Tiger Balm
Tiger Balm is a topical analgesic ointment renowned for providing temporary relief from minor muscle and joint aches, pains, and stiffness, formulated with active ingredients camphor and menthol alongside herbal oils such as cajuput, clove, and dementholized mint oil.[1][2] Manufactured by Haw Par Healthcare Ltd. in Singapore under license from Haw Par Corporation Ltd., it is available in various strengths and formats, including red and white variants, and is applied externally to affected areas for a warming or cooling sensation that promotes blood flow and soothes discomfort.[1][3] The origins of Tiger Balm trace back to the late 19th century in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar), where Chinese herbalist Aw Chu Kin established the Eng Aun Tong apothecary and developed an ancient Chinese recipe for a multi-purpose balm known initially as "Ban Kim Ewe" or "Ten Thousand Golden Oils."[4] After Aw Chu Kin's death in 1908, his sons, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, refined the formula in their mother's kitchen and rebranded it as Tiger Balm in 1909, drawing on the tiger symbol to signify strength and efficacy.[4] By 1926, the brothers had relocated production to Singapore, establishing a larger factory that became central to the product's global expansion, and in 1969, their family enterprises were consolidated into Haw Par Brothers International Limited, later renamed Haw Par Corporation Limited in 1997.[4] Tiger Balm's efficacy stems from its herbal composition, with the red variant typically containing 11% camphor and 10% menthol as active ingredients for a warming effect, while the white variant features 11% camphor and 8% menthol for a cooling sensation, both supported by inactive components like paraffin petrolatum for smooth application.[1][5] It is indicated for conditions such as arthritis, simple backache, bruises, strains, sprains, and general muscle soreness, but users are advised to avoid application on broken skin, sensitive areas, or near the eyes, and to consult a physician if symptoms persist beyond seven days.[1] Over the decades, Tiger Balm has evolved into a household name for natural pain relief, distributed worldwide and often used by athletes for pre- and post-workout recovery.[3]Background
Product Overview
Tiger Balm is a topical analgesic ointment manufactured by Haw Par Healthcare Limited, a Singapore-based company, and is primarily used for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches, pains, strains, sprains, and arthritis through a combination of warming and cooling sensations that promote blood flow and soothe discomfort.[6][7][8] The product is a semi-solid balm with a greasy, petroleum jelly-like texture, typically presented in small red-and-white hexagonal tins or jars ranging from 4g to 30g, and it emits a potent, distinctive herbal aroma characteristic of menthol and camphor that lingers after application.[9][10][11] Available over-the-counter in pharmacies, supermarkets, and online retailers globally, Tiger Balm is especially ubiquitous in Asian markets and comes in various packaging sizes and formats including ointments, oils, and roll-ons to suit different user preferences.[6][12] Regarded as a versatile household remedy in numerous cultures, particularly throughout Asia, Tiger Balm has maintained its status as a go-to solution for everyday pain relief, drawing from roots in traditional Chinese medicine.[13][14]Brand History and Ownership
Haw Par Brothers emerged as the original producer of Tiger Balm in the early 20th century, founded by the Aw family in Rangoon, Burma, to commercialize the balm following its initial development. The company expanded operations to Singapore in 1926, establishing a factory on Neil Road and building a robust production base for the product. Over the decades, it evolved into a structured corporate entity, with the second-generation Aw family incorporating Haw Par Brothers International Limited on July 18, 1969, to consolidate assets including the Tiger Balm brand. This marked the transition from a family-owned enterprise to a publicly listed company on the Stock Exchange of Malaysia and Singapore (now the Singapore Exchange).[15] Key ownership transitions occurred shortly after the 1969 listing, when British investment firm Slater Walker Securities acquired control of Haw Par Brothers International in June 1971 through a hostile takeover. The acquisition led to aggressive expansion but ended in turmoil following Slater Walker's collapse in 1975 amid financial scandals. Post-collapse, the company underwent significant restructuring under government intervention, with Michael Fam appointed to stabilize operations from 1975 to 1977; assets were streamlined, and non-core businesses divested. By the late 1970s and 1980s, ownership shifted through mergers and acquisitions, culminating in substantial stakes held by Singapore's Wee family (linked to United Overseas Bank), who as of October 2025 control approximately 28% of shares through Wee Investments Pte Ltd as the largest shareholder.[16][17][18] Today, Haw Par Corporation Limited (renamed in 1997) remains a Singapore-based public company listed on the Singapore Exchange, overseeing the brand through its wholly-owned subsidiary Haw Par Healthcare Limited.[16] The Tiger Balm trademark was officially registered in 1909 by Aw Boon Haw, drawing inspiration from his name ("Gentle Tiger") and a tiger emblem on regional currency, securing intellectual property for the balm's distinctive branding. By the mid-20th century, Haw Par Brothers had established global distribution networks, including factories and distributorships in Malaya, Hong Kong, Indonesia (Batavia), various Chinese cities, and Thailand, enabling widespread commercialization. These networks laid the foundation for the brand's international presence, now spanning over 100 countries. Legal protections against counterfeits are enforced through trademark registrations in multiple jurisdictions, such as Malaysia (No. R/000311, 1937) and the United States (various filings since 1974), with Haw Par actively pursuing actions against infringers to safeguard authenticity.[15][19] In its current market position, Tiger Balm, managed by Haw Par Healthcare, generates significant revenue, with the healthcare segment reporting S$226 million in 2024, up 6% from the prior year, and group revenue for the first half of 2025 reaching S$126.3 million, up 7% year-on-year as of August 2025, driven by strong demand in ASEAN, Europe, and the Middle East. The brand sells millions of units annually worldwide, supported by subsidiaries like Haw Par Healthcare Limited (focused on manufacturing and distribution) and leisure investments such as Underwater World Pattaya. Haw Par Corporation's diversified portfolio, including property investments, bolsters its stability, with group turnover reaching S$244.8 million in 2024.[20][21]Development and Production
Origins of the Formula
The Tiger Balm formula traces its roots to the 1870s, when Chinese herbalist Aw Chu Kin developed it as a secret family remedy in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar). Originally from Xiamen in Fujian Province, China, Aw Chu Kin had relocated to Rangoon around 1870 to establish a modest clinic and pharmacy, where he began crafting the ointment in a home setting to address common ailments such as rheumatism, muscle aches, and chest congestion.[4][22] Drawing from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles, the formula utilized herbal extracts renowned for their therapeutic properties in pain relief and circulation enhancement, reflecting Aw Chu Kin's background as the son of a Hakka herbalist. Key elements like camphor and menthol were incorporated to create a warming, penetrating balm that aligned with TCM's emphasis on balancing bodily energies through natural remedies. Known initially as "Ban Kim Ewe" or "Ten Thousand Golden Oils," this version was produced on a small scale, primarily for family and local use, without commercial intent.[4][23] Following Aw Chu Kin's death in 1908, the proprietary recipe was passed to his sons, Aw Boon Par and Aw Boon Haw, who had joined the family business in Rangoon. The brothers, operating from their home in Burma, undertook early testing and refinements to the formula, experimenting with proportions to improve efficacy based on user experiences with everyday pains. This period of familial iteration solidified the balm's foundational composition amid the family's established life and business in Myanmar.[4][22]Commercial Expansion
Tiger Balm was commercially launched in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma, in 1909 by brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, who introduced the original red variant in distinctive hexagonal jars. This stronger formulation, derived from their father Aw Chu Kin's herbal recipe and trademarked under the tiger emblem, rapidly gained traction among the Chinese diaspora, becoming a household remedy for ailments and driving substantial sales growth in Southeast Asian communities.[23][24] Aw Boon Haw, whose name translates to "gentle tiger," spearheaded innovative marketing strategies that leveraged the product's name and imagery for broad appeal. He adopted a leaping tiger emblem on packaging, vibrant orange labels, and even a custom promotional car fitted with a tiger-head hood ornament and a honking mechanism mimicking a tiger's roar to distribute free samples across Malayan towns, significantly boosting visibility and sales. Complementing these efforts, Aw Boon Haw founded and utilized Chinese-language newspapers, such as the Sin Chew Jit Poh in Singapore (established 1929), to run advertisements and endorsements, embedding the brand in everyday cultural discourse.[25][24][26] The brothers relocated the Eng Aun Tong company to Singapore in 1926, constructing a larger factory along Neil Road that amplified production tenfold compared to Rangoon. This move facilitated further international expansion during the 1930s and 1940s, with distributorships and factories set up in Malaya, Hong Kong (including the 1935 Haw Par Mansion as a promotional site), Batavia (now Jakarta), Thailand, and parts of China, enabling exports across Southeast Asia and beyond. By the mid-1950s, these operations had solidified Tiger Balm's presence in global Chinese markets, with annual output reaching millions of units.[24][23][27] The brothers' partnership blended Aw Boon Haw's entrepreneurial flair in marketing and expansion with Aw Boon Par's focus on production and quality control, though underlying tensions emerged over business directions. Initially collaborative, with Aw Boon Par managing the Rangoon operations while Aw Boon Haw drove Singapore-based growth, their efforts were disrupted by World War II; Aw Boon Par died in 1944, prompting Aw Boon Haw to consolidate control from Hong Kong post-war, resulting in more autonomous regional operations by the late 1940s to navigate local challenges and markets.[4][23][27]Formulation
Core Ingredients
Tiger Balm's core ingredients consist of a blend of essential oils and waxes, formulated to provide topical relief through counterirritant and soothing effects. The standard red variant contains camphor at 11% w/w, levomenthol (menthol) at 10% w/w, cajuput oil at 7% w/w, clove oil at 5% w/w, and dementholised mint oil at 6% w/w, suspended in a base of paraffin and petrolatum.[28][29] The white variant adjusts these proportions for a milder profile, featuring camphor at 11% w/w, levomenthol at 8% w/w, dementholised mint oil at 16% w/w, cajuput oil at 13% w/w, and clove oil at 1.5% w/w, also in a paraffin and petrolatum base; some regional formulations incorporate eucalyptus oil for additional cooling.[30][31]| Variant | Camphor | Menthol | Cajuput Oil | Clove Oil | Dementholised Mint Oil | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 11% | 10% | 7% | 5% | 6% | Paraffin, petrolatum |
| White | 11% | 8% | 13% | 1.5% | 16% | Paraffin, petrolatum |