One thing I know is that ours is a heavily overmedicated society. I sometimes think that prescription drug abuse is more widespread than recreational drug abuse, and patent medicine drug abuse more widespread than either. We are extensively propagandized into thinking that the answer to any medical problem lies in some pharmaceutical product that did not even exist 50 years ago but is now somehow necessary.
I myself when I have a cold or the miseries prefer to cure it — or rather, let it cure itself — by staying in bed, drinking lots of water, and waiting. But our clockwork society has made people unwilling or unable to do that, mostly, and so the drug industry prospers.
All of this is an aside. This morning’s www.UrbanSurvival.com includes a little piece by website author George Ure on a bit of folk medicine someone sent him in an e-mail. Like him, I find the idea intriguing. Like him, I have no firsthand knowledge of whether this works. Like him, I pass it on to you for what it is worth. If you have or obtain first-hand knowledge of networking or not working, you might post it here as a comment so that others may benefit.
The text of the e-mail that was sent to him follows:
“Supposedly this works 100% of the time although the scientists at the Canada Research council (who discovered it) aren’t sure why.
To stop nighttime coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime then cover with socks.
Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief.
Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly.
I heard the head of the Canada Research Council describe these findings on the part of their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of pres cription cough medicines in children as compared to alternative therapies like accupressure. Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs so, I listened.
It was a surprising finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, and in addition, to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.
Lolly tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes and believe me, this was a deep, ( incredibly annoying!) every few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough free for hours every night that she used it.
So, if you have Grandchildren, pass it on, if you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be absolutely amazed by the effect.”
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/vaporub.asp
The above link has some background on the Vicks story. The link goes to Snopes, but Snopes in this case doesn’t conclude that this is simply an urban legend. My mother implemented a version of this remedy for her eight kids back in the 1950s whenever we had a cough. Her method was to apply the “Vics salve” to our chests and then cover that with a cloth. It seemed to work for us.
May 28th, 2007 at 10:53 am
FOOT RUB COUGH CURE: FACT OR FICTION?
The National Research Council of Canada (also referred to as NRC) has recently learned of an email that is circulating which claims we have proven that Vicks VapoRubâ„¢ can be applied to the feet to cure a persistent cough. We would like to take this opportunity to dispel this suggestion.
The e-mail suggests that NRC has conducted research comparing the effectiveness of prescription cough medicines in children to alternative therapies like acupressure. However, our databases indicate that no such studies involving Vicks VapoRub have been conducted at NRC. It is rare for NRC to engage in research into alternate applications of medications.
The email message also refers to NRC incorrectly as the “Canada Research Council.†The proper name of our organization is the National Research Council Canada.
Home remedies, homeopathy and alternative therapies for illnesses are popular areas of interest for Canadians, especially in recent years. Although NRC conducts some research in these areas (NRC conducts research on nutraceuticals and therapeutic attributes of plants), our focus is more frequently on medical and pharmaceutical treatments for illness and disease. Some of our best-known advancements have been in this field, including: the first practical motorized wheelchair, the first artificial pacemaker, the Meningitis-C vaccine, the cobalt bomb and research into food-borne pathogens and water safety, to name a few.
Through these innovations, NRC scientists have improved the quality of life of millions of people around the world. For almost a century, the NRC has been adapting to address new national challenges and priorities. More information can be found on our website at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.