If you've been to a yoga retreat with international students coming from Asia you probably have seen those little bottles of Tiger Balm. So much so that they have become pretty popular in the west.
Thing with them is that they are a potion, which you grab with your fingers and you spread in the area of pain (for muscle and joint pain or strain). The smell is pleasant but strong, and it lingers. And you do not want to touch your eyes with the same finger you applied the potion with. It is a messy enterprise.
Then, one day James got me the "patches". That changed the whole story. For me at least, they work like charm. The fingers do not get involved and you can leave it on the area of pain for the whole day.
On days where my neck was acting up or my arms I would just put one of these, avoid all messes and feel relief almost immediately.
Without the mess. Nice.
I am not endorsing it nor should you use them before consulting a professional.
In my new found fascination with Chinese Medicine approaches I found a variety of patches on the market as well. All fascinating stuff.
Do you guys use this? or any other patches?
Thing with them is that they are a potion, which you grab with your fingers and you spread in the area of pain (for muscle and joint pain or strain). The smell is pleasant but strong, and it lingers. And you do not want to touch your eyes with the same finger you applied the potion with. It is a messy enterprise.
Then, one day James got me the "patches". That changed the whole story. For me at least, they work like charm. The fingers do not get involved and you can leave it on the area of pain for the whole day.
On days where my neck was acting up or my arms I would just put one of these, avoid all messes and feel relief almost immediately.
I am not endorsing it nor should you use them before consulting a professional.
In my new found fascination with Chinese Medicine approaches I found a variety of patches on the market as well. All fascinating stuff.
Do you guys use this? or any other patches?
I've only used warming patches. I don't think they do anything more than generate heat. I like them but cold seems to suit me better so I mostly use ice power gel. Also messy and smelly but works well, at least for muscle cramps.
ReplyDeleteHM, ice power gel. I had not heard of that one! every day I learn something new! thanks for sharing that meandmyyoga
ReplyDeleteHello Claudia,
ReplyDeletevery interesting that you should post about Tiger Balm. It's actually originally made in Singapore (it's one of the very few things that the island actually makes :-)). I remember using it for bruises and stuff as a kid. But you're right, it does have a very distinctive (though, in my opinion, not unpleasant) smell. This is not politically correct, but I used to associate the smell with old people, mainly because many older folks used it for relief of joint pain.
We had a big pot of that, my parents brought it back from Singapore with me ( I was born there), think it lasted at least till I left home at Sixteen. just checked the prices of the patches, really expensive. I'm happy for Tiger balm that they're still going but that one pot lasted forever, think I'll get another and just put up with the smell. not that i would ever need it logically you understand.
ReplyDeleteNobel, I think the smell is actually very pleasant. Interesting how you grew up with it. I love the stuff.
ReplyDeleteQuentin, OK
Grimmly, I understand. How funny that you also grew up with it and that it lasted so long. I am using it mostly as I recover and it is helpful as well! Enjoy the memories
You were born in Singapore, Grimmly? Interesting. Now why do I keep bumping into people who have something or other to do with Singapore all the time, even though I'm supposed to be half a world away from it? :-)
ReplyDeleteHi! Another ex Singaporean here! . Claudia, I love the stuff , especially the patches, I always stock up on them when I pass through Singapore Airport ( there are great stands of them in every variation, thick patches, thin patches, red tiger balm , white tiger balm). Must be my old age or something, but some thing always aches a little, so linament is my best friend. "Amrutanjan" from India is pretty fab too!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG, Tiger Balm is the bomb! I love how it heats up the achy muscle area and soothes. My grandmother used those patches too (hence Nobel's association of the smell with old folks) and in Singapore there are a number of brands that sell those medicinal patches, like Salonpas (from Malaysia).
ReplyDeleteWe use Voltaren gel and another anti-inflammatory cream that I got from my chiropractor, but reading your post has reminded me that it might be time to replenish my supply of Tiger Balm hehe.
curious about the chinese medicine. has it brought you all the way back or little by little so far? very glad that things are going in the direction.
ReplyDeleteMin, you too? This post should've been called the Singapour connection! goodness! Whenever I get to that airport for whatever reason I will do the same. And as per amrutanjan, thanks for telling me about it, do they sell it in any pharmacy? I am curious now
ReplyDeleteSavasanaA Voltaren gel ha? had not heard of that one... I agree on the "da-bomb"
Anon, it continues to bring me back, feel better every day progressively, recovering mostly me-thnks from antibiotics side effects
My acupuncturist said that Tiger Balm used to be made with something that came from tigers, but not any longer. I haven't tried it yet but I might now. Thanks Claudia!
ReplyDeleteHm, interesting
ReplyDeleteClaudia: "Amrutanjan" , i bought from a little Indian grocer in Sydney and also in Delhi,
ReplyDeleteYou will find it if you google it, but I am sure some little Indian grocery shop near you will have it!!
Keep getting well!
Hola,
ReplyDeleteI'm a yoga practitioner and journalist from Singapore (hence the fact finding inclinations)
check out these sites on Tiger Balm (wiki) and Aw Boon Haw the founding father http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Balm.....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aw_Boon_Haw...the last character of his name Haw means tiger in Chinese.
So there may be very little tiger in the balm..it could be 1950s branding (yes they did have branding even then)
by the way it's great for mosquito bites too .
shanti
Min, Amrutanjan, hard to remember will probably have to refer to this post next in India, will try!
ReplyDeleteLin Hola. Good to know about the mosquito bites, and the history, thanks for that info! :-)
Almost everyone in my family use pain patch to help get rid of pain. But we are using a different brand, the one which my parents and grandparents have been using for years. I might try this one to compare which one is better. :D
ReplyDelete- online yoga community