Loading...
We have no idea why someone first experimented with Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet. We do know that whenever we publish a story about putting Vicks on the feet for a nighttime cough we hear from skeptics who insist that this is a placebo effect. Since there are no scientific studies to prove otherwise, we shrug and say that it works for us and a lot of readers of our syndicated newspaper column. Now we can add that a doctor recommended Vicks on the feet for a nighttime cough and told his patient that it works for him.
A Reader Shares Her “Magic”:
Q. I was struggling with a cough for six weeks, especially at night when I was lying down. After two fruitless visits to urgent care, I finally went to my primary care doctor.
He diagnosed walking pneumonia and prescribed a powerful antibiotic and some meds to heal my throat, because it was irritated from the coughing. When I told him about how bad it was at night, he recommended Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of my feet when I went to bed. I thought he was joking, but he told me it worked for him and urged me to give it a try.
I did so that very night and I’m telling you it was like magic! I had gotten up five straight nights to sit up because my coughing was so bad. I slept through the night with Vicks with little to no coughing every night thereafter.
A. Thanks for sharing your success story! Eucalyptol, thymol and menthol are ingredients in Vicks, and they can help ease a cough. The question is why apply it to your feet? These compounds activate transient receptor potential (TRP) channels found in nerves that are plentiful in the soles.
You will learn more about Vicks and other nonprescription approaches to calming a cough in our eGuide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu. You can find this online resource under the Health eGuides tab.
The “Niece Study” Of Vicks on the Feet:
Q. I had a pretty mild cold about a week ago that turned into a nasty cough. The sore throat, sneezing and congestion disappeared within three days but this darn cough won’t let go. It keeps waking me up at night. Cough medicine doesn’t help. Do you have any remedies that might let me get a decent night’s sleep?
A. A remedy that has a lot of support from readers is Vicks VapoRub smeared on the soles of the feet.
Here is just one of many stories we have received:
“I have used Vicks numerous times for 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, so long as it worked).
“Our nieces were staying with us a few years ago and they both had a nagging cough. One night the older niece was coughing in her sleep. I went in her room, put Vicks on the soles of her feet and put socks on her. She didn’t cough the rest of the night.
“The next night, the younger niece was coughing. I did the same to her and she didn’t cough any more that night either. Neither of the girls knew that I had put the Vicks on their feet so the placebo effect seems unlikely.”
Vicks Calmed a COVID Cough:
Q. I had a very mild (but long lasting) case of COVID-19 last year. I am fully vaxxed and boosted. Although it was less troublesome than a cold, it did induce a dry cough that made it hard to sleep.
Vicks VapoRub to the rescue! Actually, I used a house brand and slathered it on the soles of both feet. Then I put on my thick socks and was relieved to find the coughing minimized. I hope others get the same benefit.
A. We’re glad you have recovered fully from COVID-19. Many people report a lingering cough that may last several months.
Thank you for sharing your success story with Vicks VapoRub. We have heard from many readers that this approach can be helpful against coughs related to colds or influenza. You are the first to report using it against a COVID-related cough. There is more information about Vicks and other cough remedies in our eGuide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu.
A Semi-Scientific Hypothesis for Vicks on the Feet:
The soles of your feet are loaded with nerves. We hypothesize that the camphor and menthol (and possibly other ingredients in Vicks) stimulate TRP (transient receptor potential) channels in the sensory neurons in the feet.
When these nerves are activated they send messages to the spinal cord. We suspect that those messages calm the cough center, just above the spinal cord. This might well explain how a cough quiets so quickly with Vicks on the feet.
You can read much more about Joe’s hypothesis about Why Vicks on the Feet Calms a Cough here:
More Reports from Readers About Vicks on the Feet:
Robin in North Carolina got an added bonus:
“I do this regularly. I apply Vicks on my feet whenever I have a cough. It does work.
“There is another benefit that I receive 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 soles of my feet as well.”
Nam in Westminster, California, was a skeptic…until:
“I was trained in medicine and always have a scientist’s mind. 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 on the feet at night so we both could sleep. I kept telling her it would not work. Don’t even try it.
“She waited until I felt asleep. 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 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 surprised. Some 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.”
Learn More:
You will find more remedies in our eGuide to Colds, Coughs and the Flu. We describe another “experiment” with Vicks on the feet to calm a cough. You will also get more scientific detail on the potential mechanism for this unique approach. If you would like to know more about the herbs Andrographis paniculata and Astragalus membranaceus, this eGuide is right up your alley. There is information about zinc and elderberry as well as thyme tea. You will also learn about the antiviral drug against influenza, baloxavir (Xofluza). You can find this eGuide under the Health eGuides tab.
Share your own Vicks VapoRub story in the comment section below.
Patricia
I have Neuropathy in my feet and night time cramps in my legs!
Vicks to the rescue for the movements and pain in my feet. I also had leg cramps at night. A tablespoon full of mustard before bed took care of that.
Leslie
I had a toe nail fungus and was given a Rx for 90 days that foot doctor said might cause liver damage and might not get rid of the fungus. I asked my internal medicine and he said the Rx be ok to take and casually suggested Vicks. I used Vicks nightly with piece of plastic over the Vicks to keep it from coming off on my sox. I think my body heat and plastic helped Vicks penetrate better. Toes look great after four months. Heels look great also!
Jeff
There is no real (as opposed to anecdotal) evidence that Vick’s does *anything* applied *anywhere,* with the exception of a cooling sensation and slightly less subjective discomfort. See, the thing is, in science, we actually find out if things work–it’s called “experimentation”; it’s part of the scientific method; you may have heard of it–*before* we go looking for semi-plausible explanations. There is no such experimental evidence showing that Vick’s works at all, much less on the feet
Of course, if you have good evidence (again, not just people saying “hey it worked for me”) that Vick’s can shorten colds or flu, I would be delighted to see it, and would apologize profusely.
Terry Graedon
Jeff, we’d love to see a randomized controlled trial of Vicks for cough. I’m not sure how you would find an appropriate placebo, though.
John
I have heard that if you rub garlic on the soles of your feet, the smell of garlic will be on your breath in half a minute or less.
Avie
After retiring my husband & I became Snowbirds & went to work at Disney World in fast food. It required me to be on my feet on concrete floors. Not being used to a standing job, my feet & legs hurt so bad, sleep was impossible. Someone told me to apply Vicks to my feet & legs to above my knees. After a short period of time, the soreness was drawn out for welcomed relief.As I became used to being on my feet, I was able to discontinue The Vicks Fix.
John
I tried it awhile back. Mixed some activated charcoal with it and used dark socks. Not sure if it helped. This reminds me, think I’ll try again.
A coworker just told me it helps with her ear pain. She swears by Mentholatum instead.
There are some foot pads with activated charcoal or ginger that are thought-provoking. I haven’t tried them yet. And someone mentioned garlic. Wonder if tea tree oil added to Vicks would help?
HGS
When I was a young child, my mother always spread Vicks on my chest whenever I had a cough or cold. Today, I am an opera singer. Recently I overvocalized the day before a performance, and with great anxiety, was noticeably hoarse I thought about the Vicks and spread a little just below my nose when I went to bed. The menthol felt very soothing in my lungs as I breathed. The next day I was fine. Better than ever.
Mary J
I’m wondering why doctors fail to pay attention to the reasons that a “placebo” works. Actually, I’m not wondering, because I know that they don’t pay attention to placebos because nobody makes any money that way.
Luke
I had horrible bronchitis which occurred when I tried to sleep. Vicks on feet with white socks was better than anything I ever took including prescription.
Stephanie
Colorado
Wondering if Vicks would calm the irritable cough from taking Lisinipril??? Anyone out there try it for that???
carol
durham nc
I use Vicks on my entire foot (feet) every night I work. It keeps the skin on my feet soft, combats nail fungus and keeps me from coughing. I’m wondering if it is safe to use Vicks on a constant basis…3 consecutive nights one week and 2 consecutive nights X 2 the next week.
Would appreciate any information you might have about the safety of regular Vicks applications.
Paul
Florida
I found that I had a night cough because I was allergic to something in my toothpaste. I think it is the teethwhitening chemical. When I changed toothpastes, my cough went away. Then I got another cough and realized that I was allergic to my laundry detergent. After changing that to the white bottle, Tide, I no longer have nighttime coughs.
Judy A
I’ve been using this remedy and the soap in bed remedy for years! Recommend both to friends and family. Those who try and get results praise these methods, those who don’t try or have first time failures are the losers.
Ginnie Siena Bivona
I love the idea of the “Placebo Effect”…to me that just proves how powerful our brains really are. And what do I care if it’s “all in my mind” Hey! If it works, and I feel better mission accomplished.
lashika
san frca,ca
vicks vaporub it really works for that matter, Im in my seventies but remember my mom used that method on us whenever we got problems with the throat and for other symthoms as well for coughing she will spread it on our chests and upper back so phlegms will soften and eazy to expel,I did the same with my own children and recommend it as a very safe remedy for most of the cold nasty things.
Kathi
Grayslake, Il
I get sinus drainage periodically that drips down the back of my throat. During the day I can manage, but at night the tickle in my throat with subsequent coughing won’t let me sleep. Being a nurse, I was skeptical, but this was my last resort. I tried putting Vicks and a sock on one foot. I was asleep within minutes with no further coughing. The second time I tried a few weeks later – same results. I now tell all my friends.
Janet
North Carolina
NPR’s “Wait, wait, Don’t tell me” is often a fun source for the latest wacky science studies. This week’s show included one that “Your feet can taste garlic” http://now.howstuffworks.com/2016/12/15/your-feet-can-taste-garlic Could Vicks have a similar compound that acts both Iike oil and water and that can be absorbed through the skin to calm the cough response?
Terry Graedon
Yup. It is called menthol. Check your cough drops and you will probably find they contain menthol, one of the ingredients in Vicks.
Liz
Epsom, England
As a trained Reflexologist and Aromatherapist for over 25 years we were told of the Vick cure then by our tutors. They said to be casual about it as the medical profession were not happy about our ‘magic’ tricks. I keep my opinions casual suggesting a cure that could help. The only people who dismiss this are the ones who will not use the ‘stupid’ idea. Ok, that’s their problem, I know it works.
John B
Mid West
I’ve always dreaded getting a cold as the coughing would seem to continue long after the cold and I would suffer from sleepless night. My coughing would get so bad that I would see flashing in my eyes and suffer from more floaters. It became a real worry how to stop the coughing to protect my eyes. I had found some things to work but having to get a prescription from the doctor was a pain and there were the side effects too.
I was lost at what else to do until I finally tried Vicks VapoRub and the problem was solved. Just rubbing it into the soles of my feet before going to sleep was all that was necessary. Long may it continue! I’d recommend everyone to just try it.
c
Does not matter if it’s a placebo effect or not. It works. Period.
Judy
Maryland
I always laugh when I read someone claiming he doesn’t use home remedies because he is a scientist, or just believes in science. How do these people think scientific discoveries happen? Not by turning your eyes away from phenomena you can’t explain and denying they exist. Stories about important discoveries often begin with tales like Alexander Fleming noticing a mold killing bacteria, leading to penicillin, or a Jenner noticing that milkmaids who had had cowpox didn’t get smallpox, leading to vaccination. Science isn’t received truth; that’s religion. Science is discovery.