What Are the Active Ingredients in Tiger Balm?
Tiger Balm is a topical ointment that contains:
- camphor;
- menthol;
- cajuput oil;
- cassia oil;
- dementholized mint oil;
- clove oil.
When applied to the skin, it can produce a warming and cooling sensation at the same time. This is thanks to camphor and menthol, the main soothing ingredients in the ointment. The other ingredients have pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory properties. Together, all these ingredients can help relieve muscle aches, pain, and stiffness.
So you’re wondering, “Can I use Tiger Balm while pregnant?”. Let’s take a look at what the research says.
Are There Any Studies on the Topic?
There isn’t a lot of research on the safety of using Tiger Balm during pregnancy. Most of the available research is on animals, not humans. For this reason, the manufacturer doesn’t recommend using Tiger Balm during pregnancy. They would have to conduct a controlled study on pregnant women and their babies to be able to endorse it.
There are some studies about the effects of ingesting camphor and clove oil on humans. They can be toxic, and there has been a case of a miscarriage after the mother ingested camphor oil. But Tiger Balm is a topical ointment, so you’re not going to be ingesting any of the ingredients. Because their amounts are low and they’re unlikely to be absorbed through the skin, they’re not likely to reach the fetus.
Can I Use Tiger Balm While Pregnant?
Taking the above into account, you may wonder “Can I use Tiger Balm while pregnant?”. The majority of OB-GYNs say that it’s safe to use Tiger Balm during pregnancy. You’re only putting it on your skin, so there’s no risk of it being ingested. And your skin won’t absorb much of the ingredients, so they’re not likely to reach the fetus. The effect is superficial and can help relieve your muscle pain.
However, because there isn’t enough research on the topic, they can’t say for sure that it’s completely safe. If you’re worried, you can always ask a doctor before using Tiger Balm or any other medication during pregnancy.
The Bottom Line
Tiger Balm may be a safe and effective way to relieve muscle pain during pregnancy. Researchers aren’t sure because there haven’t been enough studies on the topic. If you’re worried, ask your doctor before using it. If they give you an okay, enjoy the soothing sensation of Tiger Balm!
If you have any other questions similar to “Can I use Tiger Balm while pregnant?”, feel free to ask them in the comments below! We’ll do our best to answer them, although we can’t give medical advice.
Similar Posts:
- Is It OK to Use Icy Hot While Pregnant? Topical Pain Relief During Pregnancy
- Can I Use Biofreeze While Pregnant? Pain Relief During Pregnancy
- Can You Use Hydrocortisone Cream While Pregnant? Safety & How to Use
- Can I Use Orajel While Pregnant? Pregnancy-Safe Toothache Recommendations
- How to Get a Splinter Out of a Toddler’s Foot – First Aid
