Picture this: It is already a common practice for you to rub on Vicks on different parts of your body whenever you feel sick. Not only that, but you also have a few other essentials on your side table like the famous White flower oil. Whether you are a self-proclaimed tita or in the in-denial stage of becoming one, this article lists down ointments you can add to growing “self-care” collection.
Your Self-Care Staples
Here are a few common ointments that you may or may not (but shold have) in your stash.
Vicks
Everybody is familiar with the blue jar lying around the bedside table. Vicks Vaporub is a minty salve people rub on different parts of their bodies. It provides relief from the following:
- Blocked nose
- Breathing difficulty
- Headache
- Muscle stiffness
- Body aches
It contains active ingredients, such as camphor (4.8%), menthol (2.6%), and eucalyptus oil (1.2%). According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), these three powerful ingredients can work as cough suppressants. On the other hand, both camphor and menthol act as topical analgesics (pain relievers).
However, contrary to popular belief, this topical ointment does not act as a decongestant. Rather, the strong menthol and camphor vapors, create a cooling effect to relieve your nasal passages. This then triggers receptors in the brain to make you feel like you are breathing more freely.
According to the findings of a 2017 study, patients reported that Vicks VapoRub helped improve their sleep.
White Flower
Next up on this list is everyone’s favorite embrocation – the White Flower. White Flower Embrocation, also known as Pak Fah Yeow, is a combination of essential oils such as eucalyptus and lavender. Aside from these, it also contains active ingredients quite similar to Vicks that work as external analgesics:
- Camphor (6%)
- Menthol (15%)
- Methyl salicylate (40%)
This menthol oil may bring relief and benefit a person experiencing one or more of the following:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Cold and snuffy nose
- Travel sickness
- Insect bites
- Stress
You may use white flower oil ointment in three different ways — applying a few drops (ipatak) on site, massaging it (ihagod), or inhaling it (langhapin).
Efficascent Oil
Another household staple landing on this list of ointments is efficascent oil. Similar to the other ointments, this also contains several active ingredients to help relieve pain:
- Methyl salicylate
- Camphor
- Menthol
Applying it to the designated area provides a fast and effective form of relief for the following conditions:
- Rheumatism back pains
- Muscular pains
- Joint pains
- Stiff neck
- Headache
- Flatulence
- Insect bites
- Minor sprains and strains
- Cramps
- Itchiness and other skin irritations
Efficascent Relaxing Oil is another form the brand offers. It is a potent blend of eucalyptus and peppermint oils in a roll-on applicator for easy use. It provides relief for travel and motion sickness, headaches and dizziness, stuffy noses, minor stomach and abdominal pains, and itchiness due to insect and mosquito bites.
