a natural beeswax tried-and-true recipe of my own soon, so stay tuned!