At that time, was already thinking of studying at Gregorio Araneta University Foundation to take up agriculture or veterinary medicine and use our Sta. Maria, Bulacan lot to build a farm.
But then was introduced to the world of computers and my fascination to farm animals and crops disappeared.
What made that trip further interesting was Chit Juan's sharing on how her vegetable farm indirectly functions as a herbal medicine farm. People who took care of the place use the same plants to cure any ailments they have.
If you plan to start one, the list of Department of Health recommended medicinal plants gives a lot of ideas on what you can plant and grow further.
I rarely get sick. But last September, caught a virus while claiming a gadget - end up with sore throat and cough. Was doing a workshop for 2 days with barely any voice. Good thing, it created pressure to speak slowly, clearly (despite lacking natural voice), and focused more on doing hands-on which allowed participants to learn more.
Instead of Vicks vapor rub, got myself a spa in a can from EchoStore to also relax as needed. Bought 3 of this for P195 each at EchoStore Serendra when I visited the area with 2 Cebu blogger friends. Also shared mine to friends suffering from cough and cold who liked it a lot.
But still, definitely took cough medicine to recover fast.
For cough medicine, I prefer syrup-based medication like Benadryl, Solmux, Bisolvon, and Robitussin.
But when you have a lot of commitments that requires moving around and meet people, capsule form becomes an alternative, being easy to carry, and I am happy with Solmux. In less than a week, cough is gone and end up giving leftover capsules to folks met who need it. (Yes, I still have one in my bag.)
Synthetic versus herbal
The funny thing about cough, whether you have it or another person, it opens the door to conversation about preferred medications.
I had an interesting chat with DigitalFilipino Club member Jam Mayer about this. Jam is the kind of person who takes herbal medicine by choice rather than those that come in synthetic or chemical form.
I tried validating this with Chit Juan who answered me that taking herbal medicine is a choice as everything we ingest goes through our liver. It is therefore a decision for us whether we want plant based medicine pass through our liver or synthetic ones made from chemicals.
Politics of cough medicine
What I find rather odd though in these conversations about cough medicine, not limited to Jam and Chit, is whether my choice of synthetic-based was influenced by advertising.
As I hardly watch TV, my exposure to cough medicine ads is limited to radio depending on the station a cab is tuned to. Although that is only for a short while as I would naturally switch to house music in my gadget to zone out.
Although in my case, my choice of cough medicine is based on past experience and recommendation. Whichever is tried and tested, works fast, works best is fine with me.
However, it seems some of the brands took an aim attacking herbal-based cough medicine. Benj Espina discussed this awhile back and only realized now how political this has become.
Looking at the various TV ads of cough medicines online, it seems my brand of choice, Solmux, step up its campaign attacking natural or herbal cough medicines.
Watching the Solmux ads above gave me the following message:
1. Solmux is safe with FDA approval.
2. On the lower right side of the first ad, there is a text stating it has no reported side effect.
3. On the first ad, I assume it meant that when a product claims that they are natural, that can't be immediately equated as safe.
4. Solmux is most effective and faster in dealing with cough - based on capsule and syrup dosing. As the product dissolves faster than herbal cough medicine, therefore much more effective.
5. I heard the radio ad before but usually just ignore it. Listening to it intently gives me the message that taking Solmux is better and cheaper as herbal cough medicine takes a longer time to process therefore requiring you to take it more and therefore spend more.
Through Twitter and Facebook, I asked friends on their preferred cough medicine. Among those that fit the natural or herbal cough medicine category, lagundi and Ascof got mentioned. I'm still validating if it is true that Solmux and Ascof are the #1 and #2 cough medicines in the country today.
Watching the Ascof and Plemex ads above gave me the following message:
1. The first commercial I assume falls under the testimonial category where users attest to the effectiveness of the product versus chemical-based cough medicine. One even stated preference to "natural" products as much as possible.
2. The Plemex ad is the one I recall the most through radio (the kid's voice). The ad shows that instead of boiling lagundi, get Plemex as it has the same effectiveness of the plant and taste better.
3. The 3rd ad that of Ascof shows a more aggressive stance citing possible side-effects of taking chemical-based medicine.
My take as a consumer
1. Healthy competition among brands is encouraged. However, they need to be truthful. I don't agree with the Solmux ad citing it has no side effects. The same goes for Ascof. Both of them have side effects one way or another.
2. I have not tried Lagundi. However, I feel insulted if my choice of cough medication, Solmux, will imply that I am influenced or against natural or herbal cough medicine. In several instances where I offered my remaining Solmux capsules to friends who have cough, it is quite odd to get a "no" and asked on what I think of its ads against herbal cough medicine.
Also, one of its ad confuses me. The ad where Solmux and herbal cough medicine was dipped into water, Solmux dissolve right away. I tried that and it doesn't.
Being a non-doctor, I am not sure either how does being able to dissolve right away would equate to effectiveness or cost-saving.
If the herbal cough medicine it compares itself to cost more and slower in "dissolving", then I guess there is basis for that marketing pitch. But the mere fact that Solmux cost more woud also set expectation that it works faster and that is why I'm paying more for it.
As a leading brand, Solmux must act like one and not engage in distasteful advertising. Furthermore, it insults the loyal brand user by creating a perceived identity of being against herbal cough medicine. Definitely, that is the last thing in my mind.
