Fact Check: Can Rubbing Vicks vapour rub and eucalyptus oil on the soles of feet cure coughs and Colds?

An Instagram video claims that rubbing Vicks Vapourub and eucalyptus oil on the soles of feet cures cough, Cold, and fever.

Claim: An Instagram video claims that rubbing Vicks Vapourub and eucalyptus oil on the soles of feet cures cough, Cold, and fever. The video suggests taking Vicks Vapourub and mixing half a spoon of eucalyptus oil and rubbing it on the soles of feet. It also claims that cough, Cold, and fever will be cured in just three rubs.

The link to the video is here.

Fact Check:

The claim is False.

Understanding Cough and Cold:

According to the American Lungs Association, “Common Colds are minor infections of the nose and throat caused by more than 200 different viruses.” Rhinovirus is the most common cause, accounting for 10 to 40 per cent of colds. Other common cold viruses include coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A cold may last for about one week, but some colds last longer, especially in children, the elderly and those in poor health.(1)

Colds are highly contagious. They most often spread when droplets of fluid that contain a cold virus are transferred by touch. These droplets may also be inhaled.

Speaking to the Medical Dialogues team, Dr Mrigakshi Agarwal, Pulmonologist at Sanjeevan Hospital, clarified, “ The common cold is predominantly caused by rhinoviruses, but other viruses such as coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses also contribute. These viruses trigger symptoms like runny nose, congestion, and cough. Highly contagious, the common cold spreads through respiratory droplets or by touching contaminated surfaces. Typically mild, colds usually resolve on their own, though they can lead to complications in vulnerable populations. Treatment focuses on symptom relief, as there is no cure for the viral infection itself. Coughs vary in type and can provide clues about underlying health issues. A productive cough, which expels phlegm or mucus, might indicate conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or the flu, especially if the mucus is yellowish-green or contains blood.”

What is Vicks Vaporub?

Vicks VapoRub is a popular over-the-counter topical ointment commonly used to relieve symptoms of cold, cough, congestion. Vicks VapoRub manages the symptoms associated with mild upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).The main constituents of Vicks VapoRub are menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil and turpentine oil in a petrolatum base.4–7 It is worth noting that menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil also form the main ingredients in numerous other cough and cold remedies and have therefore been the focus of a number of studies (2)

Can Rubbing Vicks vapour rub and eucalyptus oil on the soles of feet cure cough and Cold?

Common cold are self limiting and its treatment is mainly focused on alleviating the symptoms, which can last anywhere from two days to two weeks

A study by Stinson RJ et al reported that some “VVRIs (Vicks VapoRub ingredients) may reduce symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infection by modulating specific TRP (transient receptor potential) receptors and by reducing RV16(rhinovirus serotype-16 (RV16))-induced ATP release.”(3)

In a comparison study of Vicks VapoRub (VR), petrolatum, and no treatment, parents rated VR most favourably for symptomatic relief of their child’s nocturnal cough, congestion, and sleep difficulty caused by upper respiratory tract infection. (4)

However, this vaporub cannot be applied to each person blindly. A study by Noiles et al mentioned that a  patient  developed an allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) secondary to application of her Vicks Vaporub.(5)

Although there is some evidence that Vicks Vaporub alleviates symptoms of cough and cold that too when applied on chest and nose no scientific evidence supports the claim that “Rubbing Vicks Vapor Rub and eucalyptus oil on the sole of feet can cure cough and Cold that too in just 3 rubs

Responding to the claim, Dr Chanchal Pal Senior Consultant, Indraprastha Hospitals “There is no scientific basis of this claim except for the fact that while rubbing these on the body anywhere, the effervescent or fume so produced works as counterirritants in the nose, which in turn opens up the nose. Rubbing the soles of the feet increases circulation of the body and may help relieve the malaise, but definitely not the fever, cough, or cold that too in just three rubs.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take:

Some ingredients in Vicks Vaporub help alleviate the symptoms of Cough and colds. However, the claim of rubbing Vicks Vapourub and eucalyptus oil on the soles of feet to cure cough and Cold in just three rubs is not supported by any scientific evidence. Hence, it is false.

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/facts-about-the-common-cold.

2. Stinson RJ, Morice AH, Ahmad B, Sadofsky LR. Ingredients of Vicks VapoRub inhibit rhinovirus-induced ATP release. Drugs Context. 2023 Oct 11;12:2023-3-2. doi: 10.7573/dic.2023-3-2. PMID: 37849655; PMCID: PMC10578958.

3. Stinson RJ, Morice AH, Ahmad B, Sadofsky LR. Ingredients of Vicks VapoRub inhibit rhinovirus-induced ATP release. Drugs Context. 2023;12:2023-3-2. https://doi.org/10.7573/ dic.2023-3-2

4. Paul IM, Beiler JS, King TS, Clapp ER, Vallati J, Berlin CM Jr. Vapor rub, petrolatum, and no treatment for children with nocturnal cough and cold symptoms. Pediatrics. 2010 Dec;126(6):1092-9. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-1601. Epub 2010 Nov 8. PMID: 21059712; PMCID: PMC3600823.

   5. Noiles K, Pratt M. Contact dermatitis to Vicks VapoRub. Dermatitis. 2010 May-Jun;21(3):167-9. PMID: 20487662.