Vicks to Stop Nighttime Coughing | Health Hacks
Last night my husband and daughter coughed so much that none of us got much sleep. So, today, in desperation, I started looking for a health hack – a home remedy using stuff you have at home, in unconventional ways, to cure common ailments such as nighttime coughing.
When I was little, my grandma would rub vicks on my back and chest when I was congested. She’d pin a wool sock around my neck to keep me extra warm. Then, she’d top it off by smearing a little Vicks under my nose. It worked like a charm every time. She was so good at that stuff.
Another grandma was amazing at rubbing feet, doing what’s called foot reflexology. Your body is a series of nerves running from top to bottom, and it’s all connected. By targeting zones in one part of your body, you can alleviate problems in another. And, it’s a fact that we lose heat from our extremities, the feet, hands and head. So, slathering on some Vicks and bundling up your feet does makes sense.
But for a dry cough that doesn’t include congestion, I hadn’t thought to try Vicks to Stop Nighttime Coughing. And, I certainly hadn’t thought to try it on FEET. But, legend has it, rubbing Vicks on the bottom of your feet before bed will stop coughing… in about 5 minutes. After rubbing Vicks on the sole of both feet, slip on a pair of socks to keep it from getting all over the sheets. Then, head for dream land and get a good night’s rest (and let everyone else in the house get some sleep too!)
But, does it work?
Conclusion:
- Chain emails circulating in late 2007 quoted National Research Council Canada as stating Vicks Stops Nighttime Coughing. The NRC issued a press release stating that no such studies involving Vicks VapoRub have been done by them.
- Vicks doesn’t specifically claim whether or not using Vicks to stop coughing actually works. They do not specifically suggest Vicks to Stop Nighttime Coughing. They do, however, publicly acknowledge that another old wives tale: rubbing Vicks on toenail fungus will NOT get rid of it. Bummer!
Many on the internet claim they’ve tried Vicks on soles of feet to stop nighttime coughing, and they swear it does work. I’m going to try it tonight and will update with my personal findings. Meanwhile, give it a try and let us know how it worked for you!
WARNING: The New York City Health Department warned in 2008 not to use unlabeled Camphor cubes, the main ingredient in Vicks Vap-O-rub, because it can be dangerous to children when used improperly.