The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by harphealer (Mount Laguna, CA) on 01/31/2023
★★★★★
Been using Vicks on the bottom of the feet, cover with socks, for 30 years. Works like a charm.
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Rach (San Antonio, Texas) on 12/10/2012
★★★★★
I tried a menthol vapor rub and it worked for me. Thanks for all the great tips!!!
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Kristi (Papillion, Ne) on 05/13/2012
★★★★★
My son had a terrible cough that over the counter meds were not helping, so I came to your site and saw the vick's remedy, but I didn't have any vicks. I was thinking of going to the store and then remembered the Burt's Bees hand salve in the bottom of my purse. I don't like to use it on my hands because of the "menthol-ish" smell. Just put it on the soles of my son's feet and covered them with socks. So far so good, hopefully he will rest peacefully tonight.
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Anna (Kaneohe, Hawaii) on 05/04/2012
★★★★★
Take some vicks and rub it on each foot before bed. Put on some socks and wear that through the night for about 4 days and that should help. (when I say four days I mean every night for four nights not four days straight)
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Jenny (Perth, Western Australia) on 11/29/2011
★★★★★
I'm on the back-end of a cold and, as always, have got a tickly cough both night and day that sends me off in coughing fits. Three nights ago I slathered Vicks on the soles of my feet, covered them with socks and went straight to bed. I also elevated my head with a second pillow. Worked brilliantly. I've done it every night since - it lasts around 6-8 hours for me. Last night I removed the pillow as it gave me a headache - same great results! Now to try it during the day... :)
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Maria (Newmarket, Ontario, Canada) on 08/02/2011
★★★★★
whenever I get cough, I put vicks vaporub under my feet and then put on the socks it works wonderfully, and the cough stops.
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Emilyr (Portland, Or) on 03/29/2011
★★★★★
Wow Vick's on my feet gave me a night of peace after 2 weeks of a nagging, horrible cough - and very little sleep for my husband and myself. I am 36 and pregnant, and want to avoid medications... But had resorted to using Robetussin which did not help one bit. I had high hopes for ACV honey but so far that has not helped. Still looking for a way to deal with the day-time coughing, but at least I have found a way to get much needed rest! Thanks for this tip!
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Ken McClelland (Mims, FL / USA) on 01/02/2009
★★★★★
I'd heard that to get rid of a cough, rub a vigorous amount of Menthol Vapor Rub (Vicks) onto the bottoms of your feet before bedtime, and then cover with a pair of socks. Sounds weird I know, but anything is worth a try if you can't stop coughing. So I passed this on to my email list (I didn't have a cough myself or I'd have tried it), and within a week I heard back from two family members who'd had a constant coughing issue due to colds. The results were 100% in support of its effectiveness. A grandchild who could not get any rest due to coughing slept without a sound after her parents applied the Vicks. And one older relative who had not gotten any rest in days said they slept like a little baby after applying Vicks Vapor Rub to their feet bottoms before bedtime. I'm sold.
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Maryann (Morton, Illinois) on 11/11/2008
★★★★★
During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it. Some of us have used Vicks Vaporub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered it aren't sure why.
To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly.
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Vicki (Durban, South Africa) on 07/10/2008
★★★★★
Don't laugh, it really works! Found in an old herbal etc remedy book.
If you have a child or adult that keeps coughing at night, rub the underneath of the feet with the vicks vapour rub, put on socks to avoid messy bedding, and hey presto!...Knowledge is power, deep hunting for it.....regards from South Africa
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Dawn (Whitby, North Yorkshire) on 06/18/2008
★★★★★
YES. This is so wierd, how does it work? It definately does work though. You could have knocked me down with a feather when it did :)
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Hope (Sacramento, CA) on 03/07/2008
★★★★★
Last night I had a bad cough plus sore throat. I had tried the cayenne with water gargle and it worked , but I still had a cough. After seeing the vicks remedy on your site, I tried it and indeed, within 15 minutes , no more cough and ,in addition, I soon fell into a very deep and restful sleep!
Menthol Vapor Rub
Posted by Tisha (Houston, Texas)
★★★★★
I had pneumonia last year, and the worst time trying to get rid of the "Leftover" symptoms; i.e. cough. I was told to rub Vapor Rub on my feet, and put socks over it. To my amazement, it worked like a charm!!
