Tiger Balm Effectiveness?

[opr1945101]

I was discussing my lower back issues in another thread,

Thread 'Dit Da Jow'

Nov 25, 2025

I recently first learned of Dit Da Jow. Seems like a pandora box of versions. With wildly varying claims.


"Dit Da Jow refers to a category of herbal liniments for martial arts training, focusing on supporting the recovery of injury and relief of pain of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. There are many different "recipes" of dit da jow using varying combinations of herbs, created by herbalists and martial arts masters."

I have come across many practitioners stating their Sensi has their own secret version handed down family lineage for centuries.

So what is your...

• opr1945
• Replies: 101
• Forum: General Martial Arts Talk

And this is sort of related. When I researching Dit Da Jow for my back issues of course I came across Tiger Balm. Do I figured no harm, and it was cheap.

It arrived about an hour ago and my wife applied it to my lower back. I took a nap and when i woke up most of my back pain was gone. Frankly, I wasn't expecting much. I am pleasantly surprised. Next is to see how long it works. Just my experience, may be worth what you paid for it.

 

[Tony Dismukes103]

FYI, Tiger Balm is pretty much equivalent to Ben-Gay, Icy-Hot, and other such products. It works fine for the purpose, but it’s a bit more expensive than the alternatives.

 

[Flying Crane]

FYI, Tiger Balm is pretty much equivalent to Ben-Gay, Icy-Hot, and other such products. It works fine for the purpose, but it’s a bit more expensive than the alternatives.

In my experience, the benefits of all of these products is temporary and typically is effective only for pain from things like over-worked muscles. They provide minor relief from minor pain, which goes away on its one before long anyways. These things do not work to heal injuries.

 

[opr1945101]

Actually I have been using Icy Hot and Ben Gay for several months. They gave me some relief, but not like this. Maybe its the power of suggestions-expectations? At this point pain is greatly reduced. I'll take it. LOL

Thanks for contributing to thread.

 

[philwhite33]

You are brave if you can get over the smell. I mean its not bad, just really strong.

 

[opr1945101]

Well initial application gave relief for about 6 hours. Can't complain about that, it was great.

Unforeseen consequences: After my wife applied Tiger balm to my back, he applied a small amount to her lips like lip balm. Turns out she really likes it so she requisitioned it and told me to buy more for myself.

So, am going to do some comparison shopping between local prices and on line prices. Has anyone compared prices themselves?

 

[Prince_Alarming103]

It's good to do rehab and prehab stuff other than just using tiger balm to relieve the pain though. For instance, there's SMR. A bit of foam rolling and tennis ball rubbing before a workout works wonders.

 

[opr1945101]

Since my wife requisitioned my Tiger Balm She put Ben Gay on my lower back. it did a yeoman's job. Better than it has done the recent past. Going to a big box store later to see what they have. Life goes on....

 

[Simfers103]

It's weird how your body will react to different versions of ostensibly very similar things. I've tried Ben Guay, Antiphlogistine, Myoflex, Icy Hot, something called Deep Relief I had to put in the fridge before applying it (was not a fan of that), and the ONLY thing that's done me any good is Flex-O-Flex.

I even tried Voltaren, the analgesic ointment that's apparently so strong that, until recently, you couldn't just get it on the shelves in Quebec (where I live, hi), you had to talk to the pharmacist who had to basically run a background check on you before they'd sell you some from their stash behind the counter (no prescription needed, at least)...

It did nothing. It had a pleasant smell? Maybe? The pain remained unabated.

Flex-O-Flex, though? Pain gone with the quickness.

Maybe it's the capsaicin it contains? However it works, it WORKS.

Do make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, especially if you have the need to scratch any... sensitive areas.

Ask me how I know.

 

[Prince_Alarming103]

Then there's the advice I was given when I was helping build drystone walls- have a long, hot bath. I'm a big believer in baths.

 

[opr1945101]

I

Do make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, especially if you have the need to scratch any... sensitive areas.

Ask me how I know.

I had a similar incident. Put some pain killer cream, don't remember exact brand. after I was on my way to the bathroom sink to wash my hands when I stopped at the commode to get rid of some liquid before I washed my hands. Bad sequence of actions occurred. Never repeated that again. Different country same event. Small world.

 

[Fungus94]

FYI, Tiger Balm is pretty much equivalent to Ben-Gay, Icy-Hot, and other such products. It works fine for the purpose, but it’s a bit more expensive than the alternatives.

I have played with many of them, but although the brands ben-gay and icy-hot arent in my local market, I do not think they containt capsaicin?

capsaicin is from chilipepper and does really gives at least the sensation of local heat, this is in red tiger balm, but not in white.

I find that white tiger balm has not benefit except it's refreshing odour. Red tiger balm does give effects in microcirculation and heatin. I like it, but i overused it and got rash, its also quite irritant.

One thing to avoid or try, depending on whay you want: rub yourself with red tigerbalm, and then enter a hot tub - then your skin is on fire! Capsaicin sensitizes your thermal pain receptors, so the hot bath feels like fire. Have fun!

I am a big fan of spicy hot hot pepper based food as well.

 

[Gyakuto103]

Don’t get it on your scrotum…someone told me

 

[opr1945101]

My accidental contact was not on scrotum or leg, but what remains in the neighborhood.

 

[Tony Dismukes103]

I have played with many of them, but although the brands ben-gay and icy-hot arent in my local market, I do not think they containt capsaicin?

capsaicin is from chilipepper and does really gives at least the sensation of local heat, this is in red tiger balm, but not in white.

I find that white tiger balm has not benefit except it's refreshing odour. Red tiger balm does give effects in microcirculation and heatin. I like it, but i overused it and got rash, its also quite irritant.

One thing to avoid or try, depending on whay you want: rub yourself with red tigerbalm, and then enter a hot tub - then your skin is on fire! Capsaicin sensitizes your thermal pain receptors, so the hot bath feels like fire. Have fun!

I am a big fan of spicy hot hot pepper based food as well.

Ben Gay and Icy Hot do not contain capsaicin. They have menthol, camphor, and methyl salicylate. For a cream with capsaicin, I use Zostrix, which is pretty effective.

For all of these, I find a huge factor in the effectiveness to be how open my pores are, which is primarily a matter of how physically warm I am. If I put Ben Gay or Icy Hot or Zostrix or Tiger Balm on my back while I’m cold, I can barely feel any effect. If I put them on after a hot bath with my pores fully open, then it feels like I’m on fire and even trying to wash it off with a cold shower barely helps. There’s a sweet spot where my pores are open just enough to let some of the active ingredient in and make me feel better without making me feel like I’m being burned alive.

 

[Wing Woo Gar37]

Then there's the advice I was given when I was helping build drystone walls- have a long, hot bath. I'm a big believer in baths.

Add a CBD bath bomb to the tub! Greasy, you will need a shower after the bath, but wow it really helped.

 

[Wing Woo Gar37]

Don’t get it on your scrotum…someone told me

Well then why even use it? I put Cinnamon essential oil in a bath once…only once. DONT DO THAT! You can burn your bippy in a way you didn’t know was possible without actual fire.

 

[Wing Woo Gar37]

To any of you may have a tattoo addiction, numbing creams are a bad plan. Earn the tattoo as was intended by the universe. They make the skin rubbery and difficult to tattoo. They actually make the pain worse after a short time. The best way is to be well hydrated, well rested, and have a heavy meal just before hand. Avoid foods that may make you gassy, the tattooist is a sensitive and volatile animal that requires gentle handling.

 

[Gyakuto103]

Well then why even use it? I put Cinnamon essential oil in a bath once…only once. DONT DO THAT! You can burn your bippy in a way you didn’t know was possible without actual fire.

I was helped siphon petrol out of his motorbike and he got the stuff on the crotch of his jean. He made Michael Flattly’s dancing look distinctly amateurish!

 

[Gyakuto103]

To any of you may have a tattoo addiction, numbing creams are a bad plan. Earn the tattoo as was intended by the universe.

I have diagnosed myself (ahem) with allodynia. It’s much worse over my back and post-training sore muscles! Tattooing would be hell on earth for me and I’d rather save that for when ai actually arrive at the fiery pit of doom.

They make the skin rubbery and difficult to tattoo.

Things like Emla cream?

They actually make the pain worse after a short time. The best way is to be well hydrated, well rested, and have a heavy meal just before hand. Avoid foods that may make you gassy, the tattooist is a sensitive and volatile animal that requires gentle handling.

The best way is to avoid tattooing at all
‘You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.’ Leviticus 19:28