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Around the year 2000 a nurse called into our syndicated radio show to tell us that she calmed nighttime coughs by applying Vicks VapoRub to the soles of her children’s feet. She then put socks on the kids to protect the bed sheets. She admitted that it sounded “wacky,” but she assured us that it worked for her and everyone she told about this cough remedy. But some readers find such a simple approach preposterous. It’s not just that they wonder why Vicks on the feet might help control a cough. They believe it’s impossible. Their philosophy seems to be: “I wouldn’t believe it even if it were true.”
A Reader Rejects the Idea of Vicks on the Feet:
Q. You have written that putting Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet can stop a nighttime cough. That’s pure fluff, or maybe written as an ad for Vicks. You haven’t bothered to provide any scientific information to support this claim.
Why Vicks on the Feet Could Help Control a Cough:
A. You are right that there have been no randomized controlled trials of putting Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet. Given the distinctive aroma of Vicks, we can’t imagine how you would find an appropriate placebo to conduct such a study. We also doubt that the manufacturer of Vicks VapoRub would want to spend millions of dollars to try and conduct such a trial. After all, Vicks has been on the market for more than 100 years.
You are not the only one to dismiss this home remedy. But we have received hundreds of testimonials from people who have found it helpful.
How might Vicks VapoRub work? One study published in the journal Drugs in Context (Oct. 11, 2023) identified the transient receptor potential channel TRPV4 as contributing to acute cough associated with rhinovirus infection. The scientists confirmed that certain ingredients (specifically menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil found in Vicks) activate TRPV4 as well as TRPV1 and TRPM8. They suggest that this activation could help reduce cough symptoms.
So, what’s a TRP channel and what are they doing on the feet? These channels modulate the passage of ions into cells, and they are found throughout the digestive tract as well as in the skin (Pharmaceuticals, Dec. 14, 2016). Nerves in the skin that detect temperature have generous supplies of TRP channels.
How Vicks on the Feet Works:
The scientists who published their research results in Drugs in Context describe the study this way:
“Vicks VapoRub has been a household name for over a century; however, despite its proven clinical efficacy, the pharmacology of its action is not well established. Nevertheless, it is widely used to relieve the symptoms experienced during a mild-to-moderate URTI [upper respiratory tract infection]. Here, we have shown through calcium signalling that the ingredients used in Vicks VapoRub interact with TRP channels involved in cough when used either individually or in combination. Furthermore, when airway epithelial cells are infected with hRV, there is an overall trend towards the reduction in ATP released when cells are treated with VVRIs [Vicks VapoRub Ingredients], either individually or in combination…When considered together, these results suggest that individual but differing VVRIs act on specific TRP receptors to varying degrees, thus maximizing the impact to reduce the multiple symptoms associated with an URTI infection. As such, these findings support the intended use of Vicks VapoRub, suggesting that the application of this treatment during an URTI may also provide a therapeutic effect and aid in the relief of the acute cough associated with mild URTIs.”
The People’s Pharmacy and Vicks VapoRub:
Our doubting reader suggested that our newspaper article about Vicks on the soles of the feet was “pure fluff.” He also went on to write that our article “maybe written as an ad for Vicks.”
We take no money from drug companies to promote their products. We promise that this is not an “ad for Vicks.”
Other Cough and Cold Remedies:
Most over-the-counter cough and cold remedies contain the oral decongestant phenylephrine, which the FDA recently admitted is ineffective. I wrote that this ingredient did not work as advertised over 50 years ago. You can read this sad saga in FDA oversight at this link.
Why aren’t readers up in arms over the billions of wasted money about such products. Questions have also been raised about the safety and effectiveness of dextromethorphan (DM), the ingredient in most OTC cough suppressants (Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Sept. 2000).
Why Vicks on the Feet Stirs Strong Emotions:
We have been writing about this remedy in our syndicated newspaper column or on this website for more than 20 years, and we are always amazed at the positive responses we receive. By now there are hundreds of reports of success. Here is a link to just one such article:
Vicks on the Soles of Your Feet Is Better Than Diamonds on the Soles of Your Shoes
The Skeptics Suggest Vicks on the Feet is Quackery:
Not surprisingly, online websites that seek to discredit home remedies and “rumors” have been quite negative about Vicks on the feet for cough control. One site labeled labeled this remedy a “whole load of nonsense.” The pharmacist who wrote this considers himself a skeptic fighting “the good fight against pseudoscience and quackery.”
The doubters offer the reasonable argument that there is no evidence to support the use of Vicks on the feet: nothing, nada, zip, bupkus! As far as we can tell, there has never been a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Vicks VapoRub smeared on the feet to treat cough symptoms. The manufacturer of Vicks seems content to sell the product without any changes to the labeling:
Vicks VapoRub Package Information:
OVERVIEW:
- “Adults and children 2 years and over:
- “For cough suppression
- “Rub a thick layer on throat and chest
- “Cover with a warm, dry cloth if desired
- “Keep clothing loose about throat and chest to help vapors reach the nose and mouth
- “Use up to three times daily or as directed by doctor”
A Novel Explanation for How Vicks on the Feet Could Work:
As a pharmacologist, I (Joe) had a hard time explaining how this old-timey remedy could possibly work when applied to the soles of the feet. I was thinking like a pharmacologist, not like a neurobiologist.
I assumed that the active ingredients in Vicks would have to be absorbed through the skin, get into the blood stream, circulate throughout the body and ultimately exert some sort of physiological effect on the cough center in the brain.
The Cough Center:
The part of the brain that controls coughing is way at the bottom of the brainstem in an area called the medulla oblongata. It is that part of the brain that manages automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, vomiting and sneezing. These are beyond our normal conscious control. The medulla borders on the spinal column. Remember that, because it could be very important in our explanation of the Vicks on the feet effect.
A New Theory of Nerve Stimulation to Control Coughs:
Our thinking about how Vicks VapoRub might be working to control coughs was stimulated a few weeks ago when we read about a novel explanation for muscle cramps. A Nobel prize winner, Rod MacKinnon, MD, and his colleague, Bruce Bean, PhD, are world-class neuroscientists. They demonstrated that muscle cramps are triggered by overstimulation of nerves.
Swallowing a beverage containing strong flavors such as ginger, cinnamon and hot pepper extract stimulated nerves in the mouth, throat and stomach. Within two minutes this nerve stimulation affected the spinal column and overwhelmed the nerves that were causing muscle cramps. They came up with a novel explanation for why so many visitors to this site report that a spoonful of mustard eases nighttime leg cramps.
You can read about their research at this link:
Joe’s New Theory of Vicks vs. Coughs:
The feet actually have lots of nerves. Ask any acupuncturist and she will tell you all about special meridians on the feet. Western medicine has very little understanding of how sensory nerves impact physiology. But Chinese healers have been aware of such pathways for centuries.
Neurobiologists MacKinnon and Bean discovered that stimulating sensory nerves in the mouth, throat and stomach could affect the spinal cord and abruptly stop muscle cramps in arms or legs. What if sensory nerves in the soles of the feet respond to stimulation with Vicks VapoRub by calming a nighttime cough? Remember that the cough center is right next to the spinal cord. If the sensory nerves in the soles of the feet stimulate the spinal cord, they might be able to interrupt the cough cycle.
We grant you that this is speculation on Joe’s part. It may be total nonsense. There is, as yet, no scientific evidence to support his theory. That said, we have an enormous number of reports from visitors to this website.
Here are just a few reports from readers:
Q. I was desperate last night for a way to help my child. He had a horrible hacking cough to the point of throwing up. I was afraid to put him to bed.
I saw a suggestion on your website for Vicks on the soles of the feet and gave it a try. Within ten minutes he was sound asleep and slept right through the night. I have six kids and wish I’d read about this long ago.
A. Many readers have offered testimonials like yours. You might want to put on thick socks after applying the Vicks so the sheets don’t get smeared with goo.
Other stories from visitors:
Karen in Wakefield:
“This definitely works. I tried it last night after suffering all day and night for two days. It was brilliant; the coughing stopped and I had a good nights sleep.”
Christine in Australia:
“My daughter told me this was rubbish and a hoax. I read on line that it was bogus but I have had a night cough for months. I had x-rays, etc. and finally tried the Vicks on the feet solution. It has totally worked! The foot idea, though new, produced the best results yet.”
Martinez in Macon County:
“I’ve been fighting some upper respiratory viral thing for a while now. I work around nurses and was told by one to put Vicks VapoRub on the bottoms of my feet that night. When you cough so much you cough up a lung, you’ll try anything.
“I tried it and slept like a baby. Didn’t do it last night, and coughed all night. I won’t skip it tonight!”
JazzyB in Great Yarmouth says Vicks “works a treat” (a British saying for works great):
“I am 24 and had a terrible cough for ages. I then remembered a post I saw about rubbing Vicks on your feet. I did it and it works a treat, It really surprised me that it worked. I would recommend this to anyone who has a annoying cough whilst trying to sleep at night. Does anyone know how it works? I am intrigued.”
JazzyB, we hope we offered you a plausible explanation above.
Is there a message here for doctors and skeptics? We suggest that just because no one has done a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial does not mean something does not work.
Trying to design a placebo-controlled study that involves smearing Vicks on the feet could be challenging given the distinctive aroma of this product. And just because there is no obvious explanation for how something works does not mean it is bogus. Many of the skeptics might be surprised to learn that lots of prescribed medications do not have an explanation for how they work.
You may find another article of interest:
Should Doctors Embrace Home Remedies?
Doctors frequently embrace pharmaceuticals even though there may not be a good explanation for how or why they work. It is not entirely obvious why diuretics or beta blockers lower blood pressure and yet hundreds of millions of prescriptions are written for such drugs each year. Even antidepressants may not be working the way researchers originally imagined. We don’t think there should be a double standard for pharmaceuticals and home remedies.
If you find home remedies intriguing even if no one has done experiments to test them or come up with a scientific explanation, you may wish to consult our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies. It is filled with intriguing stories and surprising science to support a number of cool approaches for common ailments.
Please add your own thoughts in the comment section below.
Ray
A week ago I started using Vicks on my feet for nail fungus. I saw big improvements in a week.
Much better than the prescription recommended that you paint on your nails. It’s recommended that you use it for at least a year.
The cost is about $1500. It has an effacy of about 7%.
No thanks. Go with the Vicks.
I’ll also try it on my feet next time I have a cold.
Dick
At 80 years old, I am proud to be a lifetime skeptic and cynic, yet I have had serious gastric issues involving reflux and regurgitation that result in persistent coughing, mostly at night. Desperation can lead to my trying anything as long as it doesn’t cost much and likely won’t be harmful. I just heard about VapoRub on the feet so tried it. Dang, it worked! While I’m still awakened by persistent coughing, the duration of those spells has been substantially reduced, resulting in better sleep and feeling much better in the morning.
John
I have been doing this for myself and my children for the last 20 years when we have a cough due to a cold. I searched about how it might work on the Internet and most all results claim it’s nothing short of quackery. I don’t know why it works. Is it psychological or does it have a scientific basis? But it works for me and my children. There seems to be no harm, and who knows, you may just get a good night’s sleep.
I have a cough from a cold as I am writing this. I was up at 1:00 this morning coughing my brains out. I decided to rub the Vicks on as I couldn’t stand it any more. Within 10 minutes I was asleep and woke up at 7:00 and didn’t cough once. Just because there’s no evidence that something may work, doesn’t mean it may not work. We simply may not have discovered the reason yet. Do we not even try?
Lots of people claim it works. Lots of people claim it doesn’t. We are all different. Some people can smoke their whole lives and live to a ripe old age. Some people do everything “right” and die young. We are a hugely complex organism, and we know so little still about a lot of our intricate nature. All I’m saying is the proof is that it works for a lot of people, and I stand as proof it works for me.
Don’t shut your mind to something just because others say it doesn’t work. You may just end up with a good night’s sleep.
Debbie
The human body is amazing and weird. I work in a profession where I start many IVs, flushing after placement with saline. A large number of my clients report being able to taste the saline (one says she can “smell” it) during the flush (1 reports being able to taste the medication). Where is the possible connection between IV saline and the olfactory/taste nerves?
Joy
Wish I would have heard of this when my 3 children were little, had many a sleepless night with them coughing. I tried various things but didn’t know about this until too late for me!
D W
I have suffered for years from itching of the back, invariably in places hard to reach. Four different dermatologists all had the same – almost stock-answer: dry skin. Finally, I found a dermatologist who thought it was a nerve problem. After reading about Vicks on the feet for cough, I figured there was nothing to lose to try it for the skin itching. It didn’t eliminate the itch completely but the itching was greatly reduced. The Vicks worked as well as any of the skin creams, and it is a lot easier to apply. Plus, it is far cheaper.
Madeline
Last year I suffered from a respiratory virus with a horrible cough. I was so desperate for night time relief I decided to try the Vicks on the feet remedy. Unfortunately I didn’t have Vicks but another similar product. Long story short it worked. I’m a believer.
Judy
I’m always amazed at people who won’t try a simple remedy because it hasn’t undergone a controlled trial. There is no downside to putting Vicks on your feet for a cough. Yet you always get these ridiculous comments from people who consider themselves superior because with no evidence they have decided the remedy is nonsense. It makes me wonder if the pharmaceutical companies hire people to make these comments on sites like this one.
Todd
I had been dealing with corona virus for 2 days, coughing most of the nite. I finally tried this. I have no sense of taste or smell, so I thought no way will this work. I am a complete believer now. Sometimes you can’t explain why.
Michael
I’ve also used Vicks just on the balls of the feet, and yes, IT DOES WORK. As a reflexologist it makes sense to me because the balls of the feet are the area for the lungs. One of the signs of a true scientific mindset is to be inquisitive and investigate, not just poo-poo something because it sounds strange.
I also used essential oils after having a sebaceous cyst lanced to assist the healing process. When I went back a week later for the doctor to check how it was doing his eyes nearly popped out, and he said “I’ve never seen a wound heal so quickly.” When I then told him I used essential oils I could see a fog-like covering descend over his eyes, as if blinds were being drawn, as if his mind simply could not process that information. Yeah, doctors don’t know everything.
Margi
I am a Registered Nurse > 30 years and know all about scientific methods, how trials are supposed to be done, etc. With that said, I can fully confirm this has worked for me. About ten years ago, I caught the latest viral respiratory bug and could not get rid of the cough, which most folks were keeping about 6 weeks. My path was looking the same; the head/nose symptoms, fever, and myalgias ended but NOTHING stopped the cough, especially at night. I had tried OTC and prescription cough medicine, Teslon Perles as well as lozenges and pineapple juice and nothing worked.
At the time my father was very ill, actually, dying from lung cancer, and my brothers and I were taking turns staying with our parents at night to assist with him getting up when he needed to. I had not been sleeping because of the cough, and I didn’t want my cough to keep him and my mother awake. I thought, what did I have to lose? I knew my parents had some Vick’s so I put it on the soles of my feet, put on socks and laid down and immediately started coughing, but within ten minutes, the cough STOPPED, and I went to sleep only awakening when hearing my father calling for me. I was THRILLED.
I use this every time I have a cough that is worse at night and recommend it to all my friends and family. I really don’t care how it works, just that it does.
Grace
This was recommended when my son was an infant and had a horrible cold. I tried it, and it worked. I was a skeptic too. I’ve continued to use it. Just recently we’ve both come down with a cold. Not a lot of coughing but really bad nasal congestion. I’ve put it on the soles of our feet, just a thin layer the last two nights, and “Voila,” the congestion is almost gone. We’re able to breathe clearly out of one nostril. Before that our noses were severely congested, couldn’t smell or breathe out our noses. Cough is gone. My roommate has refused to try it and continues to suffer. She is a scientist and doesn’t believe. We all became sick about the same time. I hope she gives credence to our success and tries it at least once. I’m going to share this article.
Jeanette
Michigan
I tried it also, and it really worked for both me and hubby!! No nighttime coughing; got rest to feel better! Who would’ve thought? !!!
darla
Kansas
I have had a non-stop bronchial cough for about two weeks. Went to the doctor, said it’s viral, take Musinex DM. I have been taking MDM and don’t get complete relief plus I hate putting all those chemicals into my body.
Feeling desperate, I decided to try the Vick’s on my feet. Did NOT cough ONE time during the night last night. Put it on this morning before work and have barely coughed at all. (my co-workers are relieved for that) It took about 30 minutes for my cough to settle down but then WOW, it is gone. (except for a few sputters here and there)
I would imagine it doesn’t work for some just like other meds work for some and not for others. I say it works and a much healthier alternative to other cough medications.
Heather
Concord NC
Doctors don’t know everything and sometimes they refuse to believe something simple may work but it does. It works better than any cough medicine. Someone mentioned Day time use. You can use it during the day as well. Just remember it may get on your shoes. If you’re coughing give it a shot. You have nothing to lose.
Patrick
PA
My wife has had a relentless cough for 5+ days. Dr. says no infection. It will pass. Night 5 – I’ve had enough. Suggest Vick’s on feet with socks. She gripes and shoos me away after 1 foot. 40 mins later I heard 1 short coughing spell as opposed to non-stop coughing. No idea why it works but it works. I’ve recorded results on my phone. Silence for past 30+ minutes.
Heather
TX
I do this for my youngest even when he has no coughing, but is heavily congested and can’t sleep because he can’t breathe well. Within minutes of applying the Vick’s to his feet he goes from loud, audible, choppy breathing and waking up every few minutes to toss and turn, to sleeping quietly and soundly. It’s amazing and so weird. I’m so grateful though!!
chris
U.S.
As many others have testified I too tried this remedy in desperation as a skeptic searching for a remedy for my night time coughing and congestion from a cold. I awoke in the morning refreshed, baffled and yet delighted to have realized that I slept through the night without so much as a sniffle, a tickle, or a cough. I did not even get my usual 3a.m. wake up call from a hot flash. Coincidence? Maybe. But I am going to continue to do this and see if it helps with my menopausal night sweats as well as the cold symptoms. I’ve got nothing to lose but I may just gain some long overdue sleep!
Patricia
Fort Worth, tx.
I remembered my Mother did this for me when I was a little girl and I decided to try it again tonight. She put the vicks on the bottom of my feet, put my socks on and then she had me hold my feet up to the small heater we had. I began to improve and the cough began to go away. I was able to go to bed and get some sleep. I am 66 now and have been coughing for several days now with a bad chest cold, and so I did this with the vicks and I started getting relief in just moments. I’m so glad I remembered this, I didnt know how much longer I could take this.
Christine
Florida
Why is the vick’s on feet only used at night and not during the day also to relieve cough? Wouldn’t same nerve effect happen? Almost all comments are about night use only. I’m going to try it during the day to see.
Kristin
Chicago
Just adding my two cents! Am currently sitting with Vicks on my feet after a 2 month long cough. Much needed relief- The tickle in my throat is almost gone! Yay!
Heath
Tokyo, Japan.
I tried the method in a moment of absolute desperation. I found that within a few minutes the cough had calmed down a lot. I would recommend the Vicks on feet method any day.
Dawn
Australia
I came across this online last night and after two nights of little sleep due to coughing from a chest cold, I was desperate and thought, why not give it a go! It didn’t completely remove my cough but tamed it back that I actually got through a good 5 hours of sleep only waking and coughing significantly less and am so thankful! I don’t know why it worked, all I know is it helped me get some sleep.
Jan
Michigan
The Vicks on feet idea seems so bizarre that I never tried it. I’ve never known anyone personally who tried it, either. But I’ve had a nagging, gagging cough for a week from a virus I had earlier this month, and I was awake all night with it on a couple of occasions. So last night I grabbed the Vicks and socks in desperation. I woke up this morning realizing I’d slept through the night with no cough! At first I just presumed it was coincidence, that the cough has gone away. But it hasn’t – I’ve been coughing on and off since I’ve been up today. I’m wondering if I should try putting more Vicks on for daytime coughing!
Mandy
Port Hedland, western australia
Nothing more to say than wonderdrug for coughing. I was coughing so badly and forgot about this remedy until a friend told me. Works like a charm. I still coughed occasionally but nothing like I was and today my head is clear and haven’t had much coughing. This is a real winner.
kevin m h
MD
I was a skeptic and thought it was crazy. It WORKS !!!!! for me anyway. The cost is very small, and the benefits are great.
Ryan
South Carolina
I have been using Vicks or similar menthol products on feet/chest for years, and I think it helps to ease coughs. If not, the tingly feeling is soothing! Regardless of he lack of scientific evidence for its actions, we take lots of things for granted without evidence (e.g., God), and that does not mean it doesn’t work.
Sue
Manchester UK
I started with a cough and cold on Thursday (it is now Saturday morning). Due to fly on holiday this coming Thursday. I don’t want to fly with this for the sake of the fellow passengers… but I don’t want to miss my holiday either. I mentioned to my husband that I had read about the Vicks on the feet and he just laughed at me.
But I tried it last night regardless and slept… so I’m sat here with it on this morning and hoping for the best. Weird.
Amanda
Manitoba
So I read this and tried. I am still hacking. not sure why it works for some and not for others.
Curt
Nevada
Have had deep chest congestion with unbelievable amount of mucous for the past three weeks. Doctor called it chronic bronchitis. Wanted me to keep using guaifenesin Mucinex. I instead put a large amount of Vicks VapoRub on my chest, and then my wife put plastic wrap over that, and I went to bed. Almost amazing that my chest congestion was virtually gone the next morning. I had forgotten about putting the Vicks on my feet since I had told my brother to do that a couple of years ago, which worked for him. A miracle cure – be it on the feet or chest.
Carol
Sussex
I do not care what anyone thinks nor am I here to explain why Vicks works! Science is just that, an explanation that sometimes cannot even be fully explained. My thing is, six years ago whilst battling a cough a friend suggested this as a way to help, and it worked. I could not explain why but have since begun using this on my two kids, with great results.
What has made me research this now on the net is that I have been battling a terrible bout of the flu and, as a last resort, I returned to this remedy. For two nights I woke because each time my night wear was soaked (not sure why I sweated so much) but now the terrible symptoms have subsided. Do not say or try to explain this as me sweating from the wearing of socks because on previous times when I have worn the socks I have never awakened dripping in sweat! I don’t care for an explanation. I am just thankful for relief from this horrible flu that took me out. Whatever happened during both those nights has meant that I am now able to function, and if Vicks is the reason for it then I thank you Mr. VapoRub!
Jack
AL
This is the dumbest thing I’ve read all day.
Sandi
Michigan
I have been sick for about 3 weeks. Hacking up a lung with Bronchitis. Someone suggested Vicks on the bottom of my feet then socks. She is a nurse. She said she didn’t know how or why but it sooths the cough and clears your head. I did it and could immediately feel the effects. I could almost taste the Vicks so I do believe it is absorbed through the skin into the blood and helps alleviate many symptoms. I still did cough and wheez but was much better. The biggest benefit has been that my head finally cleared so I can breath, smell and taste. I have it on my feet again tonight. I am amazed. Thankful to have been told about this. Found your site trying to figure out how and why this works so wanted to share my story. It’s true, it really does wonders.
Richard
Nottingham, England
Sweating is a normal symptom of a feverish illness such as flu. Nothing to do with Vicks or anything else, it’s called a febrile crisis and usually precedes resolution of the illness. (Trust me, I’m a doctor)
Tammy
New york
Hey all you folks with chronic coughs and a tibiotic’s arent working. My husband of 40 yrs came down with just such a cough, that wasted time,when he should ha e had a cat scan. They xrayed and said it was pneumonia, put him on antibiotic’s that was in july last year. Antibiotics did nothing for him. By September they finally decided, hey maybe not pnemonia… sent him for a scan and found advanced lung cancer. Please dont waste time dealing with and waiting for antibiotic’s to help. Insist on a cat scan. My husband put up a good fight but sadly he passed feb, 23 2017. Seven short months from the time he fell ill.
Dee
Missouri
Last night, I was struggling with a nagging cough and chills, and my feet ached. I rubbed Vicks on my feet ( soles and tops) and put a pair of socks on. For whatever reason, I slept like a baby – with no coughing.
I recalled some people put Vick’s on their feet, but couldn’t remember why. In researching it this evening, I found your website.
I also found a side benefit. As a diabetic, my feet sometimes burn and itch. After applying Vick’s, I found some much needed relief. In fact, they have felt better all day – so much so that I applied Vick’s (and slipped on a warm pair of socks) again this evening. I’m looking forward to another good night’s sleep!
vicki
Cumbria
I am currently sat with Vicks on my feet and slipper socks. I am absolutely full of cold/flu and this has helped me so much. Modern medicine does not yet have the answers for how or if alternative therapies work, but if it works, fantastic.
Juiced
Baton Rouge
Had this suggested to me by the nurse at my primary care’s doctors office. Have had a viral respiratory infection for almost a week before I went to the doctor. Delayed going because it was getting better then it took another downturn returning me to 100+ fevers and coughing my lungs out. Tried it when I got home this afternoon and it allowed me to sleep like a baby for 5 hours, the longest period of straight sleep I’ve had since this started. Not sure if the relief is only in my head or if there is something at work here that can’t be seen, but it worked for me. Going to reapply to my feet after posting this and try to get a few more hours of sleep to try to get rid of this virus.
Hunter
AR
I’m 21 yrs old and have 5 siblings. All my childhood my dad would put vaporub on the bottoms of our feet at night to stop coughing. His mother did it to him. My sister does it to her kids. And i still put it on my feet. It really works. I’ve been dealing with a cough for nearly a week and this is the only way I can sleep!
Elias
Madison, WI
JAN 15, 2018, Madison, WI
Wife coughing uncontrollably this morning – remembered this tip. Applied and rubbed Vicks on her feet and put on some warm socks. She’s back asleep and haven’t heard a cough since – time to go shovel some snow.
Jan
Manchester
I was given this advice from a healthcare professional today after having a hacking cough for three weeks. I rang 111 (uk) and this is what the nurse from Medicall told me when she called me back – Vick on the soles of my feet and on my lungs at the back. Prop myself up in bed, drink honey and Lemon and Vimto to give me energy in between. (Not at night) Decrease caffeine intake.
Husband put the Vic on ten mins ago. I’m in bed and already I feel my airways are clearer and cough subsiding. Will let you know tomorrow. Am excited not to be filling my body with harsh chemicals. Fingers crossed. Watch this space.
Jen
Yorkshire
I’ve had flu last 3 days and the coughing was getting unbearable I remembered rubbing my grandsons feet with vicks so did the same for myself and it worked my husband said I slept and did not cough. I’ve just done it again for last night and no coughing however husband said I snored ,anyone got a remedy for snoring ?
Linda
cheshire
My daughter has currently got a chest infection and flu and was coughing all night non stop. The night after she put Vick on soles of her feet and she didn’t cough once all night. Now I’ve just tried it this evening after having a sudden unexpected cough and since applying it on my feet I haven’t coughed once!. ??
Wrote on 12th Jan 2018.
I believe this actually works, brilliant!!.
Val A
Gloucestershire
I agree that using Vicks on the soles of the feet at night stops coughing and helps breathing – giving a good night’s sleep. However, after using this method for three consecutive nights, the ankle I broke in 2013 started aching where the metal plates are fixed, and caused my ankle to keep giving way. I had to start using crutches and stop putting this foot to the ground. I considered that the Vicks might be responsible – ridiculous though it seemed!
I stopped applying the Vick’s and the ankle is improving. No crutches needed.
What possible explanation can there be for this phenomenon?
Manish
Mumbai, India
I never believed such remedies will work. I considered Vick’s to be very mild even on toddlers, so rubbing on feet and getting relief was nowhere convincing. I still tried this on my 2 year old kid since last night he was coughing like hell and was vomiting because of that. I applied Vick’s on his feet and he slept whole night without a single cough. looked like miracle. I was also having severe coughing to the point it hurt so badly that I did not wanted to sleep so I can avoid coughing. I tried this Vick’s on my feet and I slept like a baby without a single cough. Today I’m trying this in day time but it’s not helping. It works best during sleep.
Hannah
Quebec
This phenomenon is well known in French aromatherapy. The reason is that the large number of nerve endings in the feet carry the substance quickly into the bloodstream. Vick’s is basically a commercially produced aromatherapy treatment – eucalyptus, thuja, nutmeg and a few other mucolytic and expectorant oils in a salve base, which helps the lipophilic essential oils enter our skin more effectively.
I’m no scientist, but I offer you the following interesting experiment. Rub a cut clove of garlic on the sole of your foot. In about 20 minutes – garlic breath! Not to discredit the effect of meridians and energy medicine which I hold in great esteem. But there’s a simpler explanation behind this one. ;-)
Maxine
Milton keynes
I tried Vicks on my feet last night after nights of coughing and no sleep, it worked went to sleep and didn’t wake all night, will definitely do this again.
Sarah
Wales
Ever thought it’s because your feet usually stay warm, helping the menthol vapours waft up under the covers into your nose? You don’t drain mucus from your nose into your throat. Ergo, you don’t cough.
jimmy
If it doesn’t or does work at least I tried. Different things work for different people and different parts of them,And I will try almost anything at this point.
Judy
Massachusetts
I have been using Vick’s Vaporub on the soles of my feet for coughs since I was a child, and I’m now in my mid-60’s. It has always worked for me! Since I would prefer a topical vs. an oral remedy, this is also a plus for me.
Martha Marie Lofton
MS
I have done this for my coughing but use the off brand (I guess that is why I haven’t stopped coughing). But the socks I wear get so black in the morning, and it is hard to get them back to being white. It does help a little with the off brand but will go get the real thing and continue the socks treatment at night. I love Vicks because it helps with my breathing at night.
Lee
Northumberland
I have twin daughters and both had bad coughs which they had for over a week. I put vics on the feet of one and not the other as I ran out, and she slept like a log! After her sister carried on coughing for another 2 hrs, I popped to our late night coop and bought some more and did the other twins feet, bingo. I tried this the other way around the following evening and the same result!! The one I put the vics on stopped coughing but the other twin carried on until I put the Vics on! The joys of having kids to carry experiments out on!!
Sandy
Garland, Texas
I have had a chronic cough for more than five years. I have been to ENT’s and lung specialists. I would cough till I hurt. My sister told me to try vicks vapo rub on the bottom of my feet and wear socks.
I tried it and got relief the very first night. This is my third night and I still am not coughing. Thank God for Vicks Vapo Rub.
Patsy
Paris,Texas
I’m a 72 years of age..this works,putting Vicks Vapor Rub on the bottom of your feet.
I was coughing,and my throat was to the point ,of not being able to swallow, plus a running nose. I put it on my feet, put socks on, when I got up the next day, my throat, running nose, and my coughing, was as if I never had the problems at all.
Thank the Lord,I tried this, it really really works..
Viv
Southwest
I am 60+ years old and having been using the Vick’s remedy on my feet for over 30 years. A friend told me about it and sure enough it really works. At first I thought she was crazy, but after the first try, I was stunned at how well it worked. After all these years, it is my go to when I have a nagging night time cough. I would rather do this than take otc medications that offer some relief (maybe), and other complications. It bothers me that good old fashioned remedies are pooh poohed by so called professionals. Hey, it works and that’s all that matters.
Dr. Michelle
USA
I haven’t tried this yet but wanted to comment that the ‘lack of evidence to support’ does not mean it doesn’t work. Pharmaceutical companies won’t pay for research that doesn’t benefit them financially. And the people who make cold medicines certainly aren’t going to support a more efficient, effective and cheaper product no additional side effects. Science is great. But so is common sense.
Sherryl
Saudi Arabia
my 3 yr old son has cough and cold and can’t sleep. I browsed in the internet if vicks vaporub is safe for toddlers. I’ve read that it should be applied on feet, rub and put socks on…i followed that…and after few minutes, he fell asleep and no more cough and colds!!!
Sandra
Fredericton
I have been coughing night and day for 13 days. I am totally exhausted from sitting up all night. I have tried all the over-the- counter meds: expectorants, suppressants, day and night-time pills, a humidifier, nasal spray, and still I cough constantly. I have to go to the doctor in two days, and I will ask for antibiotics because this obviously isnt just a cold. Now I sit here in my reclined love seat with vicks applied to my feet and covered by warm socks. we shall see what happens. the sensation itself is very warm and comforting but will it stop the hacking ? I guess we’ll see, won’t we?
Brogan
England
So desperate right now! Sick of waking up at 6:00am on my days of not working! Let’s hope it works
Dawn
Las Vegas
I’m about to try it now. Desperate times, desperate measures! Fingers crossed.
Elaine
Halifax, N.S.
I didn’t believe this either, but out of sheer desperation, after several nights of coughing, I gave it a try, and yes, I slept through the entire night. I am now a believer.
Love
Cavite, Philippines
We Filipinos are doing it all the time, and it is proven effective. In Chinese reflexology and accupressure, you will be relieved from cough, colds and sinusitis by pressing the accupressure points at the foot. Maybe Vicks is also absorbed through these points. This also helps me and our baby every time we have nasal drips.
Lisa
Australia
I was one of those naysayers…..Vicks on your feet, rubbish! Well, being in the middle of a bad case of “man flu” which is obviously much more serious when you’re a woman……the dry hacking cough was horrendous so I looked up the how to ease a cough & overwhelmingly it lead to Vicks on the bottom of feet. I couldn’t wait for bed so I slapped some on about 2 hours before & within 15 minutes – no cough?! Could this really be happening? Slapped a bit more on both feet before jumping into bed & slept through to 5am, niggling cough stared up again so I hopped out & put some more Vicks on my feet & slept another 3 hours cough free! Thanks Vicks.
Alvin
I have a 5 year-old son and 7 year-old daughter. They had a really bad cough for 2 days. At night it worsened. My wife read online an article from a Chinese man about rubbing Vicks on the feet of his children and covering with socks to cure coughs. She tried this on both of my kids before they went to bed. I was surprised they didn’t cough all night and slept peacefully.
Alvin
Fiji
I have a 5 year son and 7 year daughter. They had a really bad cough for 2 days. At night it worsened. My wife read online an article from a chinese man rubbing vicks on the feet of his children and covering with socks to cure coughs. She tried this on both of my kids before they went to bed. I was surprised they didn’t cough all night and slept peacefully.
Cierra
California
In response to medications not working the way doctors initially mean them to but yet still support them: one great example would be mirtazapine. It’s an antidepressant, but works GREAT for an appetite stimulant for cats! I am sure there have been many other medications with similar stories.
Puy the Vicks on both my fert and my son’s about an hr and a half ago. No more coughing…And less stuffy nose too!
Jen
Vt. USA
My husband has lung issues that present them selves several times a year. Last night he was coughing so bad tha he was going to go downsrairs to sit up in the recliner, I send id heard of Vicks vapor rub on the feet we tried it and he slept ALL NIGHT no coughing. Completely amazing!
Pamela
Wisconsin
I have had a chronic and persistent cough for a few years now. I was so bad that I didn’t get any sleep day or night. I tried the Vicks and it is a god sent.
Within minutes, I am cough-free and can sleep. I put off trying it for a long time and now could kick myself. Better late than never.
Sara
Stoke on Trent
I’m asthmatic and whilst I wouldn’t dream of giving up any of my meds, I’d just like to say that my asthma is particularly bad at the moment and I’ve not been getting much respite from coughing for days now, to the point of retching. I have put Vick on both feet in desperation about 30 minutes ago and I am seeing a significant reduction in coughing. Might actually get some sleep then. Goodnight all and thankyou
noor
pakistan
Whatever the reason is but I personally used Vicks vaporub and my cough and congestion was no more the whole night and the next day was really symptom free.
I applied on my soles and covered the feet in stockings. Also applied on chest and on the back and neck with sinuses and below nose. There was no cough the whole night and I was cogh free the next day as well.
EmmaB
Hastings, UK
I’ve been doing this for about a year and will never go back to conventional remedies. I have told everyone I know whenever they say they or their children have that uncontrollable dry spasmodic night cough and EVERY TIME they thank me in shock! My mother uses a hormone cream for the menopause and now also puts this on her feet (the arch works best for us and that’s where I recommend when doing the vapour rub to your feet) and she says the cream works so much better now too. Could it be because the skin there is thin and so absorbs so well, aligning with the nerve combo? Either way, we love it.. And I for one am SO glad someone wasn’t too embarrassed to share this little gem of ‘crazy’.
Peryl L.
Pennsylvania
I have had a cough, sinus headache and congestion for the past week. A friend at work suggested putting Vicks on the bottom of my feet and covering with socks. I have done this twice now and slept better than I have in a long time. I wake up throughout the night numerous times tossing and turning (even when I am not sick) but the nights I tried the Vicks on my feet I slept sound, not waking up until my alarm went off. However, this morning when I woke up I felt drugged (in a sense that I just couldn’t keep my eyes open) which brought me some concern which is what led me to this website. Any thoughts?
laura
what do you think
Ann F
Hegins
I tried this treatment and to my surprise it WORKED!!!!!! I was at the dr. And got cough medicine and pills and nothing stop the cough. So I decided what would it hurt to try the Vicks, Well I had the best night sleep that I had in a long time. I will tell everyone about this and hope it works for you like it did for me. Thanks Vicks vapor rub.
Bernie
MN
Yesterday came down with chest cold. Miserable cough last night. Finnaly got up and dug out the Vicks Vaporub. I heard about rubbing on feet. So sick I thought what do I Have to lose. Rubbed on chest, throat and soles of feet. 10 min later fell asleep and never coughed rest of night.
Geeorgina
Indiana Pa. 15701
I really didn’t think this would work on a medical related dry cough …but I have tried it and to my surprise it WORKS!! I Also take a tbsp. RAW UNREFINED HONEY at bed time sleep like an angel !!!
Cindy
Florida
Not only does it ease coughing when rubbed on feet, it also helps ease the pain of an earache when put on a cotton ball and placed in the ear. It seemed to help my grandson, anyway.
Renata
Ontario
Well, I used it on my feet last night. I have a horrible cough, and I am very congested. Put a generous amount on my feet, put my socks on, and went to bed. I got a very good nights sleep, without a lot of coughing, and when I woke up, the congestion had eased up and I am even coughing less this morning. I will use it again tonight, as it seems to be working well for me.
veronica
Pennsylvania
Three of the ingredients in Vicks are Camphor, Eucalyptus and Menthol which are all cough suppressants the feet as any other part of our body are capable of absorption. So it goes without saying that the body is absorbing the ingredients and suppressing the cough as the ingredients suggest.
Tish
TX
Actually I rub it on the inside of my lower legs below the knee. Within seconds I experience a cool sensation in both lungs. Minutes later I am no longer coughing and stuffiness is gone. Brand name works best, don’t get the cheap knockoffs… It’s wonderful fast relief…
ebm
Florida
WHAT.??? Most of these people had a dry, hacking cough! Nothing
“coughs” up anyway. If you would rather stay up all night and hack
away, see how you’d feel without sleep, sleep is healing and
cleansing. How can anybody scoff at such a simple remedy?!
Cate
St Petersburg, Florida
I have an interesting theory as to why Vicks on the soles of the feet work to calm cough at night. As an RN, and Acupuncturist it always tickles me when a East & West connect …. in Traditional Chinese Medicine the kidney is responsible for inhalation, the lung governs exhalation. The Kidney Meridian begins on the sole of the foot, between the second and third metacarpal bones, approximately one third the distance between the base of the second toe and the heel. Which is exactly where it was suggested I put Vicks the first time I tried it!
Madashell
I do have one concern about suppressing a cough…..coughing brings up mucus and other gunk that isn’t good for the lungs. I understand the need for a good night’s sleep and I’m certainly going to try it. But wouldn’t prolonged suppression of coughing contribute to complications?
FR
Tx
If Vicks is used and covered with socks can it still be smelled? The problem: my old soldier used Vicks in unbearably awful situations to cover the stench of war. He really doesn’t like using Vicks for any reason. If he couldn’t smell it that would be ok.
Alternatives?
Kimberly
illinois
Maybe it’s not suppressing the cough but making so the cough is no longer necessary? No proof, but just a thought. Maybe it helps with mucous production. Maybe it is acting as a bronchodilator and this allows the mucous to be moved out more efficiently. I know, I know I am reaching. Eucalyptus has always been our go to with respiratory problem. Lately, we’ve been adding a little peppermint oil as well.
John
IL
“Many health professionals doubt that Vicks on the feet could stop a cough.” People who talk this way, and think they are presenting a “scientific” view, are victims of a fundamental misunderstanding. In science, FACTS are primary.
If a child (or adult) is subject to repeated coughing fits, and applying the Vicks as described ends the fits, that observation is an initial FACT. If using the Vicks works time after time, that’s a more established FACT. If lots of other people report the same results, that’s a pretty solid FACT.
Just because the FACT is not readily explained by some professional’s belief system does not weaken the FACT in the slightest. Even observations, such as that of an earlier responder in this thread, that the Vicks does not *always* work, does not weaken such an established FACT; it just raises the interesting question of what the differences are in such cases.
In any case, with something like this, where a measure works reliably (or doesn’t) for *individuals*, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are inapplicable. Such studies are needed for things like blood pressure meds, where it may take a while to determine whether a drug is working for a given person. Then the randomized, placebo-controlled apparatus is needed to find out whether such a drug is *likely* to work for an individual.
“The doubters offer the reasonable argument that there is no evidence to support the use of Vicks on the feet…! They are totally right…” NO THEY’RE NOT. As explained, OBSERVATIONS are evidence, and when there are lots of independent, mutually corroborating observations, that is the solidest kind of evidence.
“Is there a message here for doctors and skeptics? We suggest that just because no one has done a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial does not mean something does not work.” Exactly! Since People’s Pharmacy deals with many things like this, it is crucial to keep in mind that the people who say, “If _I_ can’t explain something, it doesn’t exist!” are simply off base and need to be reminded about how science actually operates.
Thank heavens that People’s Pharmacy is here to help us all learn about things like Vicks on the feet for coughs. It is pathetic that the earlier responder “trained in medicine”, who himself learned the hard way that the Vicks works, had to acknowledge, “Because of the guidelines, and regulations, physicians can’t tell patients about this remedy…”. Once again, thank heavens that People’s Pharmacy!
Marla
South Carolina
I used this numerous times on my husband and me. It worked but I didn’t know if it was due to a placebo effect (and I didn’t really care as long as it worked). However, our nieces were staying with us a couple of years ago and they both had a nagging, tickle-type cough. One night the oldest niece was coughing in her sleep.
I went in her room, put Vick’s on the soles of her feet and put socks on her. She didn’t cough the rest of the night. The next night, it was the youngest niece who was coughing. I did the same to her and she didn’t cough any more that night. Neither of the girls knew that I had put the Vick’s on their feet so the placebo effect seemed less likely. Regardless of the reason, I’m just glad that it works.
Robin
North Carolina
I do this regularly. I apply Vicks on my feet whenever I have a cough. It does work. There is another benefit that I received by doing this. My feet became really soft. I have always had a problem with dryness on the soles of my feet. They would crack and peel, always in the winter months or the middle of the summer. I would end up with a horrendous cough from allergies and sinus infections. The Vicks on my feet with socks not only would help with my cough, but it helped the skin on the souls of my feet as well.
Liz
Epsom England
This is a reflexology trick, way back in the 1990’s training for reflexology we were taught this then, so it was well known before us. The foot is a reflection of the whole body and putting Vicks on feet is often better for children who do not like the smell up by their face. Round the toes (including backs) and front of foot – chest/breast area of the body. Never fails to work.
Nam
Westminster, CA
I was trained in medicine and always have a scientist’s mind, and I never believed in this.
About 10 years ago I had a real bad cold and coughed uncontrollably day and night. My wife kept telling me to apply Vicks at nights so we both can sleep. I kept telling her it will not work, don’t even try it.
She waited until I felt into sleep, she applied Vicks to both of my feet and pulled my socks back on (I knew but because I was so tired, I just let her finish) and I slept like a baby that night.
In the morning, I thanked her and said I was wrong all along, I thought it never would have worked. I applied another layer of Vicks to both of my feet and went to work. All day that day I did not cough at all. I did the same thing the next few nights and days and my cough just never came back.
I told my colleagues and they were real surprised and some of them tried this technique themselves and agreed with me. Because of the guidelines, and regulations, physicians can’t tell patients about this remedy but their office employees can.
Kathryn Oths
Tuscaloosa, AL
Andeans highlanders have used this and similar remedies for decades, perhaps centuries. They say it ‘pulls out’ congestion from the feet. Also, they often use hot foot baths with eucalyptus, lemon, salt and alcohol to the same effect. (I published an article on this in the mid-90’s.)
Peggi Hunter
Virginia
I tried this treatment, and every other we heard about, with my daughter when she was young (5-10) because she would cough until she threw up. The foot vapor rub did not work for her, but we found very dark chocolate helped somewhat. Now I know to drink thyme tea!