Sure, menthol for coughs. The fumes come off your chest, you inhale them and it opens up your airway so you can breathe a little better, and get a good night’s rest.
Wait, you want me to put it where?
Yes, put it on your feet. Slather it on, like you wish you could butter your toast. That’s right, nice and goopy. Now put a pair of socks on over it. These should probably not be your favorite socks, but in my history I’ve been able to wash them just fine.
Then, go to sleep.
Sure, hydrate, grab a humidifier but somehow the thing that fixes my cough the quickest is this one.
Now, I’m talking a dry, hacking cough that keeps you awake for no good reason. If you have a productive cough (aka, you’re coughing stuff up) this may not work as well as your body is trying to keep itself from drowning.
I’ve tried it on my kids many times, and on myself. I’m not going to say that it works 100% of the time, but enough that I still try it with fairly good success of a better night’s sleep.
Have you tried it? Don’t miss out my ear infection, fever, or strep throat posts.
If you liked this post — check out my “can’t miss” essential oil blend, and check out my other family health posts below that:
Havok says
I hate that stuff. With a passion. My mom tried it with me for a few days and it was just horrible – I don’t even remember if it made me feel better! I’ve heard that it’s magical on feet and it’s supposed to work wonders, but I’m the stubborn type that refuses cold medicine type products as best I can (thank you ibuprofen, for horrible stomach issues!).
Hilary says
Haha, well next time you have a horrible cough that won’t go away — I suggest you try it. Maybe make your husband put it on while you plug your nose. 🙂
Misty Rigdon says
My parents used to do this to me and I have always done it with my kids as well. As an adult I figured it was a kind of placebo effect thing but I have maintained the tradition along with rubbing it on their/our chests and running a vaporizer in the room. Glad to know it works for others as well. That the result isn’t merely limited to my crazy family ;).
Hilary says
Nope, works better on my feet, I think, than on my chest. Crazy! 🙂
Charlene says
I tried it in desperation last night, and it worked pretty well. I still had a couple of productive coughs but it calmed that manic coughing fit you sometimes get into at night.
Hilary Erickson says
I’m so glad!