AVANT GARDENER

I began suffering what I now realize were stress headaches in grade one. Not wanting me to rely too much on paracetamol, my mother, a migraine sufferer, introduced me to the wonderful world of salves and liniments, and I’ve been quite exacting about it ever since.

The point of the paragraph above isn’t to tell you about my health history but to emphasize that I have over 40 years of experience in using salves and liniments, so I know whereof I speak. I’m always on a quest to find a salve or liniment that’s super strong but does not burn too much, and being locally made with local ingredients is a big plus. Miss P’s Natural Pain Reliever has been my favorite salve since my friend handed me a tub of it almost a decade ago, and because summer is here and our backs aren’t getting any younger, I’m sharing my favorite salve with you.

The salve looks home made, but professional, with simple packaging that tells you what the natural pain reliever can be used for (‘colds, asthma, fever, muscle pain and insect bites’) on top and its ingredients (‘beeswax, ginger, lemongrass, menthol, eucalyptus, elemi, grapeseed oil and other healing herbs’) on the side.

I suffer from headaches and muscle pain, and a swipe of Miss P’s usually helps the pain go away. If I sound much too enthusiastic about this product, you should hear me talk about it in person. This is me being restrained.

Full disclosure: I’m friends with the creator’s mother, which is how I heard about Miss P’s. I’ve been a fan since I got my first tub and had to hoard it for the first few years just in case her son lost interest in manufacturing it. But almost a decade later, it’s still here, and I don’t have to hoard it anymore.

Miss P’s Natural Pain Reliever was developed by Enzo Tesoro, farm manager at PatisTito Garden Cafe in San Pablo, Laguna, whose permaculture farm was featured in Agriculture magazine years ago. Tesoro graduated from the University of the Philippines Los Baños with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Major in Horticulture, Crop Production, and Management of Banana.

Miss P’s came about in 2016 because Tesoro, then 24, saw an opportunity and grabbed it. “At the time, I was formulating my own natural fertilizers, and my mentor taught me how to create the pain reliever,” he said. “My mentor showed me that it was quite easy to acquire the various ingredients and materials to make a mostly natural menthol pain-relieving salve. I also learned through my own research that using synthetic ingredients could have rare but adverse effects.”

While not all of its ingredients are local, all of its ingredients that can be grown locally are locally sourced, usually from the wet market or nearby vegetable stalls. Quality control is important, and part of Tesoro’s QA involves obtaining the freshest ingredients and processing them as soon as possible to preserve as much of their health benefits as possible. “Working close to the sources is a big advantage,” he stated.

Tesoro is also constantly looking for ways to improve the product. “The formula has definitely changed [over the years]. I had to adjust the original formula in terms of quantities and ratios without diminishing the quality. In fact, I've improved upon it by giving it a slightly stronger kick, mostly through refining the manufacturing process.”

In a culture that values its liniments, what makes Miss P’s stand out in a saturated market, aside from its super strength, is its subtle menthol scent. “The unique scent… is a combination of various herbs and spices I incorporate,” Tesoro explained. “The scent itself lasts up to two years before completely evaporating. However, the salve itself still remains mentholated and can be used well beyond two years… The expiry date is mainly for the aroma.”

Tesoro is currently studying Japanese with the intent of working with one of Japan’s top grape suppliers, so I don’t know how long I’m going to have access to Miss P’s. But now you know my secret. I hope it helps you as much as it continues to help me.

Miss P’s is available at PatisTito Garden Cafe at 285, Barangay Sta. Cruz, San Pablo City, though they ship nationwide. Message or call Madonna at 09171265182 for orders outside San Pablo.