Try durian, moisturize your skin with coconut oil, visit a Buddhist temple and bring home a jar of balm - this is an incomplete MUSTHAVE list of Thailand.
Ointments that cure almost everything, from a sore throat to sprains, are sold at every turn in Thailand and cost pennies.
Thai balms are:
- green
- yellow
- red
- blue
- brindle
- black
- white.
Thai balms and ointments
The smell is almost the same for all, but the beneficial properties of each ointment are different. Although they are easy to distinguish by color and packaging, their descriptions are often confused.
The very first classification of balms: warming and cooling. The first definitely includes red and yellow, the second - blue and white. Green and tiger balm - both warm and cool. Is this mysticism? No, this is Thailand.
We recommend the article: which countries are open to tourists from Russia during the pandemic?
Green balm
One of the two most popular balms. Available in packages of different sizes. Most often you can find jars with the image of a man (tourists dubbed it “balm with a man”).
For some reason, “balm with a man” is especially in demand, although the essence does not change depending on the type of jar. The average cost in Moscow is just under 700 rubles per 50 grams.
Applicable for:
- insect bites
- burns
- muscle spasms
- chondrosis
- sprains
- has an analgesic effect.
Ingredients: Vaseline 45%, tincture of the Barleria lupulina plant 24%, paraffin 15%, menthol 8%, borneol 5%, camphor 3%.
Tiger balm
The exotic Tiger balm is breathing into the back of the green “balm with a man’s” head. Packaged in beautiful jars with the image of a tiger, 20 - 30 grams each.
There are two types: red (amber in color) and white. Tiger balm is more expensive than traditional yellow, green, blue and red balms; the cost of a small package in Russia is 350 - 500 rubles.
Applicable for:
- insect bites
- chondrosis
- muscle pain
- runny nose
- numbness, neuralgia
- joint diseases
- sore throat (externally!).
Ingredients: Camphor (25%), menthol (10%), cajuput oil (7%), Chinese cinnamon oil (5%), clove oil (5%), dementholized mint oil (6%).
Manufacturers
Despite the abundance of balm options, there are a few major companies that are involved in the industry.
- Herbal Star. Young company. They have proven themselves well in the market. Specialization - healing and medicinal balms with high efficiency rates. The compositions are completely natural;
- Tiger Balm. The main product is warming and cooling ointments. Red and white balms. The jar itself features a tiger;
- Wangprom. One of the largest company. It has been on the market for more than 25 years. “Thai balm with a man” is about them. Their products depict a doctor and part-time founder of the company, Wang Prom Cheler. The company has also established itself on the international market. Received the “best herbal balm” award. During production, they adhere to the original recipe, while complying with all medical standards of the 21st century;
- Banna. Tiger balm, with scorpion venom and snake venom is the company’s calling card. These three types are considered the most popular and in demand among all products. Relieves inflammation and joint pain.
- Binturong. All the company's products are created on the basis of herbs, extracts and vitamins, micro and macroelements. This recipe is the key to successful and effective use of funds.
Yellow balm
Warming and inexpensive, yellow Thai balm is used by athletes before training to prepare their muscles. The balm can be rubbed into the temporal areas to relieve headaches; it can be used to warm up the nose and throat during a cold (externally!).
By increasing blood flow, it helps speed up muscle regeneration. The price in Russia is about 350 rubles per 50 grams.
Applicable for:
- massage
- headache
- cold
- chondrosis.
Peculiarities:
- Each variation and variety is marked with a specific color;
- Each jar has its own indications for use;
- Balms are produced and supplied in liquid form. This makes the application process and absorption much easier;
- Some varieties contain unique components: snake venom, scorpion venom, extracts from crocodiles.
In this article we will talk about the use of Thai balms for joints and other diseases, their purpose and help you choose the right option.
Red balm
The hottest balm, bright red in color, warms up the muscles and skin well. Therefore, it is used where heat is needed to relieve pain and cold symptoms.
Like other balms, it helps in the treatment and prevention of colds, and is used for rubbing muscles. You can buy a fifty-gram jar in our country for 250 rubles.
Applicable for:
- massage
- headache
- abdominal pain, muscle spasms
- cold
- chondrosis.
Ingredients: Ginger oil (turmeric oil, play oil) 46%, menthol 28%, paraffin 16%, petroleum jelly 12%, borneol 4%, camphor 4%.
Pink
Despite the name, the color of the balm itself is white, and the packaging is pink.
Rose balm, Thailand
The product has a warming effect, and often contains lotus oil. The balm has a gentle effect, so it is suitable for delicate skin.
It is used as:
- anti-inflammatory for colds;
- antipyretic (before bedtime);
- help in the treatment of neuralgia, pinched muscles.
The product can also relieve mild skin irritation from the sun, but you need to be careful when using it.
Blue balm
The most cooling balm, thanks to the high menthol content in the composition. It is not particularly popular among tourists, since Russian people are more accustomed to saving themselves from bruises and heat strokes with wet towels and the contents of the freezer. Costs 750 for 50 grams.
Applicable for:
- varicose veins (do not rub into open wounds!)
- runny nose
- swelling
- insect bites
- bruises and hematomas.
Ingredients: Clove oil 50%, menthol 16%, clitoris trifoliate 10%, petroleum jelly 10%, borneol 8%, camphor 6%.
Black balm
Black balm is called royal. In addition to camphor, eucalyptus and other natural ingredients that balms are rich in, it contains black sesame oil.
Strong and effective, it is used to relieve muscle pain. It costs more than regular “colored” balms - 650 rubles per 50 grams.
Attention! The name “Black” is also used in other balms (for example, with cobra or scorpion venom), but these are different balms.
Applicable for:
- muscle pain
- chondrosis
- bruises and hematomas
- swelling
- insect bites
- arthritis and gout.
Ingredients: Beeswax, camphor, 108 healing Thai roots and herbs, including black galangal oil, sesame oil, wintergreen essential oil.
Tips for choosing
When choosing a Thai balm, pay attention to the main points:
- Type of balm. Species are divided by color. Decide what effect you would like to achieve and choose the type of product according to your needs.
- Effect. You may have specific ailments, in which case, focus on them. Headaches and migraines are relieved with some types of balms; joint problems and diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be treated with the help of warming agents.
White balm
White balm is the most gentle of all. It has a gentle effect on muscles and joints, thanks to which it can be used by children and pregnant women (after consulting a doctor). Cost in Russia: 300 rubles.
Applicable for:
- muscle spasms
- neuralgia
- insomnia
- insect bites
- runny nose.
Ingredients: contains eucalyptus oil, whale oil, clove extract, camphor, mint and more than a hundred other herbal ingredients.
Yaton Pid (YA TON PID)
A liquid preparation containing an extract of Thai plants for the treatment of herpes, boils and other skin inflammations. Known for its speed.
Directions for use: Treat the affected area with liquid (on a cotton swab) 3-4 times a day. There may be a slight tingling sensation at the application site.
Ingredients: Clinacanthus Nutans. More than 108 different herbs and plants growing in ecologically clean areas in the north of Thailand, in the Kanchanaburi province.
Thai balms mainly contain eucalyptus and mint oils, menthol and camphor and other plant substances (up to 150 items) in different proportions.
In addition to this, the yellow balm is made on the basis of turmeric, and the black one - as already mentioned - on the basis of black sesame oil. The colors of blue, green and red balms are due to the presence of dyes.
Balms will not save you from chronic bronchitis and will not cure osteochondrosis. But in combination with medications and treatment prescribed by the doctor, they can speed up the recovery process.
Thai balms are perfect for preventing colds, warming up muscles during massage and cooling the skin during bruises and hematomas, as long as you don’t mix up the jars.
They will help relieve nervous tension and soothe pain, but will not cure you of migraines and varicose veins. Balms are not medicines, and their use will not replace traditional medicine.
Review
Thai green balm
One of the most popular ointments in Thailand is considered a green balm that has cooling properties, although it causes the opposite sensation when applied to the skin.
The green ointment usually contains petroleum jelly, camphor, tincture of the Barleria lupulina plant, menthol, borneol and paraffin. Well-known manufacturers of green balsam are Wangprom, Osotip.
Thai green ointment should be used:
- for sun and thermal burns;
- for injuries and sprains (IMPORTANT! Use the ointment within 24 hours after injury, as it has a rapid analgesic effect - it begins to act within 10 minutes);
- for chondrosis and sprains;
- for sports injuries (extreme sports where there is a risk of various bruises);
- for insect bites (relieves itching and inflammation, and also neutralizes their poisons);
- an excellent local analgesic, has anti-inflammatory properties, restores blood circulation;
- with lubricants and muscle tension.
One variety of Thai green ointment is CLINACANTHUS NUTANS (BURM.F.) Lindau Green Ointment.
Green ointment with an extract of a magical plant has all the properties of a regular Thai green ointment, differing only in the content of CLINACANTHUS NUTANS (BURM.F.) Lindau extract. This extract effectively fights various types of inflammation and skin irritations and copes well with allergic reactions. CLINACANTHUS NUTANS extract is one of the main components in the fight against viruses and fungal diseases, including Herpes infection.
Thai green ointment with CLINACANTHUS NUTANS extract has a strong bactericidal effect, which disinfects and accelerates the process of tissue regeneration.
Yellow Thai balm
This ointment has a warming effect. The yellow ointment contains cajuput oil, ginger, turmeric, menthol and other natural ingredients. The composition may vary depending on the specific product. Thai yellow ointment is produced by various Thai companies - Yellow Siang Pure Balm, Kongka, Golden Cup and others.
Yellow ointment is mainly used by athletes to prepare muscles and joints, as well as to warm them up before training. In addition, Thais very often use this ointment for massage for muscle pain.
Other healing qualities of yellow balm can be observed:
- for headaches and migraines (it is necessary to rub the ointment into the temples, the back of the neck, and the occipital bone);
- for ARVI and colds (to warm up the nose and throat);
- for bruises and (as an additional remedy) for contusions;
- for motion sickness, “sea sickness” (need to inhale);
- in the treatment of rheumatism.
A variety of yellow Thai ointment is:
- yellow balm based on Zingiber cassumunar - used in the treatment of sprains and muscle pain, bruises, swelling and inflammation. Reduces fungal dermatitis between the toes and hands.
- Ginger balm – cleanses and shrinks pores, reduces inflammatory reactions. Relieves cellulite, muscle pain due to rheumatism, arthritis and sprains. Thai ginger ointment is used in massage with hot bags. It protects the skin from burns and increases the healing effect.
Thai red ointment
Thai red ointment is one of the hottest Thai ointments, which perfectly warms up the muscles and skin.
Red balm can be used only if there are no contraindications to thermal exposure. In addition, red ointment has an anesthetic effect and perfectly fights cold symptoms.
The balm contains ginger oil, petroleum jelly, turmeric oil, borneol, play oil, paraffin, and camphor. One of the famous brands of Thai red ointment is Ya Mong Sud Pai Red.
Thai red balm is used, like other Thai ointments, and has a huge range of uses. They can:
- rub joints and muscles;
- used in therapeutic massage for joint pain, in addition, red ointment can be used to quickly restore joints and bone tissue in case of fractures;
- use for headaches, migraines and colds (for migraines - rub into the temples, back of the neck and occipital bone, for colds - rub the sternum and upper back at night);
- use for menstrual pain, nagging pain and stomach pain (rub the abdominal area);
- use for hypothermia of the legs and arms (Thai-made red ointment perfectly warms frozen limbs in a matter of minutes);
- heals joints, and also has a healing effect for neuralgia, osteochondrosis and pinched nerves.
Thai blue ointment
Blue balm from Thailand is a balm that has a cooling effect due to the presence of menthol in its composition. However, this balm is not popular among tourists, because... Russian (and not only Russian) tourists are more accustomed to saving themselves from bruises and heat strokes with wet headbands or contents from the freezer.
The Thai blue ointment contains clove oil, camphor, the previously mentioned menthol, petroleum jelly, clitoris trifoliate, and borneol. One of the main manufacturers of this balm is Wangprom.
Thai blue ointment helps with fatigue and heaviness in the legs, with bruises and bruises (it has a cooling and analgesic effect), during dizziness and weakness, with varicose veins (relieving its symptoms), with a runny nose, with insect bites.
Thai black ointment
Thai black ointment (the Thais themselves) is considered one of the strongest and most powerful medicines. Otherwise, this ointment is also called royal ointment. When using black ointment, you must be extremely careful, since it is the one that has a powerful effect, and sometimes, if used incorrectly or due to individual intolerance, causes some discomfort. In terms of its effectiveness, Thai black ointment is classified as a warming ointment.
The royal ointment contains camphor, beeswax, black galangal oil, more than 100 pharmaceutical Thai roots and herbs, sesame and wintergreen essential oil. One of the most famous manufacturers of Thai black ointment is Mho Shee Woke.
The use of Thai black ointment is incredibly wide; the main thing differs from other ointments in that this ointment acts quite quickly and acts deeply on the source of pain and discomfort. The ointment is mainly used for swelling, bruising and hematomas, to relieve pain and inflammation in the musculoskeletal system. Royal ointment provides essential assistance in getting rid of salt deposits and has a good analgesic effect.
White Thai balm
White ointment is considered the most delicate and gentle balm in Thailand. It can be used by those who have very delicate and hypersensitive skin, and is also recommended for use by pregnant women and children. This ointment contains whale oil, eucalyptus oil, clove extract, camphor, mint and other natural ingredients.
White Thai ointment has a soft and relaxing effect, has one of two properties depending on the composition (cooling and warming-cooling properties). One of the most famous manufacturers of white Thai ointment is Wangprom.
White ointment is used for neuralgia; it helps relieve itching from insect bites. Thai white ointment is very often used in massage, as it has a beneficial effect on muscle tension and pain. This ointment has a miraculous effect for insomnia, you just need to spread a little balm on the area between the eyebrows. Can also be used for inhalations and runny nose.
Tiger Thai ointment
The main parts of Thai tiger ointment are herbs and medicinal oils; this balm can be white or red. According to the color, the balm has a cooling or warming effect. Tiger ointment is produced in Thailand by only one company, whose brand is depicted on the jar of ointment, Tiger Balm.
According to the color, the balm is divided according to its application. White tiger balm is used for diseases of the respiratory system, and is also used for muscle pain. Unlike white, red tiger ointment perfectly helps with problems of the musculoskeletal system, and is also used for muscle paresthesia.
Thai ointment made from cobra particles
Thai cobra ointment contains cobra skin and bone cells, as well as snake venom. This balm helps with pain relief, swelling, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is necessary to use Thai ointment made from cobra cells in the area of sore joints and muscles. This balm must be used regularly, otherwise there will be no effect.
Separately, I would like to draw attention to Thai liquid balms. They occupy a separate shelf or niche in traditional Thai medicine. They penetrate the skin layers more quickly, and have better skin restoration effects and relieve inflammation more quickly.
Liquid balm Yaton Pid
This liquid balm contains more than 100 different herbs and plants, as well as the natural component Clinacanthus Nutans. Yaton Pid is widely known in Thailand for its fast action and is used to treat boils, herpes, and other skin inflammations.
Liquid yellow balm made in Thailand, made on the basis of natural oils and herbs with Orchid extract.
The main effect of this liquid balm is to provide various beneficial effects on the skin. This effect occurs due to the presence of Orchid extract in the balm. The balm intensively moisturizes, nourishes, normalizes and restores the skin. It has an intoxicating effect on the condition of the skin, removing toxins and replenishing the skin with useful minerals.
Medicinal tincture Puseima
Pharmaceutical tincture of medicinal Thai herbs and shed snake skin powder, infused with coconut oil. It has a beneficial effect on the resorption of varicose veins, gently resorbs bruises and black hematomas after injuries. Puseima tincture is suitable and has a beneficial effect on the condition of patients with diabetes, improving the condition of their legs.
Proper application and use of Thai ointments
The biggest mistake when using ointments from Thailand is using a large amount of balm. It is very economical and concentrated, so take about 1-2 grams of ointment at a time and rub it into the sore spot.
After applying the ointment and rubbing for 3-5 minutes, try not to move too much, let the ointment absorb into the skin.
Ointments are used externally only! Do not take inside! When rubbing your nose, make sure that the ointment does not get into the mucous membrane and eyes. In case of contact, rinse with plenty of water.
Real review about the use of Thai ointments and balms
I tried to find real reviews on the Internet about the use of ointments from Thailand and did not find anything useful. Some of them are written under the product description in online stores and there is little trust in them.
Some are on sites like “Otzovik”, where they are written for money. Therefore, I decided that a review from a blogger will help you decide whether to use the balms on yourself.
Back in 2013, I brought balms and ointments from Thailand as a gift to my grandfather. He has had pain in his knee for more than 20 years (unfortunate fall) and recently it has become very difficult for him to walk.
Grandfather used green, yellow, black balm (from cobra venom). There was also a red balm and a blue one (for varicose veins). Of all these ointments, the yellow and green balm gave the greatest effect.
In the morning, grandfather rubs his knee with a small amount of ointment and after half an hour he can already walk without a crutch. Before this, his leg had trouble bending at the knee and there was constant pain (his leg would give way). My grandfather has been using yellow balm for more than 4 years and cannot get enough of it.
So if you have problems with joints, chondrosis, muscle pain, I definitely recommend using yellow balm from Thailand .
There are different reviews of Thai balms on the Internet. Some people dote on them, while others treat them with noticeable skepticism. They definitely have an effect. But to feel it, you need to consider the following points:
- quality and guarantees of the seller, place of purchase
- correct use
- amount of product applied
- scale of the disease.
Remember: if you are not careful, you can harm your body. Here are a few rules to follow.
- Do not rub the balm if you want to get rid of varicose veins. It can be applied with light movements in the absence of contraindications from a doctor.
- Do not confuse warming and cooling ointments; it is better not to use anything than to apply the wrong one by mistake.
- If there is no effect, don’t try too hard. Europeans who are not accustomed to these aromas can easily feel sick. There is no need to apply all the balm if a small amount does not help.
- The healing properties of balms should be understood as improving blood circulation, as a result of which oxygen is delivered more quickly to the cells and the body regenerates faster. Never apply balms to open wounds.
Reviews
“My sister brought blue Thai balm as a gift from vacation. The color of the cream is frightening, I put the souvenir away - I’m not a fan of exoticism and folk methods. At the dacha I twisted my leg, it swollen and turned blue. My sister, seeing my injury, advised me to quickly use a cream from Thailand. It was inconvenient to refuse, I finally opened the gift and smeared myself so as not to offend Masha. The cream was slightly cooling, the feeling was pleasant. After 3 days of use, the swelling went away and the bruise became smaller. I liked the cream, it replaces Troxevasin well for hematomas, relieves pain.”
Albina.
“I treat colds in children with White Balm ointment. It is a good substitute for mustard plasters for mild coughs. If there is a runny nose, I lubricate the guys’ temples and the skin around the nose. White ointment is suitable for small children; there have never been any allergies from it. At the dacha we use it against mosquito and midge bites. A convenient natural medicine with no side effects.”
Inga.
“The children brought back from vacation a whole battery of jars with multi-colored creams from Thailand. Beautiful and cute, judging by the color, they are all with chemical dyes; such bright colors do not exist in nature. I gave one to my friends and kept it for myself. Reviews are different, some say that it helps with joints, allows you to get up in the morning and start moving. I myself smear my heels with white cream, in my opinion, ordinary Vaseline.”
Lydia Ivanovna.
Where to buy Thai balm
In the country of a thousand smiles, jars of fragrant ointments cost pennies - about 50 baht apiece. Of course, prices in well-advertised pharmacies like Parinda or Erawaddy, where enterprising guides take tourists on excursions, are several times higher.
The cheapest place to buy balms is at night markets, but there is no confidence in the quality and efficiency of the purchased product. It is best to purchase Thai balm at a pharmacy, the most common one where locals buy medicine, or at one of the 7-Eleven or Family Market supermarkets.
At least here everything is sold officially, the accompanying documents and permits are present and storage conditions are not violated.
In Russia, Thai balms are more expensive - from 150 to 700 rubles, depending on the type and volume. Wholesale buyers in Thailand can save a lot. Often sellers at the market offer to buy 3 balms for 100 baht or 5 for 200 and so on.
If you are traveling to Thailand and want to inexpensively but pleasantly surprise your loved ones with something exclusive, a jar of Thai balm will definitely please them more than refrigerator magnets.