In case you missed it, Vicks VapoRub is a much more versatile ointment than just a deep decongestant. Probably we all remember the times as children when we caught a nasty cold, and our mothers had our chests rubbed with Vicks to relieve the coughing. It worked great!
Well, Vicks also helps with other problems. Some of the more astonishing include a remedy for treating cracked heels, muscles that ache, and even common warts!
The reason for his many health benefits is the ointment's mixture of oils. The combination of menthol, turpentine oil, eucalyptus oil, camphor, etc. is a potent prevention of septic, inflammatory and microbial properties in the organism.
Here are some of the most not-so-common methods of using Vicks VapoRub for a variety of health and well-being solutions.
#1: Using Vicks VapoRub for Cough Relief
Vicks VapoRub can be a potent treatment for instant coughs and colds. It helps relax the mucus thus clearing it from your body to offer immediate relief. Eucalyptus oil, camphor, and turpentine oil are robust in everything from throat pain to severe cough and related symptoms. Just rub your feet with Vicks and put on your comfiest socks. Leave them overnight. The next morning you should feel relieved from coughing.#2: Nasal congestion
VapoRub can also help you in reducing sinus congestion by clearing it up and reducing swelling. The same ingredients that we mentioned above can also work as an effective decongestant. To apply the ointment for congestion relief, simply rub it on your chest, throat, and forehead before going to sleep. Make sure to adequately cover the rubber area with a towel or a thick cloth. Repeat each night until you no longer have any congestion. You can also melt Vicks in hot water by boiling it for use as a steam inhalator. Heat it up, place a towel over your head and inhale. It is an excellent remedy for unclogging a blocked nose.#3: Cold Sores
As we said earlier, Vicks has excellent antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties that make it an incredibly effective remedy for treating cold sores. Just smear some Vicks VapoRub on the sore and leave it to dry. It will reduce the level of discomfort caused by the wound. Leave it like that for a few hours and then repeat the process. You should also use this method when you have a tingling sensation in a spot of your skin, typical for a future sore coming up. This approach can prevent the sore from turning into a blister.#4: Nail Care
Vicks can help you cure your nail fungus. And it is a much more natural treatment because it is based on thymol, an antiseptic, that can inhibit fungal growth in the nails. Just apply the ointment on the infected nail. Make sure to clean and dry your foot before the application. After the ointment is applied, cover it with a bandage and then wrap it with gauze or just wear a sock. Leave for 4-5 hours before changing the cream with a fresh dab. Do this two or three times per day. The treatment should take about a month of consistent application. After your new healthy nail starts growing strong, trim off the previous dark nail.#5: Cracked heels
Keep your heels soft, healthy, and smooth with Vicks VapoRub. Vicks has ingredients that act as natural emollients to moisturize the skin, keeping your heels smoother and softer. Just apply the ointment on your cracked heels and leave it overnight wearing socks. Make sure to massage your feet for five minutes for better placement gently. In the morning, wash it off with warm water. You can even grab an exfoliating stone to soften your skin. Repeat the process until complete healing.#6: Insect bites
If you dread those pesky mosquito bites in the summer, fear no more! The menthol ingredient in Vicks can prevent itching and discomfort in the area of the bite. Just apply the ointment on the place of biting and leave it to dry. The menthol can also offer a chilling sensation that acts soothingly on your skin. Furthermore, the firm scent of the ointment works as an effective repellent to any future posts that come flying in your area. If you go outside and want to prevent insect bites, make sure to bring along an open jar of Vicks VapoRub.#7: Removing common warts
Vicks VapoRub can work perfectly for removing warts on your skin. It has active ingredients that can kill the virus that causes warts. These ingredients include eucalyptus oil, methanol, and thymol. Start by making sure the wart-ridden parts of your body are completely dry. Apply the ointment on warts. It is best to wear it overnight while you can relax. If during the day, an hour or two is ideal until you need to replace the ointment. Repeat the process several times until the wart falls off. If the wart is in an uncomfortable place like your foot, then after applying Vicks, wear a sock or wrap a gauze around the place and avoid walking for an hour or two. Usually, the treatment lasts about a week time.#8: Headaches and muscles
Vicks VapoRub can help you increase blood circulation in your head and body by raising the temperature in the affected places. If you suffer from a sore muscle, this is an excellent way to relieve the pain from overuse. It can also be an effective way to treat a headache caused by sinus congestion or a migraine. Just massage Vicks on the aching parts of your body where the muscles hurt or if you suffer from a migraine then smear it on your forehead and temples and try to get a good night's sleep. Your body will be well rested in the morning. If the pain persists, repeat the process.#9: Remedy for Chapped Lips
Vicks VapoRub contains menthol, which is a natural lip plumper. It can speed up the healing of your chapped lips. Additionally, the jelly element can make your lips softer. Carefully smear some of the ointment on your lips and leave it overnight to heal. Wash it away the next morning. Make sure not to ingest the stuff accidentally. Another handy use of Vicks VapoRub is for healing chapped lips.#10: Smell Removal
Let's face it. There are a lot of times when you were in the middle of something nasty and just wished you could do something about that awful smell. Changing a diaper, taking out the trash, cleaning up after your pet, and many others. You try to hold your breath, hoping that the job will be done before you need another breath in, but can't hold on. Well, Vicks has a strong, mint-flavored odor that can lend you a helping hand. It can block most foul smells and could keep your nose distracted. Just apply some of the ointment just under your nose and feel how suddenly all of the bad smell goes away! Use caution by not letting any of the ointment get inside your nose. As a general rule, just use it a little bit.Other tips
- Vicks VapoRub can be used to reduce the visibility of stretch marks. One of Vicks's ingredients, eucalyptus oil specifically has anti-inflammatory properties and can help lighten stretch marks.
- You can use Vicks as a quick way to remove acne. The menthol ingredient in Vicks can dry out acne. It can also help relieve some of the pain and swelling.
- If you have a pet who likes to scratch your furniture or mark its territory in parts of your home that are off-limits, just rub a little Vicks on the spot, and your pet will avoid that place like the plague! Pets don't like the strong mint smell of Vicks.
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