topic Re: Memories in Community Chat

Memories

Bonkers1 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:13:29 GMT

I can remember my mother rubbing Vicks Vaporub on my neck and chest when I was sick. Then she would put a towel around my neck and pin it closed. It smelled terrible.

Re: Memories

on the bay — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:21:43 GMT

@Bonkers1,

My mother did that too! I'll have to remember that next time I get a cold or something.

Now I use it for pain It's the menthol which works wonders.

I don't mind the smell though It is strong and other people will probably notice when you walk into the room.

Re: Memories

JoyFilled Warrior — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:50:39 GMT

Hi @on the bay

Y'know, I never thought of that. "Vicks VapoRub" for pain! I use the Jet Spray "Salonpas," which might end up being more costly. Maybe for areas I'm able to reach, I can try the Vicks VapoRub?

My Mom used to use Vicks VapoRub for colds too. Burned the heck outta my skin, esp sensitive areas, like neck, chest. But worked, esp breathing it in.

I seem to remember, later in life, I would dab a couple of spots of the Vicks Vapo-Rub under my nostrils, keep breathing it in. Worked for chest congestion.

Re: Memories

sugarbee — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:02:37 GMT

We must of had the same mother, except mine did the same as well as rubbing it on the bottom of my feet and puttingi socks on me. I hated it all but it did work wonders. I still rub it on my neck when I first feel the sign of a cold and most of the time the next morning my symptoms are gone.

Re: Memories

happilyretiredgirl — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:26:08 GMT

Yes I remember it was the cure for all cold...lol...I still do it and it will help with congestion and opens my head up.

Re: Memories

Tori3569 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:29:31 GMT

I love Vicks and have it in many different versions! I use it for pain sometimes too and it also calms me down when anxious.

Re: Memories

on the bay — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:45:56 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior,

I do use Salon Pas patches sometimes and biofreeze but Vicks stays long. And it's also good if your nail starts to become ingrown or sore.

And yes I forgot about putting it under your nose! that's good too.

Re: Memories

bikerbabe — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:51:55 GMT

Our house was Mentholatum.

Re: Memories

taquito — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:52:33 GMT

I think my mom used it once, hated the smell, and never used it again. But I’ve found out that a dab over my eyebrow helps when I have a sinus headache. Some of these other uses sound worth trying.

When I had Covid I lost my sense of smell for a short time and tested myself by sticking my nose practically into the jar of Vicks Vaporub. I couldn’t smell it at all, and that was alarming! I was so glad it didn’t last long, and now that smell is comforting to me.

Re: Memories

CJC — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:23:53 GMT

That stuff was strong. When I was a new bride back in prehistoric times I opened a jar of Vaporub and placed on my bedside table in hopes the fumes would help my congestion. I set the lid down next to jar. Next morning I found that the fumes in the lid had removed the finish from my cherry table, all the way down to the bare wood. It was just a sticky goopy mess. Still have the table with its vaporub scar.

Re: Memories

KittySoftPaws — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:39:56 GMT

My Grandmother did the same thing for me when I stayed summers with her as a young girl and had bronchitis. She would rub it on my chest and neck then place a washcloth over it and safety pin it to my PJ's. To this day, I still love the smell of Vick's because it reminds me of her and her nuturing, care, and love for me. I loved her just as much. Not to mention, it always worked!

Re: Memories

KittySoftPaws — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:42:15 GMT

@Tori3569 I have never heard of using it for pain, I'm going to have to try that.

Re: Memories

JoyFilled Warrior — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:56:40 GMT

@CJC wrote:
That stuff was strong. When I was a new bride back in prehistoric times I opened a jar of Vaporub and placed on my bedside table in hopes the fumes would help my congestion. I set the lid down next to jar. Next morning I found that the fumes in the lid had removed the finish from my cherry table, all the way down to the bare wood. It was just a sticky goopy mess. Still have the table with its vaporub scar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

OMGosh @CJC

That's horrible! I'm sad that happened to you.

Having said that, its kind of giggling, yet truly, truly believable! Hope not offended.

As a child, our family had a metal jar of Vicks that was so old, & hardly used, I swear it was wearing thru the metal of the jar, with time!

Hardly used, Im guessing because it was the Family cry - "anything but the Vicks!" - esp, among the kids! And the men in the family, "poo, I dont need Vicks, I'll be OK. It's nothing" ('cause im a man, I can handle anything) heh

My Mom wld melt Vicks in hot water in a bowl, and wld hover her head over the bowl, while under a towel tent over her head, thus, locking in the Vicks fumes, breathing it in! Seemed to work for her, esp since ALL in her family, historically, had Lung problems that ultimately was part of what buried them in the end.

I inherited those same maternal family lungs, plus I've had pneumonia a few times. Perhaps I should give this a try myself! Constant allergies & stuffed up now.

Since I have uber sensitive skin, as a pale white, blonde gal, so I need to be very judicious with this stuff, hurts like heck on my skin. BUT, Vicks VaporRub does indeed work!

(As does the big Salonpas patches that say **HOT* on the cover of their envelope.)

Re: Memories

JoyFilled Warrior — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 03:01:10 GMT

@sugarbee wrote:
We must of had the same mother, except mine did the same as well as rubbing it on the bottom of my feet and puttingi socks on me. I hated it all but it did work wonders. I still rub it on my neck when I first feel the sign of a cold and most of the time the next morning my symptoms are gone.

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Hi @sugarbee

Curious. What was the benefit gained with rubbing VaporRub on bottom of your feet, then socks? Was this to provide same benefits as rubbing on chest, or other parts of the body? Congestion? or otherwise? My otherwise skin is soo darn sensitive!

Re: Memories

on the bay — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 03:22:36 GMT

@sugarbee,

I heard about putting it on your feet but never did. Did she also put it on your chest at the same time or just your feet? That must have felt cold but maybe not with socks.

Re: Memories

Hilery — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 03:43:46 GMT

@Bonkers1 I put some Vicks and Mentholatum in a small tin and keep in personal bag when traveling. One use is to rub under my nose when on airplane to mask undesirable odors.

Re: Memories

JoyFilled Warrior — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:31:23 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
I love Vicks and have it in many different versions! I use it for pain sometimes too and it also calms me down when anxious.

~~~~~~~~~

Okay, @Tori3569

Didnt know that.

Then definitely, I'm going to make sure I have some on hand.

Definitely need it, esp now Thx

Re: Memories

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:50:30 GMT

We did the Vick's thing too, only my mom would fold one of my dad's undershirts to wrap around my neck and pin with a safety pin. Hot steam vaporizers were a thing too. No one used cold steam then. If I hadn't eaten for a day or two, she'd make me drink a homemade egg nog to rebuild my strength. No one worried about consuming raw eggs back then either.

I had an uncle who was like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Vick's vapo rub was his cure all for everything. 🤦‍♀️😄

Re: Memories

Twoaces — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:57:45 GMT

Here's a new use for Vicks. My dermatologist said that rubbing it on your toenails will help prevent toenail fungus! It won't cure a moderate case, but it can ward off the problem.

And, my mother used Vicks on my throat and chest, too, adding a sock pinned around my neck. I do the same thing when I have a sore throat. A doctor said that it likely promotes circulation, in addition to emitting the fumes that relieve congestion.

Re: Memories

Carolina925 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:07:53 GMT

My mother did the same and I still do, too. Nothing works for opening a stopped up head like Vicks. Since it seems to get worse during the night when I'm prone, I've gotten up during the night to gargle with salt water, then put on Vicks and cover the neck with a towel.