The Wonder of Tiger Balm

Photo by Robbie1.

I first came across Tiger Balm a few years ago when holidaying in Thailand. I purchased the white version. I never used it while I was there but I wish I had as it would have stopped the itching of all the mosquito bites I had!

I haven’t stopped using it since I came back though. It has so many uses – a lot more than it says on the pot. I carry it with me everywhere.

There are two varieties of Tiger Balm available – white and red. Each has the same ingredients but the amount of each differs. The red version also contains Cassia. Tiger Balm Red is the original product and is better for stronger pain. Tiger Balm White is a gentler product but is still very effective.

Tiger Balm White has the following ingredients: - 8% menthol, 11% camphor, 16% dementholised mint oil, 13% cajuput, and 1.5% clove bud. Tiger Balm Red has the following ingredients: 10% menthol, 11% camphor, 6% dementholised mint oil, 7% cajuput, 5% clove bud, and 5% cassia. Some of these oils are used in aromatherapy.

Let’s look at these oils individually.

Menthol. It reduces itching giving relief from insect bites and stings. It is an analgesic so it can be used to relieve minor aches and pains such as muscle cramps, sprains, headaches and similar conditions. It is a decongestant helping with colds, coughs, respiratory problems and sinus conditions.

Mint. Because of its antiseptic and expectorant properties, it is beneficial in the treatment of colds and flu, insect bites and stings, asthma, and other respiratory problems. It is ideal for treating headaches, relieving nausea, motion sickness, and dizzy spells. It is an antispasmodic making it useful for cramps, muscle spasms, and tension.

Cajuput. Like the menthol and mint, cajuput oil cools down the body and helps with infections and fever. It is also a decongestant and an antiseptic helping with respiratory conditions. Not only can it give relief from itchy insect bites but it can also be used to ward off insects. It is helpful in skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Due to its analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-neuralgic properties, in can be useful in treating muscular aches and pains, gout, muscle spasms, cramp, headaches, period pain, joint pain, sciatica, neuralgia, arthritis, and rheumatism.

Clove Bud. Clove bud oil has very similar properties to the oils already mentioned. It is an analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-neuralgic and an insect repellent. It can also be used for acne, bruises, burns and cuts, and keeping infections at bay. It helps lift depression, improve memory, and helps lethargy. It is excellent for toothache – massage the outside of your jaw with some clove oil or tiger balm to ease the pain.

Cassia (also known as false Cinnamon). It is very beneficial for arthritis, rheumatism and other muscle and joint aches and pains. It can also help with fever, coughs and colds, and other respiratory problems. Cassia is found in the Tiger Balm Red.

When these essential oils are combined in Tiger Balm (or if you blended them yourself) they create a synergistic blend enhancing their properties especially the ones which are common to all the oils, for example, decongestant and analgesic.

Tiger Balm is for external use only and should not to be taken orally. Avoid contact with the eyes. It should not to be used on children under 2 years of age.

Tiger Balm contains no animal products and is not tested on animals. So no it DOESN’T contain Tiger!

So as you can see, Tiger Balm can help with a wide range of ailments from insect bites, to headaches, colds and flu to muscular aches and pains.

For further information on Tiger Balm, visit the official
UK Tiger Balm website.

Essential Oil Of The Week: Tea Tree

Botanical Name: Melaleuca Alternifolia

Aroma Type: Herbaceous

Note: Top

Tea Tree is another popular and well known essential oil which nowadays appears in many shampoos, conditioners, spot treatments, lip salves, cleansers, mouth rinses, antiseptic lotions, toothpastes, and bath oils.

Tea tree was named by Captain Cook’s crew, who brewed the small dark leaves and drank it as a tea substitute. The Aborigines first used it for its healing properties. During World War II, Australian soldiers were issued with Tea Tree oil in their first aid boxes as they recognised its powerful germicidal and antiseptic effects.

Its main properties are antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, cicatrisant (promotes the healing of a wound), expectorant, fungicidal, insecticidal, stimulant and sudorific (increases perspiration).

Tea Tree can help with the following conditions: fungal infections, thrush, athlete’s foot, colds / flu, cuts, burns, blisters, cold sores, nappy rash, insect bites, breathing problems, bunions, chickenpox, chilblains, dandruff, insect repellent, measles, cystitis, sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, muscular aches & pains, boosts immune system, boils, warts, verrucae, bacterial & viral infections, catarrh, coughs, ringworm, PMT, anxiety, depression, and stress.

Like Lavender, Tea Tree oil can be used neat on the skin - apply one or two drops directly to spots, cuts, insect bites, stings, cold sores etc. If you or someone you live or work with has a cold, to combat the spread of airborne germs place 4-6 drops of Tea Tree oil in to some water in an oil burner. If you suffer with athlete’s foot, Tea Tree is a must – it is an efficient way of getting rid of it without having to use heavy chemical products.

I recently scalded my hand and was in quite a lot of pain with it. I placed a few drops of Tea Tree directly on to the affected area and I also placed a few drops in a bowl of cold water which I kept plunging my hand in to. It really eased the pain and stopped the throbbing and burning feeling.

Tea Tree blends well with frankincense, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, pine, chamomile, geranium, mandarin, marjoram, and peppermint.

Although Tea Tree oil is non-toxic and a non-irritant, it may cause some skin irritation to people with very sensitive skin. It is also advisable to avoid long-term continual use of the oil.

Essential Oil Of The Week: Lavender

Photo by M@rg.

Choosing the right essential oils to use at home can be difficult - particularly with the wide range of essential oils available today. Each week, I will choose an essential oil that I find particularly useful outlining what it’s good for, how you can use it, what oils it blends well with, any safety precautions and any interesting facts about how the oil has been used historically. For the first Essential Oil of the week, I have chosen Lavender – my favourite of all the essential oils.

Botanical Name: Lavendula officinalis

Aroma Type: Floral

Note: Middle

Safety first! It should be used with caution if you suffer with low blood pressure as it can cause drowsiness so take it easy when you get off the massage couch. Those who suffer with hay fever or asthma may find that they may be sensitive to Lavender. Unlike the other essential oils, Lavender can be used neat directly on to the skin.

Lavender was used by the ancient Romans and Greeks to perfume bath water and was also burned as an incense to honour their deities. It has long been used to speed up the healing process. Since the 18th century it has been widely used in perfumes, soap, talc and pot-pourri.

Lavender is a very versatile oil with a wide range of therapeutic properties and can help with many physical and emotional conditions. Its main properties are calming, soothing, balancing, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue (induces menstruation), hypotensive, nervine, and sedative.

Lavender can be used for the following conditions: burns, muscular aches and pains, headaches, fatigue, tension, irritability, depression, insect bites, anxiety, arthritis, athlete’s foot, bruises, chicken pox, poor circulation, colds, cramps, cuts, dandruff, hangover, cold sores, indigestion, insomnia, jetlag, measles, menopause, perspiration, PMT, rheumatism, stress, sunburn, thrush, fungal infections, migraine, cystitis, sprains, strains, rheumatism, bronchitis, earache, ringworm, high blood pressure, lack of / irregular periods, period pain, colic, asthma, diarrhoea, and flatulence. It also boosts the immune system. What a list!

It is an excellent first aid oil and I take mine everywhere with me. I use it on my temples and forehead when I’m feeling stressed, anxious or have a headache, I dab it on spots, insect bites, burns and cuts as soon as they occur, and it is excellent for helping you get to sleep. Just add a couple drops to a tissue and place on your pillow before going to sleep.

Lavender blends well with many other essential oils but my personal favourites to mix it with are patchouli, rosemary, ylang ylang, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, lemon, peppermint, and tea tree.

Lavender can pretty much be bought anywhere as is probably the most popular and well known essential oil. Most chemists, health food shops, and supermarkets sell it and it is one of the cheaper oils. If you had to buy just one oil, make it Lavender!