2024/02/24

Over the next five posts, we will be talking about the history of Hong Kong's long-established stores.Hong Kong Historical ShopsIn collaboration withI would like to introduce you.Hong Kong LEI's website reports on historical shops in Hong Kong and posts information about them on Facebook. They say that long-established shops are indispensable as symbols of Hong Kong culture, and that their survival will boost Hong Kong culture. We at Hong Kong LEI editorial team love Hong Kong, and we alsoI wanted to get a glimpse of the products that have been loved for a long time and were born in Hong Kong, what companies made them, what was the background to their birth, and where and how they were made. I titled it "Tracing the history of beloved Hong Kong long-established stores for Hong Kong otakus." But it's long, so I shortened it (lol) and named it "Tracing the history of long-established Hong Kong stores." Thank you for your interest.

Well, this is what we'd like to introduce to you today!

Photo by Boris Lee

It is said to be a multi-purpose oil, and its uses are varied, including for bruises, itching, stuffy nose, headaches, and car sickness. I'm sure you've been tempted by this cute can at least once and bought some as a souvenir from an airport drug store. Small ones to give away, and big ones for yourself. The can design is so Hong Kong-esque that it's mouthwatering (laughs).

The oil itself is very unique. Most oils have a slightly refreshing scent, like Salonpas with menthol. But this one is more refreshing than that; the first thing you notice is the scent of cinnamon. It's like a medicinal version of Asada candy. It has a sweet, candy-like scent that's hard to describe. After applying it, the menthol scent becomes even stronger, thanks to the cinnamon scent. The oil is a delicious-looking amber color. But don't drink it!

We have also introduced how to apply oil in other columns, so please feel free to refer to them.

Nice things I found while living in Hong Kong! Part 3: "All-purpose oil"

So, oil was born.Let's move on to the story of Po Sam On Medicine Factory.

Company name: Posamong Medicine Factory
https://www.posumon.com.hk/zh-hant/

Founded: 1907

Business: Unique herbal medicine

Address: 28-12, Puchai Industrial Building, 13, Zhuhang Road, Kowloon, Kowloon

Products: Boshin Anyu, Boshin Anyu, Oifu Katsurou Oil

While many local pharmaceutical companies do not have retail stores, Po Sam On is located at No. 191 Empress Boulevard Central, Sheung Wan. It is a small store with traditional décor, and upon entering, one's eyes are drawn to its logo, a colorful wooden carving of a child. In the past, when one saw this "child," one would naturally immediately think of Po Sam On oil. It was only recently, after collating information about local pharmaceutical companies, that one realized that many of China's unique pharmaceutical companies with centuries of history, such as Li Zhong Xin Tang founded in Foshan, Ni Tian Tang founded in Vietnam, Lingnan Pharmaceutical founded in Singapore, and He Ji Pharmaceutical founded in Guangzhou, were originally founded overseas, except for Po Sam On.

Founded in Hong Kong in 1907 by Kwok Siu Lung, Po Shin An's main store is located at XNUMX Lee Yuen West Street, Central. The first floor houses the market department specializing in the sale of Po Shin An's pharmaceutical products, while the mezzanine floor houses a conference room where customers can negotiate business partnerships. The factory produces a wide variety of medicinal oils and ointments, the most famous of which is the multi-purpose "Po Shin An Oil." It can be used for a wide range of purposes, including muscle pain, joint pain, dizziness, headaches, chest congestion, mild stomach aches, insect bites, itchy skin, and stuffy nose caused by colds and the flu. 

It was once manufactured at the "Po Shin An Manufacturing Factory" at 162 Causeway Bay Road (adjacent to the current site of Queen's College). The three-storey building had a shop on the first floor and residential space on the second and third floors, and the sign on the road side read "Po Shin An Manufacturing Factory". The workshop was at the back of a veranda and one had to pass through the shop on the first floor to get there. According to information provided by the factory, the site is now a private residential area. At the time, the factory employed over 40 people and manufactured medicinal oils and ointments, as well as laxatives and hair growth oils.

In the 1970s, the family business was taken over by the fourth son, Kuo Man Hsun, and the youngest son, Kuo Man Zhong. Kuo Man Zhong was the one who started to develop overseas markets, laying the foundation for the products to become popular in various countries, and are now sold in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia. The pharmaceutical company in Wong Chuk Hang also obtained GMP certification from Australia in 1998 and produces three types of products. Among them, "Poly Heart Oil" is the most widely available in sizes of 4ml, 5.6ml, 18.6ml, and 30ml, and there is also a 10ml roll-on type "Poly Heart Oil", which is convenient for customers to choose according to their preferences. The packaging of the cream was changed from paper bags to aluminum film to increase durability. 

The factory has been in operation for many years, and the production level is very high and stable, which has been highly praised by users. However, according to the third generation helmsman, Kuo Tzu-ming, the current lack of factory space is limiting the business development of Po Shin An. As the manufacturing process becomes fully automated in the future, machines will take up more space, new production lines will be needed to make new products, and the demand for land will only increase, so sooner or later, Po Shin An will need to move to a larger factory. However, as we all know, there is a shortage of industrial buildings in Hong Kong, and there are problems in meeting GMP regulations. However, the fourth generation has already joined the company, and new ideas will be combined with traditional wisdom and experience to solve various problems.

Next time we look forward to!