Last updated: October 2026
No. Tiger Balm doesn’t contain CBD. We checked Tiger Balm’s UK website in October 2026: the Red and White ointments are licensed medicines made with camphor, menthol, cajuput oil and clove oil, and the UK range has no CBD, hemp or THC product. Balms sold as “CBD tiger balm” are made by other companies.
Below: what is in each Tiger Balm, the THC and “illegal” questions, and how a CBD balm differs. Evopure isn’t connected with Tiger Balm or its maker, Haw Par Healthcare.
Does Tiger Balm contain CBD?
No product in the UK Tiger Balm range lists CBD, hemp or any cannabinoid. This is what Tiger Balm’s UK site showed when we checked it in October 2026:
Comparing CBD oils as well as balms? Our best CBD oil for pain UK guide covers strengths, spectrum and lab reports, and what the research does and doesn’t show.
| Product | UK category | Ingredients listed |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Balm Red | Medicine | Camphor, menthol, cajuput oil, clove oil |
| Tiger Balm White | Medicine | Camphor, cajuput oil, menthol, clove oil |
| Neck and Shoulder Rub | Cosmetic | Camphor, menthol, dementholised mint oil |
| Muscle and Tension Lotion | Cosmetic | Lotion with a massage applicator; see pack |
Red vs White: Tiger Balm’s FAQ says the two share most ingredients, and Red has added cassia (cinnamon) oil, which gives its colour and can stain clothes. Tiger Balm recommends Red for muscular aches and White for tension headaches in adults. Both are made in Malaysia and Singapore for the UK.
Red and White are licensed medicines, which is why their packs can state what they are for. The NHS dictionary of medicines and devices lists Tiger Balm White as a licensed product applied to the skin.
Is there a Tiger Balm with CBD or THC?
No. Tiger Balm doesn’t sell a CBD or THC version in the UK. Balms sold online as “CBD tiger balm”, “weed tiger balm” or “cannabis tiger balm” are made by other companies, usually mixing CBD or hemp with camphor or menthol.
Why THC balms can’t be sold in the UK. The Home Office says THC and related cannabinols are Class B controlled drugs, and any CBD product that contains controlled cannabinoids is treated as a Class B drug too, unless it meets strict exemption rules. Pure CBD on its own isn’t controlled. So a balm marketed as containing THC is not a legal product to buy or sell here. See CBD vs THC and is CBD legal in the UK for the detail.
If you buy any CBD balm, check who makes it, the mg of CBD in the tin, and a batch lab report showing THC as not detected. See how to read a CBD lab report and broad vs full spectrum.
Don’t make your own by stirring CBD oil into Tiger Balm: you won’t know how much CBD you are applying.
Why do people say Tiger Balm is illegal?
We found no UK ban. Tiger Balm Red and White are licensed medicines, widely sold in UK pharmacies and shops. The “illegal” searches seem to come from a few mix-ups:
- Not every product is in the UK range. US label listings include products such as Ultra Strength ointment and patches. The UK range is the four products above, so a version bought abroad may not be licensed for the UK.
- Cannabis “tiger balms”. Balms with THC, sometimes called weed tiger balm, are illegal in the UK. They aren’t Tiger Balm products.
- The name. Tiger Balm says it contains no animal extracts: “Tiger” is a trademark that honours its founder, Aw Boon Haw.
CBD balm vs Tiger Balm: what’s different
| Tiger Balm Red or White | Evopure CBD Balm | |
|---|---|---|
| UK status | Licensed medicine | Cosmetic massage balm |
| Main ingredients | Camphor, menthol, cajuput, clove | 600mg broad spectrum CBD, peppermint, eucalyptus, juniper berry |
| Feel | Strong warming (Red) or cooling (White) | Cooling and fresh |
| Texture | Ointment | Non-greasy balm |
| Age | Over 2 years (Tiger Balm FAQ) | Adults only |
| THC | None | 0% THC |
How they feel. Camphor and menthol give Tiger Balm its strong heat or chill and medicinal smell. A CBD balm with mint and eucalyptus feels cool and smells fresher and more herbal.
How they are regulated. This is the biggest difference. Tiger Balm Red and White are licensed medicines. A CBD balm is a cosmetic, made and labelled under cosmetics rules, and can’t claim to treat any condition, which is why we describe ours by its ingredients and feel.
What the research says. Camphor and menthol are long-established ingredients in licensed rubs. For CBD on the skin, research is still early: there are few good human trials, and it’s unclear how much CBD gets beneath the skin. We cover the studies in CBD for skin and CBD for muscle recovery. If you want a medicine for a sprain or a joint problem, ask a pharmacist which licensed options suit you.
Our CBD Balm: ingredients and how to use it
Our CBD Balm, Muscle and Joint Support is a cosmetic massage balm. Its listed ingredients are:
- 600mg of broad spectrum CBD per tin, with 0% THC
- Peppermint for the first cooling feel, and eucalyptus to keep it fresh
- Juniper berry for an earthy note
- Plant oils as the base, which absorb without a greasy finish
It is vegan, made in the UK and third-party lab tested. Massage a coin-sized amount into the skin with firm circular movements until absorbed, up to three times a day. Many people like it after a warm shower or as a cool-down after training. Wash your hands afterwards and avoid your eyes. For more on routines, see our CBD balm guide and CBD for athletes.
Relief CBD Oil is an oil you take by mouth, made with broad spectrum CBD, turmeric and black pepper extract. Read about the spice in our turmeric guide and CBD and turmeric.
The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex combines magnesium bisglycinate and citrate. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function and to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue. See magnesium for cramps for what the research shows.
Some people use Tiger Balm and a CBD balm at different times. Don’t layer them on the same patch of skin at the same time.
Dragon balm and Eagle balm vs Tiger Balm
These are different brands, and formulas vary by product and country. From US label listings checked in October 2026:
- Dragon Pain Relieving Balm (Americanna Wellness, USA) lists camphor and menthol, with hemp among its other ingredients. It isn’t a Tiger Balm product.
- Eagle Brand Eagle Balm (PT Eagle Indo Pharma) lists camphor and menthol, with eucalyptus oil and methyl salicylate among its other ingredients.
Whichever you have, read your own pack: the same name can mean different ingredients. Evopure isn’t connected with any of these brands.
Safety and skin sensitivity
- Patch test any new balm on a small area first: both types contain strong plant oils.
- Avoid eyes, broken skin, sunburn, rashes and intimate areas, and wash your hands after use. Stop if you get redness, burning or a rash.
- Heat and bathing: Tiger Balm’s FAQ says avoid it 1 hour before or 30 minutes after a bath or shower. Don’t put heat pads or tight bandages over strong rubs.
- Fire risk: Tiger Balm warns that clothing and bedding with the ointment dried on them can catch fire easily, so keep away from naked flames.
- Children: Tiger Balm says Red and White can be used by children over 2, and its Neck and Shoulder Rub and lotion by over 12s. Keep all tins out of reach of children, and get medical advice if any is swallowed. Our products are for adults (18+) only.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tiger Balm doesn’t recommend its products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Medication: if you take any medicine, ask your pharmacist before using an oral CBD oil, and see can CBD interact with medication.
Not sure what is causing the ache? See joint pain, stiff neck and muscle knots for when to see a GP.
CBD balm softens in a warm room and firms up again when cool; our CBD storage guide covers balms, oils and capsules.
FAQs
Is there a Tiger Balm with CBD in it?
No. Tiger Balm doesn’t make a CBD product. Balms sold as “CBD tiger balm” are made by other brands, so check the CBD content and lab report.
Is CBD balm better than Tiger Balm?
They’re different kinds of product. Tiger Balm Red and White are licensed medicines; a CBD balm is a cosmetic massage balm, and research on CBD on the skin is still limited. Many people choose by scent and feel.
Can I use Tiger Balm and CBD balm together?
You can use them at different times, for example Tiger Balm before exercise and CBD balm afterwards, but don’t layer them on the same area.
What’s in Tiger Balm?
The main ingredients of Tiger Balm Red and White are camphor, menthol, cajuput oil and clove oil. Red also has cassia (cinnamon) oil.
Does CBD balm get into your bloodstream?
Very little, if any, reaches the bloodstream from a balm on intact skin, so it won’t make you high. A THC-free balm is also very unlikely to affect a drug test.
Is cannabis tiger balm legal in the UK?
Balms with THC are illegal in the UK. THC-free CBD balms are legal. Check the lab report shows THC as not detected.
Is Tiger Balm banned in the UK?
No. Tiger Balm Red and White are licensed medicines sold in UK pharmacies and shops. Some products from other countries’ ranges aren’t part of the UK range.
What’s the difference between Tiger Balm Red and White?
They share most ingredients. Red adds cassia oil for colour. Tiger Balm recommends Red for muscular aches and White for tension headaches in adults.
Sources
- Tiger Balm UK. UK product range, Red Ointment, White Ointment and FAQ (checked October 2026).
- NHS Business Services Authority. dm+d: Tiger Balm White ointment (checked October 2026).
- Home Office. Drug licensing factsheet: cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids.
- Food Standards Agency. Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance.
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Dragon Pain Relieving Balm label and Eagle Brand Eagle Balm label and Tiger Balm Ultra Strength (US) label (checked October 2026).
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Tiger Balm is a trademark of Haw Par Corporation. Evopure has no connection with Tiger Balm, Dragon balm or Eagle Brand.
