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

[Inanna]

I guess anything is "lethal" used incorrectly. It's definitely a strong word. Alcohol is lethal used in excess but "safe" at a glass of wine. SLE is "safe" used in shampoo but used throughout the day multiple times probably isn't. So it's all a little bit subjective.

I would agree thuogh that eucalyptus can be lethal. But used correctly based on the advice of an aromatherapist - or someone trained in the use of oils it's safe.

I use eucalyptus on my children. I use it mopping the floor, cleaning the loo seats etc etc. If I was to leave the cloth with undfiluded eucalyptus on it & Immy sniffed it deeply she could stop breathing and it could be "lethal".

Personally I don't use the vicks type stuff because of the chemical ****tail in the carriers. Thats a personal choice & one each Mama makes separately. Either way it's about informed choice. If you don't know about the chemicals in these things then you're not making an informed choice. If you do know and choose to still use it your decision is based on education. YK?

I think it is interesting that many "natural" remedies are looked at as safe. When the reality is many of these things can be very very dangerous used incorrectly. I of course can't speak for Stepmum1 but I gather that this is perhaps what she was getting at?

[Willow]

I guess anything is "lethal" used incorrectly. It's definitely a strong word. Alcohol is lethal used in excess but "safe" at a glass of wine. SLE is "safe" used in shampoo but used throughout the day multiple times probably isn't. So it's all a little bit subjective....If I was to leave the cloth with undfiluded eucalyptus on it & Immy sniffed it deeply she could stop breathing and it could be "lethal".

Absolutely. But my point is that a mother rubbing a small amount of Vicks or Eucy Bear or similar on her child's feet, ie using it for it's intended purpose, is very unlikely to be 'lethal'.

[Inanna]

That I think would be a true statement Willow!

I did a quick google about Camphor as I do know it's been banned in some countries due to it's toxicity...

In larger quantities, it is poisonous when ingested and can cause seizures, confusion, irritability, and neuromuscular hyperactivity. In extreme cases, even topical application of camphor may lead to hepatotoxicity.[13] [14] Lethal doses in adults are in the range 50–500 mg/kg (orally). Generally, 2 g causes serious toxicity and 4 g is potentially lethal.
In 1980, the United States Food and Drug Administration set a limit of 11% allowable camphor in consumer products and totally banned products labeled as camphorated oil, camphor oil, camphor liniment, and camphorated liniment (except "white camphor essential oil", which contains no significant amount of camphor). Since alternative treatments exist, medicinal use of camphor is discouraged by the FDA, except for skin-related uses, such as medicated powders, which contain only small amounts of camphor.

[Willow]

Thank you for posting that. I just checked the label on our Eucy Bear and it does contain camphour. I probably will not be using it again. My DH will not be happy, we just brought a new tube and all three of my kids are sick atm

I will email this information to him though, that may help!

Kelly - I don't have baby oil in my house. I was given bottles of it at DD's baby shower but never used it. What's it supposed to be for anyway?? I never found a use for it.

[Inanna]

Willow I make up my own in a little bottle. Bubba D is a bit little IMO but the others - just pop in to a good quality health food shop that has a naturopath and they will advise you. Have you an oil burner? If so a drop or two of lavender and eucalyptus pure essential oil in the burner helps as well...

Colds can be miserable. I use a lot of chinese remedies and if you have a google of the oil in the post I did a few posts up that is sensational for little ones. There are some really good safer alternatives so that you can still help relieve the symptoms but support optimum health as well. I hope they are feeling better soon. You're a wonderful, thoughtful Mama. xxx

[BellyBelly]

Baby oil is lethal - did you see the stories on the news, I am pretty sure it was J&J baby oil which don't have safety caps on them. Accidents have happened where babies have gotten hold of the bottles and inhaled it - even in small amounts is fatal.

[Inanna]

Below Willow is with regard to Eucalyptus. So you can gather from this that caution is necessary!

If consumed internally at low dosage as a flavouring component or in pharmaceutical products at the recommended rate, cineole based 'oil of eucalyptus' is safe for adults. However, in its pure form it is poisonous according to dosage.
The probable lethal dose of pure eucalyptus oil for an adult is in the range of 0.05 mL to 0.5 mL/per kg of body weight.[17] Because of their low body weight, children are more vulnerable to poisons. Severe poisoning has occurred in children after ingestion of 4 mL to 5 mL of eucalyptus oil.[18][19]

[stepmum1]

Yep that what I meant. I still use eucalyptus for cleaning and keep it right up high in the medical cupboard. I am all for 'natural' remedies, studying naturopathy here, but yes everyone does need to be mindful that even though you can buy them without professional help, care needs to be taken and consultation with a professional should occur if you are unsure of correct dosage of safety especially with children.

[Indadhanu]

I really struggle with all of this because I have to inform my partner, who answers back "why can they sell it if it's not safe, and heaps of people use it and I've never heard of any of this" and continues to use it. Finding a comeback is impossible. Even the studies she can turn around and google something which says the complete opposite. You can't trust anything! It's a right PITA to be honest.

(that was thinking out loud by the way, not a question anyone needs to answer!)

[meow]

I guess the thing is LOADS of things that are damaging can be sold so long as they don't kill you that second. Wax on apples, cigarettes, oh on and on and on really. But the point is eliminating products which are known to be damaging can surely only help improve your health and reduce your risk of cancer etc.

I didn't realise the extent of the nasty products in vicks, or how bad eucalyptus oil can be so thanks everyone for your input!

[Willow]

Leasha, I totally get where you're coming from

[Indadhanu]

I get why it's better not to use it, but how am I and my internet resources credible against, say, the pharmacist who sells me Vicks? In the eyes of my partner, theres no competition. The pharmacist wins. Not because *I* am not credible, but because the internet can tell me whatever I want to hear.

Can someone give me a book with all this stuff in it?

[stepmum1]

A great book that covers a lot of this is: "How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor" by Robert S. Mendelsohn M.D.

Amazon.com: How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor (9780345342768): Robert S.…