We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.Here’s our process.

万金油是a brand-name topical medication used to alleviate pain. Its primary ingredients includecamphorand menthol, which help relieve muscle and joint discomfort while providing a cooling sensation.

Tiger Balm itself has been around for over a century. Its current offerings in the United States include topical creams and gels. The company makesfour formulas:

  • Classic
  • Balance
  • Junior
  • Active

There are also subsets of these formulas intended for different body parts and issues.

While Tiger Balm isn’t intended to cure any type of chronic pain-related disease, some research does support the efficacy of its key ingredients.

Talk to your doctor before using Tiger Balm, especially if you’re already using other prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) products to manage pain.

万金油是legal in the United States. It’s widely available in drugstores, health stores, and online. Still, Tiger Balm isnot approved or regulatedby the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While Tiger Balm is marketed as a natural remedy, it’s still important to remember that it’s technically a topical medication.

只使用产品指示。看医生if your symptoms don’t improve after one week of use.

To use Tiger Balm, apply the product to the part of your body where you’re experiencing pain.

If you’re using it for colds and congestion, the balm may be applied to your chest and forehead.

To enhance its effects, the companyrecommendsmassaging the product into your skin until it’s fully absorbed rather than just applying it and letting it sit on top of your skin.

You can repeat the application and massaging processup to four times per day, according to the company. You’ll also want to avoid bathing immediately before or after use.

If your skin reacts to Tiger Balm and stays red or irritated, stop using it.

万金油是touted as a multipurpose product that may be used for a wide range of issues, especially pain. Here are 18 potential uses:

  1. Toenail fungus:The active ingredient camphormay treatthis type of fungal infection. However, this study was done using Vicks VapoRub, not Tiger Balm.
  2. Back pain:The active ingredientscamphor and mentholmay help soothe this type of pain.
  3. Common colds:Mentholmay alleviatecold symptoms.
  4. Congestion:A combination of menthol andeucalyptusmay clear up congestion.
  5. Flu-related symptoms:Menthol and eucalyptus may help aches associated with the flu.
  6. Headaches:Menthol may provide relief. The addition of eucalyptus can also have pain-relieving effects.
  7. Non-arthriticjoint pain:Menthol and camphor may help treat this type of pain when it’s related to exercise and other activities.
  8. Minorburns:Camphor and menthol may cool and soothe them.
  9. Mosquito bites:Menthol may treat and repel these bug bites (but using a physical repellant, like bed nets, alongside menthol is best).
  10. Neuropathy:Capsicummay alleviateneuropathic symptoms.
  11. Muscle aches and strains:Menthol can provide relief .
  12. Osteoarthritispain:Capsicum and mentholmay alleviatethis type of pain.
  13. Poor blood circulation:The key ingredient camphormay improveblood circulation.
  14. Rheumatoid arthritispain:Menthol as well as anti-inflammatory ingredients like cassia and capsicum may reduce this type of pain.
  15. Shoulder and neck pain:Topical menthol gel may helpprovide relieffrom this type of pain.
  16. Stomachaches:Some people claim menthol and camphor help treat stomachaches when applied to the abdomen, but research is needed.
  17. Stretch marks:Proponents of Tiger Balm say its blood flow and cooling effects can improve stretch marks, but research is need
  18. Toothaches:Some claim the menthol and clove and cajuput oils can soothe toothaches when applied along the jawline, but research is lacking.

If you’ve researched Tiger Balm, you may have come across “white” and “red” formulas.

The main difference is thatTiger Balm Whitehas menthol and methyl salicylate.Tiger Balm Redhas menthol and camphor.

Some formulas, such as万金油肌肉按摩, have all three ingredients. Your choice depends on what issues you’re trying to treat.

万金油是touted as a topicalnatural pain-reliefmethod. This is often safer over the long run compared to long-term use of OTC or prescription pain relievers.

The way these products work is based on their combination of ingredients:

  • Camphorhas both cooling and warming effects on the skin and also increases blood circulation . It may also treattoenail fungus.
  • Menthol or methyl salicylate are made from mint extracts. They’re common anesthetics and work by constricting muscles to help decrease muscular and joint pain. This ingredient may alsohelp aidcolds and congestion when inhaled.
  • Cinnamomum cassiaoilprovides anti-inflammatory effects. It may soothe arthritis and other inflammatory pain.
  • Eucalyptuscan also help treat coughs and colds.
  • Capsicum mayhelp reduceinflammation and pain in a variety of chronic conditions, such as arthritis and neuropathy.

All Tiger Balm products have either camphor or a form of menthol, but the other ingredients may vary.

When used as directed, Tiger Balm is unlikely to cause side effects. In some cases, it may cause:

  • redness
  • itchiness
  • stinging or burning sensations
  • skin irritation
  • breathing difficulties (when applied on chest for congestion)

It’s a good idea to do apatch testbefore applying Tiger Balm to a large area of the body.

To do this, apply Tiger Balm to the inside of your elbow. Wait a couple of days to see if you have any adverse reaction. If this isn’t the case, you’re likely safe to use Tiger Balm for pain on other parts of your body.

Signs of an allergic reaction can include redness, swelling, and itchyhives.

Anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, can cause breathing difficulties and facial swelling. Seek emergency medical care if you experience any symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Medical emergency

If you or someone else has anaphylaxis, call 911 or go to an emergency room.

万金油是considered safe for adults when used as directed.

Don’t take it orally. Don’t apply the product to irritated, sunburned, and chapped skin. The menthol can cause further irritation. Also avoid placing Tiger Balm in your eyes, mouth, and any open wounds.

万金油是n’t intended for the inside of the ears or in the groin.

Don’t cover the application area with heat pads, cold packs, or bandages.

While no drug interactions have been identified so far, still check with a doctor before you try Tiger Balm if you take any herbs, vitamins, or medications.

Avoid using Tiger Balm alongside other products containing similar ingredients, such as Icy-Hot or Bio-Freeze.

You can buy Tiger Balm fromits official websiteas well as many drugstores and natural health stores. You can also check out these products availableonline.

万金油是an OTC remedy that can help alleviate pain.

It’s not an oral remedy, so never take Tiger Balm by mouth. Talk to your doctor before use. Be sure to follow up with them if you have any side effects.