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!
