Ever since Zayn Malik’s recent interview with British Vogue, Malaysians have been raving about his use of the nostalgic Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa medicine, also known as Ubat Cap Ibu dan Anak.
In the interview, Zayn mentioned,
“It’s like a honey from China.”
This sparked an online debate, with netizens correcting the British singer by pointing out that the medicine is actually a cough syrup and not honey.
“Why does he think Ubat Cap Ibu dan Anak is honey?”
“That’s cough syrup, brother. Not honey.”
Cap Ibu dan Anak
While Zayn’s comments weren’t entirely accurate, he wasn’t completely off the mark either. Let’s set the record straight and hopefully end the debate once and for all!
According to Nin Jiom, Ubat Cap Ibu dan Anak (Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa) is a natural cough remedy from the Tibetan highlands. It helps relieve coughs, phlegm, sore throats, and heatiness, which explains why Zayn mentioned it’s good for vocal cords.
Its sweet flavour makes it popular among Malaysians, especially for young kids (even adults) who prefer it over the usual bitter cough syrups.
Is it really honey?
To maintain a steady supply and high quality, Nin Jiom grows the traditional Chinese herb Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae (fritillary bulb) on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau in Tibet, China.
The syrup also has 15 other herbs, including honey, loquat leaf, pomelo peel, Chinese bellflower root, fresh ginger, and menthol.
“It’s like a honey from China”
The popular cough syrup originated in the Ching Dynasty in 1680. Yang Xiaolian sought a cure for his mom’s bronchial ailment and received a secret formula from Dr. Ip Tin-See.
The syrup was so effective that they decided to mass-produce it, naming it Nim Jiom, meaning “memory of mother.” The logo, showing a son serving his mother, was inspired by this story.
“Memory of Mother”
During the Sino-Japanese War, the Yang family fled to Hong Kong and later Brazil, selling the recipe to Hong Kong practitioner Tse Siu-bong to preserve it.
Tse led the company for 40 years, incorporating it in 1962 and expanding internationally. In 1984, a new factory in the New Territories was established to meet growing demand.
In 1997, the factory received GMP certification from Malaysia’s Ministry of Health. The brand’s name in Malaysia, “Cap Ibu dan Anak,” honours Yang’s mother.
Did we manage to satisfy your curiosity? You’re welcome, by the way!
