Breathe in through Your Feet?

Well, not exactly, but with lots of people sick this winter, a couple of parents have asked me about a particular remedy for easing coughing, especially in children. It is a tip I had seen doing the rounds on Facebook a while ago and which I first heard of when training over 10 years ago. And what is this “magical potion’? Good old, Vicks Vapor Rub™, not used as directed on the chest, but rather on the soles of the feet, more specifically on the balls of the feet. My thoughts? I am not medically trained, but it is certainly true that the skin is the body’s largest organ and is porous – medicines can be administered through the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream. Although the directions on Vicks state that for children over the age of 2, the ointment can be rubbed directly onto the chest and throat, the skin here is quite delicate and the strong ingredients may be less irritating if used on the tougher skin of the feet. The feet being further away from the mouth and nose mean that the scent will be present but less immediate, which may also be more gentle. Rubbing the feet is definitely soothing, and from a reflexology perspective, you will be working into the reflexes for the chest, diaphragm and lungs as you apply the rub. All good reasons why this may actually work? Yes, but as always when dealing with matters of health, especially in children, proceed with caution and get the advice of your doctor. The general consensus seems to be out on this one – and the skeptic in me says check every urban legend out on snopes!