I have a tiny addiction.
Some nights before bed, my lips seem dry.
If this is the case, I apply Vick’s VapoRub to my lips before bed. Just a tiny bit.
The instant I unscrew that little container and smell that menthol goodness, I feel immediate peace and calmness. I feel comforted. I feel good as James Brown would say.
Beau, of course, thinks I’m a total weirdo, but I’m not the one that is a freak about the tube of toothpaste being rolled up from the bottom nor do I tuck my undershirt into my underwear.
I have a theory of why this medicinal invention brings me to my happy place.
It’s all due to my mom.
My mom is a nurse and has been for over 30 years and now teaches nursing. She was a very nurturing mother and took excellent care of me when I was sick. Excellent. The best.
When I’m sick, I still want her around. She’s amazing in that area.
When I was young, I can remember, time after time after time, her rubbing Vick’s VapoRub on my chest and a little under my nose when I had a cold or couldn’t breathe (which was most of the time because of the deviated septum I caused by the breaking of my nose when I was a toddler … another story).
There, that’s why I love Vick’s VapoRub. And, I don’t care if it’s weird.
However, I just read an article that states that Vick’s rubbed on the nose or upper lip can be dangerous for children and cause respiratory problems. And, to make matters worse, the camphor can cause camphor poisoning, which kills liver cells, causing death if ingested.
You know how my mind works … ninety to nothing.
So, I’m thinking in over twenty-something years of applying this camphor on my lips, could I have actually ingested some of it? And enough to poison myself just for the sake of comfort?
Nah. I’m sure my first three years of college killed more liver cells than that.
I’m thinking I will finish off this last container.
Just this last one.
I promise I won’t use it anymore after that.
I promise.
When you're done with that last jar may I recommend our Celebrate Recovery program on Thursday nights?
Just like you – that smell reminds me so much of my mom – a very nurturing kind of a lady. Brings back fond memories.
And really – any one kind find deadly cautions about any kind of product on the market… I wouldn't worry. 🙂
LOL!! I love Jeff's comment!!
yep, I have the same memories….funny though, I never used the stuff on my kids!
endearing and hilarious all the same. 😉
Spoken like a true addict.
"After this, I'm done. Seriously…. I am. I'm done. ….I just gotta get one more hit."
And that little tidbit about the shirt tucked into the wear… seared in my conscience. Weirdo. 🙂
I love, love, love Vick's. I am so sad to hear that news. I can not promise that I will cease using it. My mom is a nurse too and she can not sleep without it.
Oh…I wasn't sure anyone else loved Vicks as much as I do. I've had the baby Vicks out lately for Miss Priss, and I took the opportunity to dab a little under my nose. And then I continued to do so for about 3 or 4 nights in a row…until it started to cause unsightly blemishes to appear (i.e., zits).
Oh but how I do love me some Vicks VapoRub!
There is something oddly comforting about the smell of that Vick's menthol. You can keep using it, I won't tell.
I am cracking up at Beau's weirdness!
But I have to say Vicks on the lips is a new one for me. 🙂
Vick's Vapor rub is one of the most soothing scents! I never put it on my lip but I have used it on my kids' chests when they were congested for years. It will be a smell from their childhood too.
I'm almost embarrassed to admit this (but I rarely get embarrassed about anything, so…) but my hubby loves Vicks Vapor Rub, too…well, he likes when I need it…and then he gets to be Doctor Superman…and you can probably figure where it goes from there.
But it doesn't work when I'm sick….
There's a very funny Friends episode about Monica being so sick and turning Chandler on using Vicks. You should check it out. 🙂
Jeff … funny.
Lois – Awkward. My addiction may now be given up a little easier. Thanks.
Kodi – Yeah. I've seen it. Totally cracks me up.
ha, that kid in the first picture looks like he got Vicks in his eye!
I love love love it too, here is one for you….stuffy and coughing? put a good layer on the bottom of your feet, put socks on over top, and sleep LIKE A BABY!!!! Serious, TRY it you will love it (and me 🙂
I also covet the liquid you put in the vaporizer…ahhhhhh.
how do we survive things like camphor ingestion and college life? i tell ya, these bodies of ours are tough. my dad says when he was a kid his mom would make him swallow a glob of vicks and drink hot lemonade when he was sick! he said he was always well by morning…??? who knows? maybe it's good to kill a few liver cells! haha.
Wow, I didn't realize it but apparently I'm missing out on something really awesome by not using this stuff.
Tucking undershirt into underwear…LOL!
I like the smell and all, but on your lips? Really?
-FringeGirl
I can't even read the whole post…too much giggling from the undershirt into the underpants thing…HA!
Was in desperate (holy-crappy-hormones) NEED of a laugh today. Thanks 🙂
Crazy how one thing segues into another; my blog was about sex helping with colds, so I did some research on it and found out that science corroborates my theory, then someone mentions Vick's, and I find your blog. How cool! Can't wait to read more.
(I even put Vick's on my own upper lip the other night when I was feeling especially sick; just the aroma made me feel better.)