Tiger balm - what do we know?

I've injured my ankle. I think it's superficial (I'm hoping so) but it is quite painful and has been for a few weeks.

I was using ibuprofen gel, until recently when I started to suspect it was making thinks worse (my foot got increasingly sore where I'd put the gel).

Then yesterday, I switched to tiger balm red, highly rated as a more eastern remedy.

I find it is about as close as it gets to magic. You rub it on an injured ankle, and suddenly there is no pain and the ankle moves freely. The effect seems to last for several hours too, and I've noticed that even when it has worn off, my ankle still feels substantially better than it did before I started using the tiger balm.

Nothing on the website or leaflet makes any claim of healing. It just says it's to soothe aches and pains, but then if it's not regulated as a medicine, they wouldn't be allowed to make any healing claims.

So what do we know? Anyone else used it? Does it speed the healing process or does it just ease symptoms? or could that amount to the same thing?

Oh, and while I know everyone here is intelligent, just for the avoidance of doubt (because I've seen some pretty intense 'discussions' about it elsewhere on't web), there are no tigers in tiger balm. It's entirely herbal.

 

I've found it very good for headaches and withdrawing from drugs

Yes, there are no Tigers in it, but isn't a Balm some sort of dangerous animal? Or did I dream that?

 

when it comes to herbal stuff, I do trust oriental remedies in general.

 

http://keypharmaceuticals.com.au/products/tiger_balm_red_white_and_oil.php

 

You have knee pain and ankle pain - do you have problems with circulation?

Tiger balm is very effective for mild pain relief. It is not a remedy that has magic hands manipulating bits and pieces back into place. Use tiger balm to relieve the symptoms but address the issue so that you don't need the balm.

 

No circulation problems.

 

Like Ziggy said, works for headaches/hangover induced headaches.

 

On Sunday I injured my ankle when cycling, and I rubbed in some Tiger Balm.
The Tiger Balm took the pain away,but the itch through the night was worse than the pain.
I had to get up and bathe the cream off..
I read on the Jar what the ingredients were.

It contains Cajuput,Camphor, Levomenthol,Dementholised Mint,Cinnamon,Clove Oil, Yellow soft
paraffin, and Hard paraffin.

The big question is, which ingredient gave me the itch?.. .

 

If it's tiger balm red, it also contains winter green oil, which contains salicylic acid, as found in the bark of willow family. Aspirin is this stuff synthesized. It's very, very potent, but it's present in tiny measures so as to be relatively safe. But some people are known to react with it with itching and inflammation.

With any topical medicine, you should really always test a bit to see if you're sensitive to it before putting loads on.

 

I've used tiger balm in the past to treat headaches. Once i applied it to my forehead and within a couple of minutes my forehead started getting really hot and that lasted for about 5 to 10 minutes and then the headache was completely gone. Every now and then i get aches and pains in certain areas on my back and i normally apply the balm to treat the pain and it does a good job. I will say however that it is strong smelling stuff lol.

 

That's it for me then, Last thing I need is all the local tigers coming round to rub themselves on my legs.
Have enough problem with the moggy population.

 

Tiger Balm , not heard of that for many a year , it was the trendy cure all in the 1970's. When I was at grammar school in the 60's Witch Hazel was the thing . Rub it on before rugger or what ever else was the ailment . " Sir , Smith Minor has been run over by a bulldozer" . Answer Witch Hazel . Also treated unplanned pregnancies and std's