This Realtionship Is Over.

November 14, 2012 by bfm | 3 Comments

Have you seen the claim circulating the internet (for years) that you could slather Vick’s on someone’s feet who was sick with a cold, cover feet in socks over night and they would wake up COLD-FREE in the morning?  I saw this allegation when we lived in STX and was AWESTRUCK!  I am a Vick’s Lover.  I have memories of my parents COVERING me from head to toe in Vick’s at any sign of a cold…on cold winter nights.  I knew, that one day, I. Must. Try. This.

Upon our return back home to Texas, one major thing has struck the Fisherman and me.  Everyone Has Cancer.  It is really sad. And of course, I could never say why or what the cause is other than toxins in our environment (duh).  But from where?  How do you pinpoint? Because of course if you could, then BAM! Just eliminate and no more cancer.  It is my theory that because we did with so much less, including toxins, on St. Croix, that we have not been exposed to them as much*.  My theory, people, just a theory.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am keenly aware here in the states what I put on my body and in my body.  I’m not to the freak-a-zoid 100 percent-I-make-my-own-air person, but I am slowly changing my ways {thus, my family must suffer the consequences AND reap the benefits}

And so, back to my love affair with Vick’s Vapor Rub.  The time of year is upon us in my house where my kids are stuffy, snotty and drippy and I want to COVER them in Vick’s.  My desire was shot down when I read a mom’s story relating  the above mentioned Vick’s-on-the-feet treatment and her child’s Exema.  There is obviously no proof that the Vick’s Vapor rub is the cause of the child’s exema.  This claim made me curios and dig deeper about Vick’s.

Uggh.  The lust I have towards Vick’s was slowly being crushed with every new article my eyes met.  Here is the short list of toxic ingredients:

Camphor**: Contributes to the vapor quality.  Toxic levels are anything over 11 percent.  Vick’s has 5  percent.
Turpentine Oil: Also aids in the vapor qualities.  Also, it is a paint solvent.
Laureth 7:  which comes from ethylene oxide and lauryl alcohol, serves an emulsifier. A common, probably too common, component found in detergents, cleaners and paint.
Petrolatum: THIS is what make’s Vick’s, Vick’s. The silky, thick salve substance you scoop out of the container and rub on chest, neck and nose. Derived from petroleum (aka crude oil) it is approved by the USFDA as a glide in ointments and cosmetics.  Petrolatum has been found in cancerous tumors (breast, coincidently the same area where we like to RUB Vick’s), causes suffocation of the skin, premature aging and aggravated acne.

This is what I know so far.  I have a tub of Vick’s still in my medicine cabinet.  When SC laid in bed the other night, she sniffed and said “Will you rub some Vick’s on my chest?” I hesitated. And then did so.  But I didn’t like it too much.  “Here, my sweet, beautiful, innocent, pure child, let me take a glob of the crude oil and purposefully rub it on your chest for your skin to absorb, KNOWING that the ingredients have cancer causing agents in them.”  I also know that in reality, it would take a hell of a lot of Vick’s on my child’s skin on a regular basis for her to receive the toxic levels. Or do I?

So, what is an alternative to Vick’s?  What product deserves my love and affection? What else provides the same soothing qualities but is safe enough to put on even the youngest of young’s skin without harm?

Well, look what I found.  Natural commercial products that compare to Vick’s:

Which have great results, but guess what?  You can make your own soothing salve.  My MIL introduced me to Almond Glow years ago and I have been hooked ever since.  I do not like lotion and the way my skin feels.  Applying all natural but oil to your damp skin after a shower leaves your skin hydrated and silky smooth; especially in this dry weather.  There are SEVERAL all natural nut oils that are perfectly safe to apply to your skin for absorption; coconut is also wonderful.

Use this as a base and add a couple of drops  of an essential oil like Eucalyptus or Lavender and you have a Vick’s-like-product with out toxins. (This brand makes a lavender-scented oil)

Now, maybe I can break the Vick’s habit and my daughter will pass down a tradition taught to her by her mother of using only the purest products on your skin with both breasts still attached to her body.

Sorry Vick’s, but I think I must end this relationship.  It’s going to be hard with out you, but it’s just not healthy anymore. No, really, it’s for the best.

xo
bfm.

* The other  side to that story is we lived on a small island with a decrypted oil refinery…spewing toxins in every direction, so there ya’ go.
**My MIL’s mother would pour straight Camphor INTO her  wound.

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