Tiger Balm for Toenail Fungus – A Complete Guide

Tiger Balm is a topical pain-relieving cream that contains a powerful blend of herbal ingredients that also have the power to kill the fungus.

Tiger Balm is used by many for relieving aches and pains caused by sports-related injuries but did you know that it has an alternative use?

If you are one of the millions (including myself) that is affected by a nail fungal infection that is causing thickened, discolored, and brittle toenails then I would recommend considering Tiger Balm.

But you are probably a little skeptical. Can Tiger Balm really treat my nail fungus? Will it work for other infections like athlete’s foot?

THE QUICK ANSWER:

Yes, Tiger Balm can treat toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and a host of other fungal related ailments. This article will be an ultimate guide to using Tiger Balm for the aforementioned problems and is a step-by-step process to getting you healthier nails and feet.

Tiger Balm – What Is It?

Tiger Balm is one of the most popular general pain relief formulas aside from Vick’s Vapor Rub. (I would recommend reading the comparison of Vick’s Vapor Rub to Tiger Balm in this article to see why Tiger Balm is better).

This formula is used by sports therapists, trainers, massage therapists, and physical therapists. Due to the effectiveness of the formulation, it has become a highly sought-after product for at-home solutions for millions of people in the world.

So, it’s more than likely you may have a container of this stuff laying around in your bathroom or medicine cabinet.

Tiger Balm is traditional used for the following:

• Muscle strains
• Backaches
• General aches and pains
• Arthritis
• Coughing relief
• Bruises
• Sprains

However, after reading this article you will learn that Tiger Balm’s uses is not limited to these.

Key Ingredients in Tiger Balm – Why Does It Work for Fungus?

Tiger Balm uses a powerful concoction of essential oils that are designed to treat general pain and skin conditions.

Below is the ingredient list:

• Camphor (11%)
• Menthol (10%)
• Mint Oil
• Cajuput Oil
• Clove Bud Oil

One of the reasons Tiger Balm is so effective at treating a fungal infection is due to the main ingredients: camphor and menthol. Research from 2011 shows that Vick’s Vapor Rub, which contains these same two ingredients, was beneficial in treating toenail fungus.

Why camphor and menthol are so great at killing fungus is due to their anti-fungal properties. These powerful ingredients will hamper the growth of fungi and allow a new healthy nail to grow.

Also, these ingredients have been used by indigenous tribes from around the world for centuries to treat nail fungus, ringworm, athlete’s foot, topical pain, and a host of other problems.

How to Use Tiger Balm for Fungal Infections

Below is a step-by-step guide to properly prepare your feet for using Tiger Balm your fungal infection. It is recommended to cleanse your feet and nails before applying.

To use Tiger Balm for nail fungus, massage Tiger Balm on to your infected toenails. Wait at least 15 minutes for the balm to soak into your nails and absorb before putting on socks. Do this twice a day.

TIP: It is recommended before using Tiger Balm to trim your toenails to stimulate growth to replace your nails quicker with healthier nails.

With any nail fungus treatment, you will need to be diligent and consistent will the application to ensure that the fungus will not comeback.

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When Will I See Results?

Results will vary due to reasons such as consistency of application, the severity of the fungal infection, and other things like health and diet.

Many users report seeing results in little as 2-4 weeks.

If you are interested in speeding up this process, we recommend getting a supplement that helps grow healthier and stronger nails. This supplement is called Biotin and helps with skin and nail growth.

The theory behind it in the aid of toenail fungus and athlete’s foot is it helps replace the infected skin and nails with healthier ones faster.

Does Tiger Balm Work for Athlete’s Foot?

To answer it briefly… YES it will work for an athlete’s foot. You will just apply the Tiger Balm directly onto the infected skin twice a day.

The active ingredient, camphor, should be able to kill any fungus present on your skin as well as your nails.

The Science Behind Tiger Balm

Currently, there are no direct studies of Tiger Balm and its effects on fungal infections but there have been studies of Vicks Vaporub, a comparable substitute that contains similar ingredients.

A study done on 18 participants using Vicks Vaporub as a treatment for toenail fungus showed that 83% of the participants had a positive treatment effect and all participants were “satisfied” with the nail appearance at the end of the study.

Comparison of Tiger Balm and Vicks Vapor Rub – Which one is better?

Another popular home remedy is Vicks Vaporub, a topical analgesic, that is used for general aches and pains, as well as toenail fungus. Both Tiger Balm and Vicks Vaporub have positive effects on fungus; however, one is stronger than the other in treating fungal infections.

To completely understand why one is better than the other, we must go over the ingredients.

What this means is…

Tiger Balm’s formulation contains double the amount of camphor (11%) when compared to Vicks Vaporub. This makes Tiger Balm twice as potent as Vicks Vaporub and making it the better option for treating toenail fungus.

Vicks Vaporub does contain 1.2% of eucalyptus oil which is helpful for fungal infections but Tiger Balm having double the amount of camphor is better and can allow for quicker treatment time.

Are There Side Effects?

Unlike a lot of toenail fungus treatments, Tiger Balm has no side effects. Some users experience a mild warming sensation that is expected with this product.

If this is something you experience and are uncomfortable with it, apply less, or consider a different treatment option.

Can Tiger Balm be used if I am Pregnant?

It is not advised to use Tiger Balm if you are pregnant due to the ingredients camphor and clove oil.

If you are pregnant and need to cure toenail fungus, it is recommended to look into home remedies such as vinegar or any of the other products we stand behind.

Pros and Cons

The Bottom Line

The final verdict is that Tiger Balm is one of the least talked about but one of the more effective home remedies. The reason why Tiger Balm is not talked about so much because there is so much buzz around Vicks Vaporub.

After comparing formulations, you now know that from a science-based approach that Tiger Balm contains more camphor than Vicks which is one of the main ingredients that kills fungi.

One of the key highlights is that Tiger Balm can be picked up at any general store or ordered at the convenience of your home.

In addition, Tiger Balm has no significant side effects and can be used for other aches and pains besides toenail fungus.

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We recommend picking up a few canisters of Tiger Balm and try using how it was explained above. Remember consistency is one of the most important factors when getting rid of the fungus. So, go out there and give it a try and get rid of the fungus ridden nails before summer!