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What is Analgesic Balm?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

Analgesic balm is a first aid product that functions as a topical painkiller. It is usually used to treat sore muscles and minor aches and pains in the body. There are a number of companies that sell this product, which comes in a number of forms from medicinal to all natural. It can typically be found in drug stores as well as in health food stores and stores that specialize in natural personal care products. The balm is a very viscous substance that is rubbed into the skin where it is absorbed and becomes active as a painkiller.

There are many uses for analgesic balm. It is commonly used by athletes to help ease the pain that comes from sore muscles and injuries. It can also help to ease the pain that comes with the overuse of a muscle or a group of muscles in a specific area of the body. It is also used by people who have chronic pain. While analgesic balm can work well to offer temporary relief from pain, it is important to report severe or recurring pain to a health care professional. For minor and sporadic pain, however, balm often works quite well.

Analgesic balm relieves pain.
Analgesic balm relieves pain.

There are two kinds of analgesic balms that have been widely used in the East for decades that are now becoming popular in the West. The first is tiger balm, which is made with menthol, camphor, dementholised mint oil, cajuput oil, clove bud oil, and cassia oil. These ingredients are mixed into a viscous base that creates the analgesic balm. The product can be rubbed over sore areas of the body where it creates a warm sensation that can help to ease the pain. This product is now sold in patches as well as in its balm form so that the product can be easily distributed onto the area with a single application.

White flower oil balm is used to ease pain on the temples and forehead.
White flower oil balm is used to ease pain on the temples and forehead.

Pak Fah Yeow or "white flower oil" is also a product that has been used in the East for years and is now becoming popular in the West. Like tiger balm it is made with camphor and menthol. It also includes oils of wintergreen, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender. This kind of analgesic balm also comes in the form of a liquid that can be rubbed on the muscles to ease body pain or on the temples and forehead to ease headaches.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

discographer

Do analgesic balms have negative side effects? Can they cause allergies?

I strained my wrist while lifting weights. One of the guys at the gym gave me an analgesic balm to apply. I'm not sure what was in it, but it did smell like menthol.

Anyway, after about five minutes, the area where I applied it became red, bumpy and itched like crazy. I washed it off then and it went away.

I guess I'm allergic? Are there any analgesic balms without menthol in it? What's the best analgesic balm for people with sensitive skin?

burcidi

@turkay1-- I know what you mean!

Aches and pains don't have to be from overuse or injury. I get aches and pains when I'm stressed. It's like the pressure builds up around my neck area and I get a stiff neck and migraine when I'm upset.

I was complaining about this to my doctor. He suggested breathing exercises for the stress and told me to use analgesic topical cream for the aches and pains.

I've never heard of tiger balm ointment before. I just get a pain relieving topical cream with menthol from the pharmacy. I really like menthol. Along with reducing the pain and relieving tension, it has an aromatherapy effect. Massaging the forehead with it does wonders for migraines.

candyquilt

Analgesic balms have become a staple in our medicine cabinet in the last few years. I suffered an injury to the tendons in my right foot several years ago. I've been having chronic pain in that foot ever since. The pain gets a lot worse on some days after I walk around too much. Analgesic balm has become my savior. I gently massage the area with the balm and the relief is instant.

My mom has also been using analgesic balms lately. I bought her tiger balm last week because I heard so many good things about camphor. So far she loves it! She has carpal tunnel syndrome in her hands, so she uses the balm on her hands daily. I know tiger balm is an arthritis rub, but it seems to work for overexerted muscles too.

I haven't tried White Flower oil yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it. I think an analgesic balm in oil form might be better for massaging my foot.

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    • Analgesic balm relieves pain.
      By: Sensay
      Analgesic balm relieves pain.
    • White flower oil balm is used to ease pain on the temples and forehead.
      By: slasnyi
      White flower oil balm is used to ease pain on the temples and forehead.
    • Some analgesics are designed to be sprayed onto sore or injured areas.
      By: Nikki Zalewski
      Some analgesics are designed to be sprayed onto sore or injured areas.
    • An analgesic balm may be used to reduce the pain and itching associated with cold sores.
      By: Artyom Yefimov
      An analgesic balm may be used to reduce the pain and itching associated with cold sores.
    • Analgesic balm may be used to ease headaches.
      By: JackF
      Analgesic balm may be used to ease headaches.