December 11th, 2006
Ongawi

Product Review:
Cap Kaki Tiga Yellow Balsem Review

I was surprised to see this little jar of yellow wonder balm in my freebie bag at the recent PCC Presidential Ride this year.

The Cap Kaki Tiga (Three Legs Brand) logo of three legs (wearing cycling SPD shoes??) cycling in infinite cycles really caught my eye because after the long 60km or so of mountainbiking, I'm sure many of the participants of the event had wished they had an extra leg to get them through the stages.

Who would have known that a company like Cap Kaki Tiga would sponsor such a big mountain biking event here in Malaysia!

If all the big multinational companies here were to show this kind of support, our mountainbiking sport would have rocketed to UCI class overnight.

I never miss an opportunity to review a biking product. So, if the Cap Kaki Tiga Yellow balm is in my mountainbiking goodie bag, it rightly deserves to be called a biking product.

Presentation

It's yellow... which make it easier to spot when you open your medicine cabinet full of multicoloured bottles and boxes.

The yellow ointment comes in a 20g glass jar, sealed with a security seal. If the jar were any bigger, one can easily mistake it for lemon jam.

The ingredients, directions for use and drug warning are all clearly printed on the bottle. On the 'warning/precaution'label, the sinister warning states: "It is dangerous to place any product containing camphor into the nostrils of children. A small amount applied in this way can cause immediate collapse."

So, what is in this balm? It's 13.5% Methyl Salicylate, 7.5% Menthol, 7% Camphor and the rest is the waxy, oily ointment base.

Does it work?
Personally, I'm a pill popper kind of person. Got aches and pain? Just pop a pill and chill. I don't usually waste time giving myself foot massages with ointments, lotions and balms.

This is going to the first time I'm trying out the Yellow Balsem for my post riding aching calves.

I dabbed a glob of the yellow stuff and applied it evenly all over my left calf. The right calf is the control calf.

With the smell of menthol and camphor wafting into my nostrils, the thought of dying of camphor-induced respiratory collapse crossed my mind. I waited for it to happen but it didn't. My skin did not break out into some funky yellow rash... so I guess it is pretty safe to apply locally.

After a few minutes, my left calf felt warm and happy, while the control right calf still ached like any regualr control calf...

So how does this cocktail work?

The mechanism behind this ointment's ache-relieving properties is "COUNTERIRRITATION".

All 3 active ingredients of the Cap Kaki Tiga balm are actually irritants to the skin. When applied in the right concentrations, they produce a warm/ cooling sometimes numbing sensation to the area of skin. This irritation that travels in the pain nerve fibers distracts or confuses the brain from the real pain signals (which may share the same nerve fibers) coming from the aching muscles.

Psychologically the symptoms are alleviated but the injury still remains..

This ointment can work wonders in another way. I have this theory that people who use this kind of pungent ointments by the tub-full are actually reaching out, seeking attention.

When someone walks into the room reeking of menthol and camphor they will surely elicit some form of sympathy or pity..

"Oh you poor biker.. you must have biked your muscles into a knot..."

Walk into your doctor's clinic smelling like methyl salicylate and menthol and he will grant you 10 days of sick leave, no questions asked.

Will I use it?

Hey, if this Cap Kaki Tiga balm is not on UCI's list of banned substances for cyclists, why not?

It may not help me grow another biking leg but if it keeps my two legs warm, happy and buzzing after every ride, why not?

I may not wear a yellow jersey but I know I'll have my coat of yellow ointment to keep me cycling for miles and miles to come.

Product: Yellow Balsem
Manufacturer: Syarikat Wen Ken Drug Sdn Bhd.
24 Jalan Lambak, Taman Johor, 81200 Johor Baru, Malaysia.

(Please use as directed. If symptoms persist, please seek medical advice..)

Value for money: cheap, affordable muscle pain relieve option

Performance: . hot stuff!

Cool factor: .this is no Chanel No. 5

-Ongawi