10 Uses for Vicks VapoRub

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jazzy

jazzy

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i like vicks and have used it for many years. ive used it for several problems and it still works pretty good. worth having some extra around i hink the equate brand is the same % of each ingredient.

it Really works to stop dry cough overnight. rub on bottom of feet, put on socks and go to bed.

10 Uses for Vicks VapoRub​


https://www.healthline.com/health/vicks-vaporub-benefits#what-is-it
 
I got a whiff of it out in public once. I remember an old person walking by and I asked my mom, "What is that smell on them?" I've never tried it after that encounter. I've got this picture in my mind of some guy hawking it as a miracle cure to a small crowd gathered around a wooden wagon at a carnival in the 1800's. It may work, but with the mental image I have built of it (right or wrong) - I'm not going to smear it on myself to give it a chance.
 
Haertig said:
I got a whiff of it out in public once. I remember an old person walking by and I asked my mom, "What is that smell on them?" I've never tried it after that encounter. I've got this picture in my mind of some guy hawking it as a miracle cure to a small crowd gathered around a wooden wagon at a carnival in the 1800's. It may work, but with the mental image I have built of it (right or wrong) - I'm not going to smear it on myself to give it a chance.
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I usually smell like Ben Gay :p
 
We use it a lot. I have a turtle neck sweat shirt that I wear when ever I use it, it lets me put the vix on my neck, back, and chest and keeps it off the bedding for the most part. It never truly comes out of the sweat shirt.... It's a big sweat shirt and everyone shares it as required. :)
 
What is Vicks VapoRub?
Procter & Gamble lists the following active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub:

camphor (4.8%)
menthol (2.6%)
eucalyptus oil (1.2%)
It also contains several inactive ingredients that may be responsible for some of its popular uses, including:

cedar leaf oil
nutmeg oil
petrolatum
thymol
turpentine oil
The salve has a strong menthol scent and a petroleum jelly-like texture.

Uses that have some scientific support
Doctors, researchers, and the product’s manufacturer have recommended Vicks VapoRub for the following purposes.

Relieving congestion
Vicks VapoRub isn’t a decongestant.

However, strong menthol and camphor vapors create a cooling sensation in your nasal passages, triggering receptors in your brain to feel that you’re breathing more openly.

In a 2017 study, adults with a cold reported that using Vicks VapoRub helped improve subjective sleep quality.

Easing cough
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol as cough suppressants.

That said, Vicks VapoRub isn’t recommended if your cough has lots of phlegm or if it’s chronic, such as with asthma or emphysema.

The manufacturer recommends following these steps to maximize effectiveness for cold symptoms:

Rub a layer of Vicks VapoRub on your chest and neck only. Don’t use it near your mouth or in your nostrils.
Drape a warm, dry cloth over your head while you’re sitting upright or standing.
Loosen any clothing around your chest and throat so vapors can rise to your nose area.
Repeat, if needed, up to three times in 24 hours.
Not on your nose
Avoid putting Vicks VapoRub on, in, or around your nose.

A 2018 reviewTrusted Source suggests camphor may be absorbed through your mucous membranes and is toxic, especially to toddlers and babies.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source mandates that no over-the-counter (OTC) product can contain more than 11% camphor.
Never use Vicks VapoRub on children younger than 2 years old.
Vicks VapoRub can also damage the cornea, so keep it away from the eyes.
Learn more about the effects of using Vicks VapoRub on your nose.

Soothing sore muscles
The NIH describes both camphor and menthol as topical analgesics, which are pain relievers rubbed on the skin.

Products containing camphor and menthol can create a powerful cooling sensation that may temporarily override your ability to feel the pain of sore muscles and joints.

A 2023 reviewTrusted Source found that products with camphor and menthol may help relieve pain associated with knee osteoarthritis, muscle pain, and neuropathic pain.

However, the authors note that more research is needed to support these products for pain relief.

Treating toenail fungus
The three active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub have antifungal properties.

A 2011 study suggested OTC mentholated ointments may effectively treat toenail fungus.

Similarly, a small 2015 study found Vicks VapoRub may be a cost-effective alternative to expensive antifungal medications, especially for people without insurance or who may be socioeconomically disadvantaged.

Learn more about 10 home remedies for toenail fungus.
 
Other uses that people report work for them
While little or no research supports the following uses of Vicks VapoRub, some people have said they have tried it with favorable results.

Fading stretch marks
Stretch marks are purplish, red, or white lines that appear on the skin after a period of quick growth. They most often appear around puberty and pregnancy.

ResearchersTrusted Source haven’t found evidence that any topical cream or lotion is effective in reducing stretch marks. Nevertheless, some people report success in fading stretch marks using Vicks VapoRub.

Training pets
Some people believe the strong scent of Vicks VapoRub can keep pets from urinating on or scratching up furniture in the home.

Dabbing a small amount of the product on the area you want to protect may keep your pet at bay, but make sure your pet can’t lick or chew the ointment off the surface.

Never put Vicks VapoRub directly on your pet’s skin.

Camphor is toxic to animals. It can cause a skin reaction, and in large enough amounts, it can cause seizures and even death.

Healing rough skin on your heels
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, especially when used on damp skin because it keeps moisture from evaporating.

This may be why some people find Vicks VapoRub helpful for healing rough skin on their feet and heels.

However, more research is needed to support the anecdotal claims about its usefulness as a treatment for dry, calloused foot skin.

Repelling mosquitoes
A 2020 reviewTrusted Source found that many people in Colombia use Vicks VapoRub to help repel mosquitoes or soothe mosquito bits.

A 2013 reviewTrusted Source found that the camphor oil found in Vicks VapoRub can repel certain species of mosquitoes. Similarly, a 2012 studyTrusted Source suggests products containing menthol may also be effective against mosquitoes.

However, more research is needed to support the use of Vicks VapoRub in repelling mosquitoes.

DEET and picaridin are still the most powerful mosquito repellents.

Treating acne spots
Beauty bloggers have promoted using Vicks VapoRub as an overnight acne treatment.

Research suggests some ingredients in Vicks VapoRub may help heal blemishes, but other ingredients may actually worsen acne.

For example, dermatologists have recommended camphor essential oil as an acne treatment.

However, petroleum jelly, another ingredient in Vicks VapoRub, may cause breakouts. The AAD recommends against using products with petroleum jelly on acne-prone skin.

Learn more about 14 home remedies for acne.

Relieving headaches
A 2015 reviewTrusted Source found that gels and ointments containing menthol may help relieve headaches when applied to the base of the skull.

However, the amount of menthol in the tested products was much higher (6% and 10%) than that in Vicks VapoRub (2.6%).

So far, no studies support using Vicks VapoRub for treating headaches.

Warnings and cautions
Health officials and the product’s manufacturer say you shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub:

on children under 2 years old
on open wounds
under tight bandages
Other safety warnings include the following:

Store Vicks VapoRub safely out of reach of children.
Don’t heat Vicks VapoRub before you use it, as it can cause burns.
Never eat or swallow Vicks VapoRub. The ingredients are toxic when ingested.
There have been cases when Vicks VapoRub caused the skin under the nose to lighten.
There have been rare casesTrusted Source when long-term or excessive use of Vicks VapoRub caused a rare form of pneumonia called exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP)Trusted Source.
If your cough or muscle soreness lasts longer than a week, talk with a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vicks VapoRub useful for?
Vicks VapoRub may help relieve coughs and minor muscle and joint pain.

When should you not use Vicks VapoRub?
You shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub if you have a persistent cough associated with asthma and smoking or a phlegmy cough. It’s also not recommended for children ages 2 years and younger.

Is it OK to use Vicks VapoRub with COVID-19?
Products containing menthol are not recommended for people with COVID-19. Menthol can trigger receptors in your brain that make you feel as though you’re breathing more clearly than you are and can lead you to underestimate the severity of your symptoms. This may result in delaying necessary medical treatment.

Why should you rub Vicks VapoRub on your feet at night?
Some people claim that putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet can help with cold symptoms. However, there isn’t any scientific evidence to support this theory. The manufacturer’s guidelines say to apply the product to your chest.

Takeaway
Vicks VapoRub has been a medication cabinet staple for more than 125 years. Although it’s not listed as a decongestant, solid research supports its use to relieve a stuffy nose or cough.

It may also help relieve muscle and joint pain, as well as stamp out toenail fungal infections.

That said, many anecdotal uses, such as trying to fade stretch marks, heal rough skin, and treat headaches, aren’t supported by evidence.

If you’re looking for remedies, speak with a healthcare professional. They could provide the best treatment for you.
 
When I was a kid I used to get what I guess were chest colds with severe coughs. One of my parents, usually my Dad would rub Vicks on my chest before I went to bed. I guess it was to keep me from coughing, and help me sleep through the night. I have no idea how effective it was, but we used it a lot. I didn't know they still made it.
 
I always kept a tube of it in my battle rattle kit. When I had to around a number of dead rotting corpses I could put a dab under each nostril to keep from getting sick. I will also used it when I was downwind of middle eastern cooking, which often smells like dead rotting corpses, and when on burn pit / latrine duty.
 
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When I was a kid my mom would trowel Vix Vapo Rub on me for seemingly any excuse.. I never could see it doing any good other than to make me feel like I wanted to throw up taking my mind off any other kind of malody..

Just the mention or thought of it makes me feel like throwing up..
HATE the stuff to this day..
 
something that sticks in my mind, when i was a kid my mom used this alot for any sign of colds and i hated it--the mells seemes so strong it was hard for me to deal with., but now 70 yrs later it doesnt seem as strong. anyone else notice that?
 
jazzy said:
something that sticks in my mind, when i was a kid my mom used this alot for any sign of colds and i hated it--the mells seemes so strong it was hard for me to deal with., but now 70 yrs later it doesnt seem as strong. anyone else notice that?
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Yes, I think our senses of smell and taste dull with age. Might be a part of it? Thank you for posting this, I've thought about it but never researched it. Glad to have a recipe!

Funny, when I was a kid my family fished in the swamp a lot, part of our diet. We used vicks as mosquito repellent! 🤣 I hated getting slathered up with stinky vicks! Works pretty well though!
 
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yeah i wondered if i just got used to it over the years or they changed the recipe so it was weaker . i sort of stopped buying and using it for years til i found out it can help with foot neuropathy and cough overnight. helps in many ways
 
jazzy said:
yeah i wondered if i just got used to it over the years or they changed the recipe so it was weaker . i sort of stopped buying and using it for years til i found out it can help with foot neuropathy and cough overnight. helps in many ways
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I'd never thought about it but I can see how vicks would be helpful with neuropathy. As it happens, got injured by a bull years ago. Have mild neuropathy in the foot on that leg. I've never sought treatment and don't treat myself for it aside from yarrow. But now that I know about vicks... it gives me other ideas worth exploring. :)
 
I keep a jar of it by my bed so when the dog gets skunked in the middle of the night..I put a small dab of it under my nose so I can't smell the skunk smell after I clean the dogs up.
It makes the first week of skunky dog small more bearable.
And it's great for sore muscles..
 
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