Title
Vintage Ex-Lax Tin: “The Chocolated Laxative”
Author/Manufacturer
Ex-Lax, Inc.
Image
Description
This striking vintage Ex-Lax tin once held 18 tablets of the famed “Chocolated Laxative.” Marketed as suitable for “adults and children,” this remedy was as much about brand trust as it was about digestive relief. Its distinct navy blue, cream, and orange color scheme and typography scream mid-20th century Americana.
Condition
The tin shows clear signs of age and wear, with surface scuffs, label fading, and minor rust along the edges. These characteristics add to its authentic, timeworn appeal. The lid still closes snugly, and the branding remains legible.
Historical context
Ex-Lax was founded in 1906 and became a household name by the 1920s. Its flagship product—a mild, chocolate-flavored laxative—was favored for its palatability and convenience. At a price of 25 cents for 18 tablets, it was both affordable and accessible to the American public. Ads often emphasized its safety for children, a marketing strategy nearly unheard of today in pharmaceuticals.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
Ex-Lax was originally flavored with real cocoa.
It remained one of the top-selling laxatives in the U.S. for decades.
The tin design went through several iterations—this example is believed to date from the 1940s to early 1950s.
Excerpt
“EX-LAX: The Chocolated Laxative For adults and children 18 tablets – 25¢”
Why it is in the Cabinet
This tin encapsulates the intersection of marketing optimism and medical minimalism. Its promise of relief in a chocolate coating reflects a time when even constipation had a genteel solution. For the modern collector, it offers a nostalgic look at how pharmaceuticals were once sold like candy.