Is this the nice method to relieve a cold? Flu victims instructed to rub Vicks on their feet

Hundreds of folks suffering from a iciness cold have taken to social media to spread the phrase the century-ancient rub is better applied to toes than the chest and back, as informed.

For millions there is not any better method of getting by means of the night if you have a cold than rubbing Vicks VapoRub on - but now many swear rubbing it on your feet then hanging socks on is how to beat it.

The mentholated ointment was developed in 1894 in South Carolina in the us by Lunsford Richardson who created it for his youngsters after a shuttle to France and named it after his healthcare professional brother-in-law, Dr Joshua Vick.

He intended for it to be rubbed on the dermis near individuals's heads however 21st Century bloodless-suffers are eschewing the natural process and say in the event that they do cough it makes their toes tingle.

Bloodless-sufferer Hayley Barratt, 27, said: "I suggestion it was once a barmy suggestion but suggestion there was nothing to lose so i attempted it and i was once so surprised it surely worked.

"I certainly coughed less within the night time than when I've utilized it on my chest and back earlier than and the couple of instances I did cough I could think my feet tingling."

one other girl called Clare, wrote on MumsNet: "Agreed - I noticed this tip on fb and tried it when child had a foul cough.

"was once amazed it worked - suppose i will be able to say it is one of the great pointers I've ever learn."

Dr Lynne Jordan, a chartered psychologist, mentioned it might be to do with decreasing stress - anything Vicks is often praised with helping.

She mentioned: "via targeting whatever else, such as the procedure of hanging Vicks on with the socks, you're reducing your stress phases.

"When persons have coughs they traumatic up and for that reason they breathe in more shallowly which irritates the cough additional.

"scale back the stress and in concept you can scale down the cough."

television health practitioner Dr Ranj Singh, added: "there's no evidence to suggest it's more potent to position it in your ft so it would simply be a placebo outcomes."

Procter and Gamble, which has been making Vicks VapoRub due to the fact that 1985, said: "it's not in keeping with what the product is for thus we might now not suggest it getting used in this means."