Camphor is another popular ingredient in topical pain medications like Bengay, Tiger Balm, and Vicks VapoRub. While it may be helpful for muscle pain, there's not enough evidence to routinely recommend it.
VapoRub's signature formula of menthol and camphor works to relieve temporary muscle and joint aches. Relieve muscle aches fast while soothing your senses with the iconic Vicks scent you know and love. To soothe sore muscles fast: apply Vicks VapoRub to affected area no more than three to four times daily.
There are a few reasons why you might find anxiety relief from using Vick's VapoRub, and one of them stems from aromatherapy. Vick's VapoRub “contains camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol,” says psychotherapist Patti Sabla, LCSW.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil
Some people use CBD oil to help treat chronic pain, including muscle pain. Research suggests that it may work as a muscle relaxer, and some people use it for this purpose .
Better known as El Vaporú, El Bibaporrú,or El Vicks, the American-made menthol ointment is a miracle cure-all for Latinos healing everything from everyday issues like muscle pain, common colds, and sore throats, to more serious diseases such as arthritis and COVID-19.
Vicks VapoRub works best when used on the chest. There's no evidence that it helps cold symptoms if you put it on your feet. But Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of your feet may help relieve mild muscle aches, neuropathic foot pain, and moisturize dry skin.
Heritage of Care & Trust
He quickly developed a family of 21 remedies and began to sell them under the Vicks name. The most popular of these remedies was the Croup & Pneumonia Salve, which Lunsford created to sooth his own young son's severe cough. Today we know this product as VapoRub.
“Over-the-counter medicines like NSAIDs and naproxen can still provide muscle-relaxing effects, such as relief from muscle tension pain,” says Dr. Edwards. “They're often the first line of defense when treating acute muscle pain.”
Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, is a root that shows promise as a natural pain reliever. A 2017 study found that ginger powder was as effective as ibuprofen in controlling postoperative pain.
It's unsafe for any use in children under 2 years old. In adults and children age 2 and older, use it only on the neck and chest to ease coughing during a cold.
Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems.
The cooling effect from VapoRub explains how its active ingredients ease the feeling of congestion, Bhattacharyya says. They “can help by creating the sensation that more air is flowing into your body when you breathe,” he says, adding that this is also how some cough drops, such as Halls, work.
The camphor and essential oils help reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and dry up oily skin. Just be sure to only use a small amount, because the petroleum jelly could clog pores. Also, the smell of Vicks VapoRub is quite strong, so you may only want to use this acne treatment at night. Stop bug bites.
You first want to put the rub on your chest, neck and behind your neck. And she said not to be stingy with the amount. You want to make sure to grab a “glob” of it. The routine concludes with her inserting some of the rub into her nostrils, allowing her to enjoy its scent as she drifts off to sleep.
While Vicks VapoRub is safe when used on the skin and for short durations of time, using too much or eating it can lead to severe toxicity. Application to the face and around the eye can result in eyelid swelling, blisters, and damage to the cornea (the outer layer of the eyeball).
There are no over-the-counter (OTC) muscle relaxants in the United States.
Physical therapy addresses multiple factors that can cause tight muscles. Heat, stretching, gentle yoga, and massage may also benefit someone with chronic stiffness.
Many people who experience muscle cramps or stiffness take dietary supplements like magnesium, CBD, and menthol for relief.
Magnesium. Magnesium plays a major role in muscle function and relaxation. Low levels of this vitamin make you prone to muscle cramps, stiffness, and spasms. This essential mineral helps your muscles absorb glucose, increasing your blood sugar availability for muscle use and repair.
CBD acts as a natural muscle relaxer by slowing the flow of the neurotransmitters that cause muscle tension and spasms, alleviating symptoms and allowing the muscle to relax. CBD helps reduce overall stress and anxiety, which are contributing factors to muscle tension.
Cyclobenzaprine
It's the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxer. But it has more potential for side effects, like drowsiness. This limits how you can use it during the day. If this is an ongoing concern, it may be a good idea to consider a non-sedating option.
Vicks VapoRub is supposed to help break up congestion and relieve coughing. Studies show it can help children sleep. For Latino families, the salve is a cure-all, used for acne, bruises, toenail fungus, bleeding head wounds, and more.
Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated topical ointment, part of the Vicks brand of over-the-counter medications owned by the American consumer goods company Procter & Gamble. VapoRub is intended for use on the chest, back and throat for cough suppression or on muscles and joints for minor aches and pains.
Advocates of this remedy suggest that applying Vicks to the feet allows the active ingredients to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than if applied to other areas. Additionally, the warmth created by wearing socks may enhance the absorption process.