Tiger balm is an essential part of Chinese medicine for treating minor injuries. The health benefits of this beneficial ointment are numerous. It can be used on the temples for headaches and migraines or to relieve muscle pain (aches, contractures, etc.) or joint pain (rheumatism, tendinitis, osteoarthritis, sprains, etc.). In case of cough or blocked nose (cold, etc.), this ointment will soothe the respiratory tract. And in summer, it is ideal for calming itching and inflammation linked to insect bites. However, it is difficult to find tiger balms that are authentic and natural (rather than stuffed with paraffin and other products far removed from the original remedy). So, the solution might be to make one yourself! Here is the natural recipe for very effective homemade tiger balm.
The ingredients:
-15 g of beeswax
-60 g coconut oil (unrefined, cold pressed)
-10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
-10 drops of peppermint essential oil
-5 drops of clove essential oil
-1 tablespoon crushed sage, wintergreen, willow or cenelle
Glass or metal pot
Now for the recipe for homemade tiger balm:
1) Put the wax and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Melt what is in the pan in a bain-marie.
2) Increase heat to medium heat and melt without ever stopping mixing to prevent it from burning.
3) When everything has melted, remove the pan from the heat.
4) Add the essential oils and mix carefully. Then let it cool for a few minutes.
5) Meanwhile, bring 1 liter of water to the boil and add a tablespoon of the chosen plant (sage, willow, cenelle or wintergreen). Then let it reduce by half and filter everything to remove the leaves.
6) Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of this infusion to your wax.
7) Heat everything in a bain-marie for a few minutes. Stir.
8) Pour everything into your container. Store your homemade tiger balm in a cool, dry place. This will allow it to cool and harden.
Instead of massaging it, this product is to rub until creating a pleasant sensation of warmth. This will make it even more effective.
What are the best uses for this homemade tiger balm recipe?
As explained in the introduction, tiger balm is an ointment generally applied to painful muscles and joints. Rubbing a small amount onto the affected area will help to relieve muscle pain, tension and aches thanks to its active ingredients which provide a feeling of warmth and freshness.
This balm is also very effective in relieving headaches. By applying it to the temples and forehead, it can alleviate pain with its soothing properties. For nasal congestion, tiger balm can also be inhaled. Furthermore, by rubbing it on the nose and chest, it facilitates breathing by clearing the airways.
Additionally, the balm can be applied to insect bites to reduce itching and inflammation. Some people also use it to soothe minor skin irritations.
With these uses, we can bet that your tiger balm will become a valuable ally in your care kit.
Precautions for using this tiger balm recipe
When using it, it is important to observe certain precautions. In particular, avoid applying it to open wounds, mucous membranes or sensitive areas such as the face, as this can cause irritation. Furthermore, do not use it on young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people sensitive to essential oils. Finally, also perform a patch test on a small area of skin to check for possible allergies to the ingredients.
After this soothing friction, perhaps you will have felt such relief that you will feel the energy to concoct a homemade Vicks Vaporub or even your own Cold cream to calm the inflammation of your irritated skin?