Brown bottle, pink splash

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A little painting of an Aglaonema leaf and a charming brown bottle.  The lettering on the brown bottle reads: "THIS BOTTLE ALWAYS REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF HUTUWAI DISTRIBUTING CO" I looked up this mysterious company and apparently they made some kind of herbal snake oil remedy.

The tonic brings LASTING RELIEF to sufferers from NERVES, arthritis, rheumatism, BLOOD PRESSURE and kidney trouble. Somehow I don't think their tonic cured many people.

Something I learnt recently on a podcast: the term “snake oil” originated in the gold rush in America – Chinese railway labourers used a type of snake oil made from a water snake which was high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which was actually beneficial for joint pain. Charlatans got hold of the idea and started selling their own snake oil, often using rattlesnake, (not high in Omega 3) or no snake at all.  I took the photo for this painting in full sunlight, but be careful not to leave your own Aglaonema in full sunlight as it will burn the leaves.