When I was growing up, the solution to any bruise, headache, sprain, ailment of the moment was Kwan Loong Oil aka “Qu Feng You” which literally means “expelling wind oil”. The expelling wind oil radiated a noxious medicated menthol fume that could knock anyone out within a small city block. So, I often preferred being in pain over being rubbed down with the oil for fear of alienating anyone who wasn’t Chinese and over the age of 70. The alternative to Kwan Loong Oil was Tiger Balm which was pretty much the same thing except the mentholated medicine took the form of a greasy balm. Though my grand uncle used it religiously, our family were orthodox Kwan Loong Oil only. Like the Pepsi vs. Coke scenario, I have a feeling that there’s really only one mentholated cure-all that can rule the medicine cabinet – Kwan Loong Oil or Tiger Balm.
Which won the menthol challenge in your household?
hahaha, I think we had both actually. I always preferred Tiger Balm though, if only for the awesome name.
Kwan Loong Oil. A good remedy when you’re sick is to rub it on your bank and have someone dig into your skin back-n-forth with a coin. Red marks would be left but that’s what a lot of my relatives did.
My dad got addicted after some trips to asia….we are not asian but my bf family is….and we totally love chinese medicine….its funny cause the tiger balm….actually cures or help many stuff…even helps dry some zits….well….better dont spread the word to “vulcano” face teens…..cause will burn theyr face out ahahaha
I’ve never seen or heard of KLO. White Flower oil over KLO and TB.
I’ve never heard of KLO either, or White Flower oil. We used Tiger Balm & Mentholatum.
Did you guys also use that awesome green oil for mosquito bites? I have no idea what it was called; it came in an unmarked tiny glass bottle.
We used the green oil. So easy to carry and warms up so nice!!!! But we’re filipino so we also used Vicks, Salonpas, and Ben Gay liberally.
Mmm, nothing says sexy like menthol!
The green oil was called Aceite de Manzanilla in the Philippines..apparently it’s chamomile, but it was pretty minty to my baby nose.
We also used Hwang Wah Oil on eveything (am I spelling that right?): bruises, cuts, headaches, tummy aches. Growing up, I though it was called Hwang Wah because of the sound you make when you get hurt.
both were used.
but the cake was taken when one day i had a stomach ache and my chinese faux aunt used the liquid, put it in some hot water, and made me drink it.
needless to say it tasted like mentholated tiger shit