Muscular pains, inflammation of the joints, colds , migraines . Why not try the tiger balm, or its French version bio, with analgesic and soothing effects?

The "Tiger Balm", an imperial ointment revisited

In 1870 in Burma, the Chinese herbalist Aw Chu Kin, developed an ointment inspired by ancient formulas devised in the fifteenth century to relieve the pain of Chinese emperors. In 1926 his two sons, Aw Boon Haw (who means sweet tiger) and Haw Boon Par (sweet leopard), immigrants to Singapore, resumed production, which they named Tiger Balm.

Since then, Asian families have used it to soothe rheumatism , muscular tension, colds, migraines ... But it is banned in France because of its high rate of camphor (25%). "To adapt to French standards and avoid possible skin reactions, the Singapore company has created a lighter formula (11% camphor), distributed exclusively by the company Cosmédiet. Not to be confused with counterfeit quality questionable from Thailand or Maghreb countries, "says Jean-Pierre Lachenau, pharmacist herbalist.

White or red, different benefits

Like the ancestral version, this new ointment, from the Chinese pharmacopoeia, comes in two forms. "The white tiger balm is effective against migraines, colds, flu , sinusitis, nasal congestion. Applied on the chest or back, it clears the airways. In case of insect bites , it has an immediate calming effect.

The red tiger balm soothes sore muscles and joints, relieves torticollis, tendinopathies , tennis elbow, lumbar weaknesses. It is also suitable for athletes to warm up their muscles before intensive training or after to relax them ", continues JP Lachenau.

In addition to the 11% camphor , these two balms contain menthol in different proportions, essential oils of cajeput, clove and mint. Eucalyptus oil is used in the composition of the white balm, while for the red, we add the oil of Chinese cinnamon which gives it its color. Only downside: to fix these two ointments, we use paraffin, a petroleum derivative.

No massage, but friction

"You should not equate the tiger balm with a cream that would be penetrated by massage. We take a hazelnut that is heated between his fingers. The body part is rubbed very quickly to be treated with the edge of the hand. As soon as you feel a little heat, you stop and let the balm act. The analgesic effect is very fast, "adds JP Lachenau.

It is used only externally, never on the mucous membranes, around the eyes or on damaged skin, and you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Titans' Balm, a French and organic Tiger balm

Anxious to offer a 100% French balm, the effectiveness of which would be comparable to the ancestral version without the side effects, Bertrand Bimont, expert in traditional Chinese medicine, created in his laboratory two drums Titans Balsam.

He explains: "The white as the red consist of an oily macerate of arnica, essential oils of cajeput, rosemary with camphor, clove, peppermint and eucalyptus. The red has more cinnamon that warms the muscles. Camphor and HE do not exceed 4% and paraffin is replaced by organic vaseline. These ointments meet Ecocert ecological and organic cosmetic standards. In the glass jar, we preferred a presentation in stick (to rub); which avoids residues under the fingernails.

Precautions: all these balms are not recommended for pregnant women and children under 6 years because of essential oils. Note that the tiger balm is incompatible with a homeopathic treatment because the camphor would cancel the effects. Which is not the case for the balm of the titans.

Where to find the Tiger Balm?

The tiger balm is sold in pharmacies and herbalists.

The balm of titans in pharmacies, organic stores and on the site laboratoiresbimont.fr