I feel compelled to once again sing the praises of Vick’s Vapor Rub, particularly as it can be used on small feet to quiet an overnight cough.
Ever since my discovery a few months ago that the “urban legend” that Vicks rubbed on feet quells coughs is actually quite true, I’ve used this trick for G when she gets her (very frequent) nighttime coughs. I find that it stops the cough cold for at least a few hours at least 85% of the time. Very occasionally, it doesn’t help much. I’m not sure what the difference is. However, it really does the trick almost always.
Last night, G was coughing like crazy after feeling better all day, so we gave her one of the nebulizer/albuterol treatments prescribed for her by the doctor at Children’s the other night. This 15 minute breathing treatment slowed the cough down, but 45 minutes later, her cough was really bad again. So I pulled out my trusty Vick’s and a pair of clean cotton socks, and I slathered up her little feet, then slipped the socks over her Vicksified tootsies. Within 90 seconds, no more cough. She was cough free the rest of the night (sometimes I have to reapply after a few hours, but not last night), and she slept like, well, like the baby that she is.
Anyway, since this is cough and cold season, I just wanted to mention this useful and effective folk remedy again, in case it might help your family get more sleep with less coughing.
I have no clue how or why this trick works, but it really, really does.
Just be sure to put on slippers before walking across carpet. I am still trying to get it out of the carpet in my bedroom after my summer cold last year. But YES this works-no idea how-but I dont care.
@jennifer – Ha!! Good call. We’ve gotten it all over blankets, jammies and sheets, but those are far easier to wash than the rug
I have heard of this but never atcually tried and now I will – thank you!
I have followed your blog for about 5 years and am so sorry for all the pain you have gone through. I was glad to see an update about your sister.
Maybe down the road you might want to look into diet for help. I really believe in the power of food to heal and have read The China Study which I highly suggest everyone to read, even if one does not believe what T. Colin Campbell suggests it is really good food for thought.
As far as Fibromylagia he recommends: Limited evidence suggests that some patients may respond well to a low-fat, vegan diet, and diet changes are easier to adopt when all family members make the change.
http://www.tcolincampbell.org/courses-resources/home/
Ask L.R. It is his families med and treatment!
My granny was a firm believer in Vick’s – she’d slather it on my chest and then cover it with a flannel cloth that she’d heated on her coal oil stove!