It may be tiny…
…but it sure packs a punch!
I’m talking about itsy bitsy teeny weeny menthol crystals.
I’m still suffering from blocked ears caused by a blocked nose. Went back to the doctor on Sunday night and he recommended me to buy a packet of menthol crystals from the pharmacy, dissolve some in hot water and basically, just cover my head with a towel and breathe in the steam.
I managed to buy some from a pharmacy on the way back from work this evening, and before taking my bath, I decided to try the steam inhalation. Boiled some water, poured it into a bowl…and stared at my packet of crystals wondering how much to put in. The instruction said two to three crystals.
“But it’s so small…how can three be enough?”
I think I threw in about ten-odd pieces.
It dissolved so quickly in the hot water that before I could even put the towel on my head, the steam hit me and my eyes began tearing like nobody’s business! Every breath I took felt like I was inhaling ice-cold air that went right up my ears and down my throat. Imagine someone shoving a big-ass bottle of Vicks right up your nose…yup, that’s about the same feeling, methinks (minus the pain of a jar of Vicks up your nostril lar)!
I got used to it after a few minutes, though my eyes were still tearing a little bit even though I kept ‘em firmly shut.
Tomorrow night, I think I’ll stick to two pieces.
PS: I found an article on the ‘net that said if you put some pieces near the shower in your bathroom, the steam from a hot shower will also release the menthol!
Comment by geekchic on 5 February 2007 @ 11:39 pm
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA…. Sorry, babe, couldn’t help laughing. I was more kiasee than you. When I got a pack of those crystals, I popped only 2 into a cup filled up to 1/3 with water. It was potent enough. So, with your 10 crystals, I can imagine
But, hey, no more blocked nose! 
Comment by boo_licious on 5 February 2007 @ 11:40 pm
first time I heard abt menthol crystals but we usually use Vicks with the same method i.e. the bowl of water and etc. My brother, the doctor of the family swears by that method.
Hope you get better as you seem to be still down with this flu bug.
Comment by merv on 5 February 2007 @ 11:54 pm
Dang. I think I need me some of those. My nose is so clogged now
Comment by carrot on 6 February 2007 @ 12:00 am
hey hey what are menthol crystals? never heard of them. do they work better than Vicks? I love Vicks when I’m down with the flu.
GET WELL SOON!!!
Comment by sooyin on 6 February 2007 @ 8:57 pm
Geekchic: Laugh at me, huh? Hmmph! You kiasee, I kiasu lorrr!!
Boo_licious: Oh, the doc did say that if I couldn’t find menthol crystals, can also use Vicks…but apparently need quite alot to get the same effect. I got the crystals from the pharmacy next to the Bangsar post office…RM4 for a pack. Judging by the # of crystals I need, it’ll probably last for quite awhile! And thanks…my flu bug is actually gone…it’s the ears that’s still bother me now…
Merv: Do try it…it really works…failing which, get a big ass jar of Vicks…*grin*
Carrot: Haven’t tried Vicks, but I think the effect is the same. The crystals look like longish versions of sea-salt but see-through….