CATS! WILD TO MILD | CONSERVATION

TIGER PARTS FOR SALE

The Asian medicine trade is probably the biggest threat to the survival of tigers in the wild.

Some people believe that certain parts of a tiger's body can be used to cure disease. For over 2,000 years, tigers have been used in Asian medicine as ingredients in aphrodisiacs and to treat a wide variety of illnesses, including gallstones, acne, and convulsions.

Although the killing of tigers is now banned worldwide, poaching continues. Supplying tiger parts for use in Asian medicine rewards the poachers. This is probably the biggest threat to the survival of the tiger in the wild. Programs are now underway to educate people about this danger to the tiger.

Asian Medicine Shop

Tiger Eyeball Pills
    Take one a day
    to prevent convulsions.

Tiger Gallstone Salve

    Combine with honey
    and rub on abscesses as needed.

Tiger Bone Powder

    Drink with wine at
    bedtime for spring tonic.

Tiger Whiskers Charm

    Use as protection
    against bullets.

Tiger Heart

    Take three times
    a day at meals
    for courage and cunning.

Tiger Tailbone Ointment

    Mix with soap and
    rub on skin rashes.
 Tiger Hair Repellent
    Burn to drive
    away centipedes.

Tiger Skin

    Sit on skin
    to reduce fever.

Tiger Brain Lotion

    Mix with oil and
    rub on body
    to prevent acne and laziness.

Tiger Claw Amulet

    Put in your pocket
    for courage.

Tiger Penis

    Add to soup and
    take at bedtime
    for virility.

Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
© Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation

This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation.

All photographic images contained within these Web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced or utilized in any manner without the express written consent of the owner.

Tiger diorama photo by Jim Angus © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation

Tiger parts photo courtesy Tim Wood © Tim Wood

Tiger Rx sketch © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation

Page design by Jim Angus