Man ends up in ICU after swig of omum water

Various brands of omum water at a mini market in Singapore. - The Straits Times/TAN TAM MEI/ANN

SINGAPORE: It was a home remedy for stomach discomfort Gunalan Perumal had taken countless times.

But when the 55-year-old operations manager took a swig of omum water on Aug 3 to treat his indigestion, he ended up in the intensive care unit at the Singapore General Hospital for three days, with injuries and swelling in his mouth and throat.