During a Vanity Fair interview featuring the cast of HBO fantasy series ‘House of the Dragon’, British actor Emma D’Arcy, who plays Rhaenyra Targaryen, revealed that they rely heavily on Tiger Balm to “diffuse” when dealing with headaches.
Source: House of the Dragon on Facebook
This did not escape the notice of fans, with many commenting on the actor’s use of the well-loved Singaporean household staple.
On Saturday (20 June), Vanity Fair published a YouTube video featuring the ‘House of the Dragon’ cast.
In it, the cast played games to see how well they knew each other.
D’Arcy was first on the hot seat, and their first question was: “What is my weirdest on-set habit?”
Before D’Arcy even had a chance to write down their answer, fellow British actor Matt Smith, who plays Daemon Targaryen, already had his locked in.
Source: Vanity Fair on YouTube
After D’Arcy finished writing, Smith gave his response.
“It’s not weird,” he said. “It’s practical.”
He then revealed the answer: his co-star “diffuses” using Tiger Balm.
Source: Tiger Balm, for illustration purposes only
“It helps the migraines,” Smith added.
When D’Arcy nodded to confirm the answer, the rest of the cast could not help but express their surprise.
D’Arcy explained that headaches were a regular issue for them on set, adding that wearing a wig meant they had to keep reaching for menthol balm.
Source: Vanity Fair on YouTube
Fans were quick to pick up on the star’s unexpected answer.
One TikTok clip highlighting the moment drew multiple comments about D’Arcy’s use of Tiger Balm, with one remark receiving over 2,400 likes.
Source: @emmadarcy_ on TikTok
Tiger Balm is a Singaporean classic, though its history goes back long before it became a familiar sight in local homes (and, apparently, on the sets of blockbuster fantasy series).
Now made by Haw Par Healthcare, Tiger Balm traces its roots to a herbal formula created by Aw Chu Kin, a former herbal doctor from China who later ran a pharmacy in Rangoon, Myanmar.
It was his sons, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, who brought the formula to Singapore in the early 20th century and marketed it as Tiger Balm.
More than 100 years later, the ointment remains a household staple, often reached for to ease aches, pains, and everyday discomfort.
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Featured image adapted from House of the Dragon on Facebook and Tiger Balm.