Balms

Vicks Vaporub and Tiger Balm have special places in my soul. I don’t remember taking pills for headaches when I was young, though we had the almighty Crocin for grown ups. I think we have more headaches these days.

Vicks was for colds and mild headaches and Tiger Balm for the extreme versions of most aches. My uncle, who lived in Singapore, was the main source for Tiger Balm. My grandmother loved the smell of camphor in the balm. Camphor capsules are used in temples in India to light the mangalarthi fire. She probably felt like the gods were personally massaging her forehead.

Even today, when I rub Vicks on my daughter’s forehead, I rub a bit on my own temple. It reminds me of the times I don’t remember having headaches.