Explain to me scientifically how rubbing 'Vicks' on feet is actually meant to work??

[Indadhanu]

Wait... huh? Vicks warms up your body???

LOL goes to show the last time I used it!! I don't remember that as a side effect?

[Bathsheba]

Vicks has similar ingedients as Decorub... the menthols stimulate circulation which warms up the body.

[meow]

I thought it was to avoid their soft chest skin as it's petrochemical based. We haven't put it on his skin... instead we put a blob on a tissue, wrap that in a folded facewasher and put that under the sheet about where his head goes. Then his body warms it and he breathes it in to help with sleeping.

[Inanna]

The skin is the largest organ in the body & is very effective at absorption! Rubbing garlic on any part of your body will be absorbed. It's easier to put it on your feet, cover with socks and viola!

I would strongly advise against vicks - it's got some fairly nasty chemicals that along with the camphor (not good for children) has other chemicals that her body will effectively absorb.

Leasha there is a lady at the Eumundi markets that sells ayurvedic medicine. "Oils of Ayurveda" - great facial moisturiser too! She has the BEST cold and cough remedy & it can be purchased on line too. It is truly wonderful.

I hope she improves soon.

[Michelle71]

You could consider it from the reflexology perspective. The feet are reflective of all organs of the body and thus rubbing something on the feet would also reflect rubbing something on the chest. A bit more of an Eastern approach but considering acupuncture uses the little toe to stimulate a breech baby to turn it is well within the realms of possibility

[Bathsheba]

I was wondering along those lines too Michelle. Good point.

[didispunk]

I do this as well.. no idea why but it WORKS!

[MissM]

We've never had vicks rubbed on our feet, but my mama used to rub a half a clove of garlic on our feet and put socks on us Always worked a treat, and I still do it today when DD or I are sick

[mrsmac]

I tried this on DS last week and it did absolutely NOTHING for his cough!

[Sopdet]

My uni lecturer advised to do it with garlic as it is absorbed better through the feet than the chest

[ShootingStar]

You can get a baby version of vicks called Baby Balsam.. ive found it works great and you can put it on their chest.

[stepmum1]

Baby Balsam has the same petrochemicals as Vicks and contains 2 essential oils that should not be used on prepubesent children.

[Inanna]

:yeahthat:

I was just about to reply to the same.

[ShootingStar]

Ah well.. i used it for my kids. Its just not as strong smelling as the vicks.

[didispunk]

Yup I would put in on my childs chest as well, or Euky Bear Rub. My peadiatrician said so not a big deal!

[Indadhanu]

2 essential oils that should not be used on prepubesent children

Which are?

[Inanna]

Leasha camphor is not something that is regarded as safe for childrens (actually adults too) it works on the hormones. Yes it's an "old fashioned" remedy - mostly as it does a good job of clearing the sinuses. It's just that there are safer alternatives - rather than slathering with this as some people do believing it's all okay. It's obviously a personal choice - but to be fully informed do a little google.

[Nettie]

Baby Balsam has the same petrochemicals as Vicks and contains 2 essential oils that should not be used on prepubesent children.

Does Euky Bear Rub have the same?