still trying to figure out where to start or how to bring back my blogging mojo.. so many things happened..pagkatapos magkasakit ng mga bagets, ako naman ang sumunod.. at kahit hindi pa ako magaling, may I sugod sa Quiapo at Divi ang drama ko for my ate’s wedding.. so while I try to re organize my thoughts, calendar and physical health, here are some of the things I bought in Quiapo.. err Binondo to be exact:
Yes, there’s a few drops of Chinese blood on my veins but it’s not what influenced me to be dependent to menthol and ointments. I got it from my mom who loves anything alternative medicine hehe (acupuncture, moxibustion and the use of food supplements).
These 4 are always present in our medicine cabinet and each one has a purpose..uhhm well for me.. each one has its own “expertise”.
Let’s start with the more popular menthol, Vicks VapoRub. I have a confession to make..there was a time in my life that I can’t live er sleep without a rub of Vicks. It was during my college years and Vicks kinda treats my home sickness.. Actually until now, if I am super duper stressed, I still need some help from my menthol friends to fall asleep. Other than that, we use Vicks to treat colds, coughs and ease pain from tonsillitis.
Vicks VapoRub can also be used as steam to temporary relief from colds or clogged nose. To use as steam, partly fill a bowl of steaming water, add 2 teaspoonfuls of Vicks VapoRub and inhale the steam.
Polar Bear is next because as far as I can remember, this menthol has been with my family..giving us comfort from stomach pain and travel sickness (even morning sickness!). My mom would put two drops of Polar Bear to a cup of hot water and will drink it like a tea.. best treatment for flatulence hehe
According to the Tsinoy where I bought Polar Bear, this menthol is for China where as White Flower is used in HongKong. Also, be careful in buying Polar Bear, only buy at Binondo where you can be sure that you’re buying the original one. Original Polar Bear is distributed by Tekson Marketing here in the Philippines.
White Flower.. can’t remember when it was introduced to me but since then, we never run out of this flower. Since White Flower is a very strong oil, I use this to treat head ache.. like extreme headache or the migraine kind of head ache.. or the kind of head ache that makes you want to cut your head off.. Put a little near your eyes and a lot on your forehead and you’ll definitely feel a sudden relief from that kind of head ache.
White Flower is also used for cold, flu and muscular pain. It can also be applied to insect and mosquito bites and used for travel sickness.
Last one.. which I only discovered this year, is Tiger Balm… ay I love the smell of this one.. I use this pag bahong baho ako sa paligid ko LOL Tiger Balm is best used for muscle pain.. instant relief mga teh! The only downside.. kumukulay sya sa damit!
Tiger Balm is from Singapore pala.. and can also be used for itchiness and insect bites.. my sister pointed out that it smells like Betet.. it’s another menthol ointment (from Malaysia naman)..well, not to me.. Tiger Balm smells waaay better than Betet.
Price List! (from Binondo, magtanong tanong muna kayo ha, kase ung nabilhan kong tindahan sa Binondo medyo mahal eh haha):
- White Flower 10 ml 140 PhP
- Polar Bear 55 PhP
- Vicks VapoRub 135 PhP
- Tiger Balm 95 PhP (as low as 75 PhP)
All these menthol pala is available din in Mercury Drugstore, not sure lang if it is cheaper in Binondo or not 🙂
Do you love using menthol or Chinese ointments too? Tell me what’s your favorite!
Marinela Diaz says
June 4, 2014 at 9:01 pmAmong the four products, yung Polar Bear lang ang hindi ko kilala. I grew up na palaging may Vicks VapoRub sa bahay. Imbyerna lang si mudra kasi palaging nauubos agad. Kinakain daw ba namin. Hahaha! Eh kasi kahit walang colds, naglalagay kami sa colar ng damit namin. Malamig kasi sa pang-amoy. 🙂 The White Flower naman, ever present yan sa mga field trip mula elementary til college. Kontra hilo baga. Yung Tiger, wala kami nung balm na yan. Pero yung anti-mosquito repelant nila meron kami. Smells nice and effective sa makukulit na lamok.
A few years back, my mom’s best friend gave her a balm from Brunei. Sikat daw ito doon. Can’t remember the brand pero alam ko ang itsura ng packaging and we only refer to it as “otot”. Napa-Google tuloy ako. Otot means muscle pala and the brand is Geliga. It’s really good for muscle pains and headache. Hindi naman available dito sa Pinas. Nakwento ko lang po. Hehe! 🙂
Mommy Pehpot says
June 5, 2014 at 8:45 amwaah I want to try Geliga! Meron pa pala na maganda din for muscle pain.. bengay 🙂
Rita says
August 27, 2017 at 5:04 amWhich means in English:… well. you missed this part
Istin Dizon Paigna says
June 4, 2014 at 9:29 pmvicks, white flower and tai chi ginger rub are my favorites! 😀
Mommy Pehpot says
June 5, 2014 at 8:43 amay hindi ako familiar sa tai chi ginger run, pakilala mo ako hihi
Gracie Ramirez says
August 10, 2017 at 9:00 amHi! I have frozen shoulder for months. I didn’t go for therapy yet so I am suffering, like I wake up in middle of the night because of the pain on my arm and shoulder. When my mom came, she bought and introduced me to Polar Bear (only buy the original), P55.00/biggest bottle size in an old Chinese Store here in Carbon, Cebu City. She insisted that I apply Polar Bear on my shoulder. I am glad I listened to her. Polar Bear has greatly helped me. If I apply Polar Bear before I retire to bed, I am relieved when I wake up in the morning especially when I need to move my arm and shoulder in getting out of bed.
Mommy Pehpot says
August 11, 2017 at 4:38 pmyes, only buy the original 🙂