By ERICA TEMPESTA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 07:05 EDT, 31 August 2022 | UPDATED: 07:12 EDT, 31 August 2022
A traditional Chinese medicine expert has revealed how an herbal formula that was developed more than 100 years ago to alleviate gastrointestinal issues can also be used to prevent and treat hangovers.
The Eastern Philosophy, an Asian-owned small business that specializes in herbal medicine, shares educational videos about its products on TikTok, including $6 Po Chai pills, which are described as being a ‘staple in every Chinese medicine cabinet.’
‘[Po Chai] uses 14 herbs to reduce stomach upset, nausea, and hangovers,’ the expert explained in a clip that was posted last week.
The Eastern Philosophy, an Asian-owned small business that specializes in herbal medicine, shares educational videos about its products on TikTok
A recent clip discussed the benefits of Po Chai pills, which are described as being a ‘staple in every Chinese medicine cabinet’
She noted that it is the ‘most effective instant remedy’ for an upset stomach and nausea, adding in the caption that it also ‘helps prevent hangovers when taken before drinking.’
In the video, she dumped a vial of the reddish-brown pellet-shaped pills onto a plate to show what they look like.
‘They’re easy to carry when traveling,’ she said. ‘Just take one full vial with a glass of water.’
Po Chai pills were developed by Li Shiu-kei in Foshan, a city in the Guangdong Province, in 1896, according to the South Morning China Post.
They were manufactured there until the Li family fled to Hong Kong in 1949 following the communist revolution. In 2010, Jacobson Pharma acquired the manufacturer of the pills.
‘[Po Chai] has become a household name that passes from one generation to the next,’ Derek Sum Kwong-yip, CEO of Jacobson Pharma, told the outlet in 2017.
‘It comes with a high level of trust and confidence among end users. There is a lot of value in this brand waiting to be unlocked.’
The Eatern Philosophy sells vials of Po Chai pill on its website, and in its product description, the company included a quote from South Morning China Post.
‘Forget aspirin: when it comes to curing a hangover, nothing beats Hong Kong’s very own Po Chai pills,’ the Hong Kong-based newspaper wrote.
Po Chai pills were developed by Li Shiu-kei in 1896, and they have become a household name in Hong Kong, where they have been manufactured since 1949
The pills contain 14 herbs that ‘reduce stomach upset, nausea, and hangovers, and they can also ‘prevent hangovers when taken before drinking’
According to the company, the pills work well for hangovers because they include herbs for an ‘upset stomach, as well as those for dehydration, fatigue, sore eyes, body aches, and headache.’
The Eastern Philosophy recommends taking one vial of Po Chai pills ‘before drinking to reduce the effects’ before a hangover sets in.
They can also be used to treat indigestion, motion sickness, diarrhea, and vomiting, which is likely why they are known as a ‘cure-all’ to devotees.
TikTok users who were already familiar with the pills were quick to tout their benefits in the comments section of the video.
‘Used this in growing up, and in college, everyone thought I was crazy until they tried it,’ one person wrote.
‘I have stomach issues all the time! I tried these after eating a meal that would KILL my stomach & it helped out sm!!’ another added.
‘I love these!!!!’ someone else gushed.
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