Hong Thai, Poy-Sian, Pastel or Peppermint Field: which Thai inhaler?

The short answer: choose the Poy-Sian inhaler if you want the classic two-in-one, Hong Thai for the big herbal jar that lasts, Peppermint Field for the lightest, most office-friendly scent (or its Black Series for a stronger one), Pastel X8 for a slim, scented stick, and Pim Saen if you want the old cotton-wick jar your parents used.

We import all six of the brands below and see which ones people reorder. This comparison is based on what is printed on the packs and on how each one actually sells to Singapore shops, not on which we would most like to sell. If you are new to Thai inhalers altogether, start with what yadom is.

Six brands side by side

Hong Thai

The green jar with the bird on the label, and the most searched Thai inhaler in Singapore. Hong Thai is a screw-top jar rather than a stick: you unscrew the lid and breathe from the loose herbs inside. The blend is menthol, camphor, borneol and eucalyptus. Because there is so much material in the jar, it keeps going long after a pocket stick has faded.

The standard is the green Formula 1, which is printed on the jar in Thai (สูตร 1), with white and yellow versions alongside. In October 2025 a single lot of Hong Thai Formula 2 was recalled in Thailand; see our Hong Thai recall explainer for the lot number and how to check a jar.

Best for: anyone who already knows the brand. It sells to older buyers by sight.

Poy-Sian Mark II

The one with the coloured caps, and the brand that made the two-in-one format famous. Breathe from the top; unscrew the bottom to roll oil onto the temples or under the nose. Poy-Sian has been making inhalers since 1936.

The label lists menthol 42.0%, camphor 16.4%, eucalyptus oil 8.5% and borneol 6.1%, which is why it feels sharp and clean rather than sweet.

Do the Poy-Sian colours mean anything? No. The six colours (green, yellow, light blue, violet, pink and light pink) carry the same label and the same formula. Pick the colour you like.

Best for: first-timers. In our orders it is the usual first line for a shop trying Thai inhalers, because it is the cheapest unit and the two-in-one means one item covers both habits.

Pastel X8

A slim pocket inhaler in eight scents, which is where the "X8" comes from. It is narrower than the traditional Thai stick and looks like a modern accessory rather than a remedy, so it appeals to people who would never carry a Hong Thai jar. It comes in a solid barrel and a translucent one that shows the colour inside.

Best for: younger users, gifts, and event goodie bags, where the mix of scents does the selling.

Peppermint Field

Another two-in-one, but in cleaner, more retail-looking packaging. The white original (2 ml) is the lightest scent of all the inhalers here, which makes it the easiest to use at a desk or on public transport. The Black Series is the stronger variant for people who find the white one too gentle. There is also a Black Series roll-on for those who only want the oil.

Best for: office workers, and anyone who finds traditional Thai inhalers too strong.

Pim Saen

Pim Saen is sold in three separate formats rather than combining them: a roller, a liquid balm oil, and the cotton-wick jar, which is the oldest format of the lot. The Pim Saen jar is also made under the Poy-Sian name, as its Thai label shows.

Best for: older users who want the format they grew up with, and anyone who wants a strong, traditional scent.

Siang Pure inhaler

Siang Pure is better known for its oils, but it also makes a pocket inhaler, in Formula 2 only. The maker lists menthol and eucalyptus oil as the main ingredients, for a blocked nose, dizziness and headaches.

Best for: people who already trust Siang Pure oil and want a matching inhaler. See Siang Pure Formula 1 vs 2 for how the formulas differ.

So which is the best Thai inhaler?

There is no single best. It depends what you want from it:

• Longest-lasting: Hong Thai, because the jar holds so much.
• Most useful per piece: Poy-Sian or Peppermint Field, because you get an oil as well.
• Gentlest: Peppermint Field white.
• Most discreet: Pastel X8.
• Most traditional: Pim Saen cotton-wick jar.

Whichever you choose, the same rules apply: keep the cap on, do not share it, and do not use camphor-menthol inhalers on children under two.

Stocking Thai inhalers in a shop

If you run a provision shop, pharmacy or TCM hall, our Thai inhaler wholesale page compares these lines for a counter, with the trade minimum for each. Poy-Sian and Pastel X8 start from 120 pieces; Hong Thai moves in cartons of 600.

Sources

1. Thailand Foundation: Ya Dom and the Poy-Sian brand
2. Bertram (1958) Co., Ltd.: Siang Pure inhaler
3. Pack labels: Poy-Sian Mark II, Hong Thai Formula 1 and Pim Saen, from stock we import.