Poy Sian Mark II 2-in-1 herbal inhaler

Poy Sian Mark II: the 2-in-1 Thai inhaler with cooling oil

Poy Sian Mark II combines two things in one slim stick: a Thai herbal inhaler for a quick breath of freshness and a small reservoir of cooling oil for the skin. Poy Sian has been sold in Thailand since 1936 and is one of the best known inhaler brands in the country. Each end has its own screw cap, so the scents never mix and nothing leaks into your pocket.

What is ya dom?

In Thailand, herbal inhalers are called ya dom. Schoolchildren and pensioners alike carry one, and you will find them in almost every shop, often right by the till. On buses and trains, people reach for them to mask the smell of exhaust fumes. Thai authorities even list ya dom officially as a traditional preparation, not as ordinary cosmetics.

Slim sticks like Poy Sian sit at the menthol end of the ya dom family, while jar inhalers such as Hong Thai are filled with dried herbs. You will find both in our aromatherapy range.

What is inside Poy Sian Mark II

Its intensity comes from a high share of menthol, backed by three classic ingredients of Thai inhalers (as stated on the label):

• Menthol 42%: the backbone of the scent, a clean and sharp coolness.
• Camphor 16.4%: a crystalline substance that evaporates completely in the air and adds a sharp edge.
• Eucalyptus oil 8.5%: a fresh, green note.
• Borneol 6.1%: a woody note, traditionally used in Thailand when the head feels like it is spinning.

How to use the 2-in-1 inhaler

1. Inhaler: unscrew the cap to reveal a wick soaked in essence. Hold it 1 to 2 cm from one nostril and breathe in gently. Do not insert it.
2. Oil: unscrew the other end and let a drop fall onto your temples, the back of your neck, a handkerchief or your pillow.
3. Afterwards: screw both caps on tightly so the scent does not fade.

Start carefully, with one gentle breath from a little further away. Poy Sian is much stronger than typical menthol sticks.

Poy Sian or Hong Thai?

• Format: Poy Sian is a slim stick, Hong Thai a jar of dried herbs.
• Scent: Poy Sian offers clean, sharp menthol, Hong Thai a fuller, spicier herbal aroma.
• Oil: only Poy Sian Mark II has a reservoir of oil for the skin.