Many Cures - Vicks VapoRub “The Doctor”

The surprising uses for Vicks VapoRub that you never knew about.

Vicks is an age-old mentholated topical cream intended to relieve head, throat, and chest stuffiness – but did you know it can do more than relieve chest congestion? 

• De-congest Your Chest 

The most common use of Vicks is chest and throat de-congestion. When applied to the upper chest, it provides excellent relief of cough symptoms.

•  Footsie

Applying Vicks to your feet provides nighttime cough relief. Generously rub VapoRub all over your feet and cover them with socks. Within moments your cough will subside.

• Get Rid of Nasty Nail Fungus

Rub VapoRub on your toenails if you suspect you have a fungus. Within days, the nail will turn dark—this means the Vicks is killing the fungus. As your toenail grows out, the dark part will grow off and you will have fungus-free feet. Keep applying the ointment over a period of two weeks to fully cleanse nail beds of any remaining bacteria.

• Achy Breaky Muscles

Vicks relieves sore, overworked muscles. It increases circulation and provides almost instant aid. Use a generous portion and apply it all over the aching area.

• Stop Your Cat from Scratching 

Cats are notorious for scratching every hard surface they get their claws on. To prevent your Kitty from ruining the doors, walls, and windows, apply a small amount of VapoRub to these areas. Cats detest the smell and will steer clear. Vicks can also be applied to your arms and legs if your kitty is prone to scratching you.

•  Stretch Marks

While the makers of Vicks Vaporub do not claim that its product can actually reduce stretch marks or recommend its use as a treatment for skin conditions or scarring, the product has the anti-inflammatory property of eucalyptus, with women saying that within a week of using it, their stretch marks were 60 to 100 percent gone. Countless reviews of Vicks say that it is like a magic eraser of stretch marks or loose skin after pregnancy.

Because Vicks VapoRub contains a combination of eucalyptus oil, cedar leaf oil, petrolatum, camphor and turpentine oil, these oils combine and make overly stretched skin feel softer, while also reducing that dry appearance that makes stretch marks stand out.

• Headaches Be Gone

Rub a small amount of Vicks VapoRub on your temples and forehead to help relieve headaches. The mentholated scent will release pressure in your head and instantly relieve pain.

• Ticks and Bugs

If you get bitten by a tick, apply Vicks immediately. The strong odor might help get the critter to release itself and stop bugging you.

•  Humidify Your Sleep

Vicks VapoRub can be used in special types of humidifiers and vaporizers. Ensure your humidifier has an aromatherapy compartment before using. The humidifier will circulate Vicks throughout the air and keep you breathing easy all night long.

•  Treats ACNE and ROSACEA 

It might sound mad, but a little Vicks VapoRub can work miracles in clearing up all sorts of skin conditions.

Apply it to a face riddled with acne several times a day to soothe it and simultaneously dry it out, or alternatively use it to treat eczema and rosacea. 

A small amount of the product with help the look and discomfort of these skin conditions, and generally help to clear your skin. 

•  Go Away Mosquitoes

Vicks wards off mosquitoes. Apply small dabs of Vicks VapoRub to your skin and clothes and mosquitoes will steer clear. If you do get bitten, apply Vicks to the area and cover it with a Band-Aid to relieve itching.

According to WebMD, there have been a few complications in children when Vicks is used inappropriately. A few children reacted negatively and ended up hospitalized when Vicks was applied directly under the nose. Though this is extremely rare and only happens to those who are sensitive to Vicks, consumers should use caution when applying it to the face or on young children.