Rhino Water

It goes by the name “Three Legs Cooling Water”. It has been a very popular drink for over 60 years according to its manufacturer. My mum used to give it to me when I have sore throat. We called it rhino water.

As required under Malaysian health law, it is classified under traditional medicine and is safe to drink. It is recommended for a number of ailments which is listed as follows:

* Relieves heat stroke
* Relieves constipation caused by body heat
* Good bye to pimples and acne caused by body heat
* Forget mouth ulcers caused due to body heat
* No more headaches due to body heat
* Relieves burning sensation caused due to body heat
* Ideal for body heat caused by pungent/spicy food

It claims it has no side-effects. It does not contain salt, sugar, fat, preservative and chemicals. Its active ingredient is gypsum fibrosum extract or hydrated calcium sulphate or simply Shi Gao (gypsum).

Gypsum is commonly known as plaster of paris. It is a very useful mineral and comes in crystal forms or in the form of sand. If you have a quarry of gypsum, you will grow rich. The construction companies will kow tow to you because gypsum is a component in the building industry for wall partition and ceiling roofing and concrete setting. It is used to coagulate soya bean curd, as blackboard chalk, to cast broken legs and hands, in the preparation of shampoos, foot creams, binding tennis court clay and as fertilizers.

We have often been told, Shi Gao powder is bad for our kidney and should not be taken regularly. This is a wonder drink which works wonders. Then why is it dangerous for our health. Now I am very confused.