Last updated: October 2026
Tiger Balm and CBD balm work differently. Tiger Balm is a licensed medicine that uses camphor and menthol to create warming and cooling sensations. A CBD balm combines cannabidiol with plant oils and botanicals, but evidence for CBD on the skin is still limited. There’s no official Tiger Balm with CBD; “CBD tiger balms” are made by other brands.
This guide compares ingredients, how each works, the evidence, skin safety and when to use which.
Is there a Tiger Balm with CBD?
No. Tiger Balm is made by Haw Par Healthcare, and its range doesn’t include a CBD product. Balms sold online as “CBD tiger balm” or “cannabis tiger balm” are made by other companies, usually combining CBD with camphor, menthol or other cooling oils in a Tiger Balm style. If you buy one, check who makes it, the amount of CBD in mg, and a batch lab report showing no THC.
You also shouldn’t mix your own: rubbing CBD oil into Tiger Balm won’t give you a reliable dose and may irritate the skin.
Ingredients compared
Tiger Balm
- Menthol and camphor, the active ingredients, which create cooling and warming sensations
- Clove and cajuput oils from the original formula
- A paraffin-based ointment in the classic Red and White versions
- No cannabinoids
Evopure Muscle and Joint Support CBD Balm
- 600mg of broad spectrum CBD per tin, with 0% THC
- Peppermint, eucalyptus and juniper essential oils for a cooling, fresh feel
- Plant oils as the base, absorbing without a greasy residue
- Vegan, made in the UK, and tested batch by batch
Benefits and uses
Tiger Balm is a licensed over-the-counter medicine for the temporary relief of muscle aches and pains. Camphor and menthol act as “counter-irritants”: the warming and cooling sensations distract from discomfort, and camphor increases local blood flow. Its strong smell and heat make it popular before activity or for tight, cold muscles.
A CBD balm is a cosmetic product, so it can’t legally claim to treat pain. People use it as a massage balm after exercise or on stiff areas, and many like it as a gentler, fresher-smelling option. The massage itself helps too.
Side-by-side comparison
| Tiger Balm | Evopure CBD Balm | |
|---|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Camphor, menthol, clove, cajuput | 600mg broad spectrum CBD, peppermint, eucalyptus, juniper |
| UK status | Licensed medicine for muscle aches | Cosmetic massage balm |
| Feel | Strong heat (Red) or cooling (White) | Cooling and fresh |
| Scent | Strong, medicinal | Herbal, minty |
| Texture | Ointment | Fast-absorbing, non-greasy |
| Evidence | Established counter-irritant ingredients | Limited human evidence for topical CBD |
| Age | Adults and children 12 and over | Adults |
| THC | None | 0% THC |
What the evidence says
Camphor and menthol are long-established ingredients in licensed rubs for muscle aches. For CBD applied to the skin, research is still early: skin contains cannabinoid receptors, and lab and animal studies suggest topical CBD may calm inflammation, but there are few good human trials, and it’s unclear how much CBD gets beneath the skin. If you need a proven option for a sprain or arthritis, a pharmacist can recommend licensed treatments such as anti-inflammatory gels.
Read more: CBD balm for muscle pain, CBD vs ibuprofen for recovery and magnesium for cramps.
Safety and skin sensitivity
- Patch test any new balm on a small area first; both contain strong essential oils.
- Avoid eyes, broken or irritated skin, and intimate areas, and wash your hands after use.
- Don’t use heat pads or tight bandages over Tiger Balm, which can increase the risk of burns.
- Tiger Balm isn’t suitable for children under 12; camphor is toxic if swallowed, so keep tins away from children.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: check with a pharmacist before using either.
- Stop if you get redness, burning or a rash.
When to use which
| Situation | Choose |
|---|---|
| Aching muscles and you want a licensed medicine | Tiger Balm |
| Warming up stiff, cold muscles | Tiger Balm Red |
| A daily massage balm after exercise | CBD balm |
| You dislike strong medicinal smells | CBD balm |
| Sensitive skin | Patch test both; choose the one you tolerate |
Some people use both: Tiger Balm before activity and a CBD balm as part of a cool-down massage. Don’t layer them on the same area at the same time. See how to use CBD balm.
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. Tiger Balm is a licensed medicine for muscle aches; a CBD balm is a cosmetic massage balm with limited evidence. Many people prefer CBD balm’s gentler 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 active ingredients are camphor and menthol, with clove and cajuput oils, in an ointment base.
Does CBD balm get into your bloodstream?
Very little, if any, reaches the bloodstream from a balm on intact skin, so it won’t affect a drug test or make you high.
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.
Sources
- Tiger Balm UK. Products overview and about us.
- Home Office. Drug licensing factsheet: cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Tiger Balm is a trademark of Haw Par Corporation; Evopure has no connection with Tiger Balm.
