(HealthyResearch.com) – When was the last time you had to pull out the VapoRub? According to Vicks, it’s a great choice for relieving a cough and minor aches when you’re sick — but surprisingly, it can do more than that. Check out these other clever uses for VapoRub.
Reduce Joint Pain
Popular medicated rubs like Tiger Balm contain camphor and menthol, two of the main ingredients in VapoRub. These compounds are counterirritants, which means they agitate the nerves in a way that makes you perceive hot and cold in place of some of your pain. This can offer you mild, temporary pain relief wherever you apply the rub.
Fight Inflammation
Achy, inflamed muscles? Eucalyptus oil, another active ingredient in VapoRub, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Combined with camphor, the eucalyptus found in VapoRub may help reduce muscle inflammation. Use a maximum of four times a day.
Treat Fungal Infections
It might seem like a strange use for VapoRub, but the ointment is an incredibly effective antifungal, thanks to its eucalyptus oil and menthol. Try using it to soothe and treat athlete’s foot. According to Healthline, you should treat the affected areas daily until the skin has been healthy for about a week.
You can also use VapoRub to treat nasty, disfiguring toenail fungus. It’s such an effective treatment, researchers have found it to be a safe and useful alternative for people with HIV — who may have particularly persistent infections. It’s also a heck of a lot cheaper than prescription treatments, which may run as high as several hundred dollars per month.
Repel Insects
Eucalyptus is one of the numerous aromatic oils that are effective insect repellants. One study found a blend of essential oils containing eucalyptus was as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes. Try VapoRub in a bind to reduce your chances of getting bitten up.
Heal Bruises
Camphor and menthol can increase circulation to the skin. This means wounds heal faster and bruises may disappear sooner. Use VapoRub on bruises to reduce the associated pain and inflammation as well.
Make Shower Bombs
When you’re sick or congested, sometimes nothing is quite as relieving as a soak in the bathtub. Try making VapoRub shower bombs for the next time you need to breathe in some medicated steam.
Mix together:
- 3 tablespoons of VapoRub.
- 1 cup of cornstarch.
- 5 tablespoons of water.
Press the mixture into an ice cube tray or something similar and freeze for about 2 hours to set. When you use them, make sure to keep your shower bombs close to the drain to keep from turning the bottom of your shower into a mentholated Slip ’N Slide.
VapoRub is great to have on-hand for achy, sniffly days, but it’s also valuable on numerous other fronts. Try the above hacks to consolidate your medicine cabinet. Better yet, get creative and see how many other clever uses you can find.
~Here’s to Your Health & Safety!
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