Not to be sniffed at (Vicks VapoRub)

Member Name: Fiver29

Product:	Vicks VapoRub
Date:	26/11/08 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Natural remedy, warming, soothing

Disadvantages: Gets on clothes and bed sheets

Vicks Vaporub is a favourite in my family for relief from coughs and stuffy noses. I used it as a child and I now use it on my children, its an easy and cheap way to ease breathing, especially at night when coughs seem to hit hardest.

The vaporub comes in a small tub and is a thick cream similar to vaseline, that can be rubbed on the chest and back.

When you rub it into your chest it gives you a warm feeling and you can instantly feel it working as you breath in. The mixture of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus help to clear the nasal passages, and they help to suppress coughing.

There are the usual warnings as with any medicines. You cant use it on broken skin, and it is not recommended for children uner the age of two. Also contrary to how I used it as a child, you shouldnt add it to hot water or put it under your nostrils.

I've used other vapour rubs (shops own brands) and they are never quite as good as Vicks. Perhaps they dont have the same concentration of ingredients, but they dont give the same warming feeling when its rubbed in. And I think that is often just as important as the actual vapourising effect, because it makes you feel like its working, it makes you feel cosier, and often thinking something is helping makes you feel better in itself.

Summary: Well recommended for anyone wanting relief from coughs and colds