Growing up in an Asian household, ointments play a vital role. From tummy aches, to bruises and headaches, Asian ointment is known for its magic to ease many problems. Although these ointments may not do everything your mother claims it does, here are some of the favourite iconic ointments that are sure staples in an Asian household.
The smells of our childhood
Reaching my 30s soon, I realised my body no longer works like it did when I was in my 20s. I get aches from time to time, and I needed more rest than before. It was then, I look to a familiar childhood ‘friend’ to ease the pain — ointments.
Ointments are usually used in Asian households to ease ailments without getting doctors involved. No, they are not the type that we need to visit a Chinese physician for. You can purchase it over-the-counter at pharmacies, or even at grocers and mini markets.
While there are no ointment that can do it all, there are ointments made specifically for one ailment. As we are very used to it since our early age, we already know which one is for which, often based on the smell alone. Here are some of the most common ointments used in Malaysian households.
Tiger Balm
Easily recognisable, the glass container of the balms are often attached with a tiger photo.
While it can exude an invigorating aroma of menthol, the smell is not that overpowering, although it can be for those who have sensitive noses. Used to alleviate pain, the main ingredients include camphor and menthol, which help relieve muscle and joint discomfort while providing a coolish warm sensation.
Usually, in an orange and reddish, almost brown colour, Tiger Balm has been the go-to ointment for many throughout for many years. Tiger Balm’s history dates back to the late 1870s when a Chinese herbalist, Aw Chu Kin who worked for the Emperor’s court left China.
Settling down in Rangoon (present-day Yangon, capital city Myammar), he set up a small medicine shop called ‘Eng Aun Tong’. There, he would make and sell his special ointment which was effective in relieving all kinds of aches and pains.
When Aw passed away in 1908, his two sons — Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par — continued his legacy. They set up a new shop in Singapore. The former renamed the ointment ‘Tiger Balm’, and successfully marketed their ointment in various countries such as Malaya (present-day Malaysia), Hong Kong, Batavia (Jakarta), Thailand and China.
Vaporub is often used to help relieve phlegm in throat and chest. 
An old advertisement for Vaporub.
Vick’s Vaporub
Vicks, a popular brand that sells Vaporub, is one of the household names in the ointment business. Vaporub is known to relieve cough and runny nose. VapoRub is also intended for use on the chest, back and throat for cough suppression or on muscles and joints for minor aches and pains. It has also been used to treat mosquito bites.
While it may sound ridiculous that an ointment could cure illnesses just by rubbing it on the skin, the ingredients in vaporub proved otherwise. Containing 2.6 percent of menthol, it is the same organic compound used for treating colds.
Though it is a common Asian household ointment, vaporub was made by Lunsford Richardson from North Carolina, USA in 1905. It was said to have been made due to Lunsford worrying for his sick son. The unique combination of ingredients, when applied to the body, will release soothing vapours. His son recovered soon after.
Today, Vicks had released numerous products under the idea of Vaporub. In the Malaysian market, what’s prominent would be Vicks baby’s vaporub (as babies could not use the original vaporub, which is too strong for them), lozenges, cough drips and many others.
Yu Yee oil
A Chinese medicated oil to treat bloated, or colicky babies, the Yu Yee oil has a pleasant and calming smell to many. It is also the most common smell many would find on newborn babies.
Applying Yu Yee oil to babies after they bathe has become somewhat of a norm in Asian households.
First made in 1880 at Foshan, central Guangdong Province of China, the Yu Yee oil contains different types of essential oils and Chinese medicinal herb. It became famous after the mixture was said to have cured a well-known Chinese politician, Li Hongzhang during the Qing Dynasty.
Today, the business remains under the original founders — the Wong family — based in Hong Kong. Based on experience, before dabbing Yu Yee oil onto the baby’s stomach, pour the water-based ointment onto the mother’s palm and rub them together, as a baby’s skin is sensitive and too much oil may be harmful.
Axe oil
Like Tiger Balm, this particular ointment is instantly recognisable as the packaging has a big axe symbol on it. It is pure in colour and pleasant in odour. Axe oil takes me back to my childhood days, as whenever something happens, my mother would apply the oil immediately.
We would always have several axe oils ready at home, and at that time, it never occured to me of the importance.
Now when I look back, I realised that my mother uses this ointment for everything. It is mild yet suitable for relief of giddiness, headache, blocked nose and cold, stomach-ache, insect bites, rheumatic pain and muscular pain.
In 1928, the Axe Brand Universal Oil founder, Leung Yun Chee migrated from China to Singapore to seek greener pastures. It was then that he met a German physician, Dr Schmeidler who gave him a recipe for medicated oil. Being a shrewd businessman, Leung took the chance to manufacture the oil and market them in Singapore.
Zam-buk
Whenever a child had bruises on their body parts, Zam-buk was often used as a ‘magic’ rub to ease the soreness. Not having much of a scent, the balm contains eucalyptus oil and camphor.
These active ingredients are said to have anti-inflammatory properties which can help relieve pain and the itchiness associated with minor wounds, burns, scalds, chapped hands, and insect bites.
Zam-Buk is an anti-septic ointment that could help relieve pain in minor wounds and bruises. 
An advertisement for Zam-Buk in the early 1900s. 
The original Zam-Buk during its early days. under its pioneer founder — Charles Edward Fulford.
First seen in England in 1902, Zam-buk was known as a herbal balm, and anti-septic ointment and is widely used in rugby and football fields in Australia and New Zealand. Whenever a player would get injured, Zam-buk was applied. The source of the name is uncertain, but a link to South Africa has been suggested. Although it has been discontinued by its original manufacturer, Zam-buk is still manufactured today, by Bayer, who now owns the trademark in some, but not all, countries. It remains popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Southern Africa.
