camphor /oss/taxonomy/term/6166/all en The Rub on Vicks VapoRub /oss/article/critical-thinking-pseudoscience-you-asked/rub-vicks-vaporub <p>I was forwarded a short video with the alluring title, “Miracles Happen When You Apply Vicks VapoRub to Your Feet.” The speaker tells us in a compelling tone that the miracle is about inducing sleep and calmness, especially when suffering from a cold, by applying Vicks VapoRub to the soles of our foot and then donning socks. The speaker turns out to be a chiropractor and that already starts the alarm bells tingling.</p> Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:19:51 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 10589 at /oss Is there a legitimate medical use for camphor? /oss/article/you-asked-general-science/there-legitimate-medical-use-camphor <p>It wasn't so long ago that mothers would treat their children's colds by hanging little bags of camphor around their necks. The strong medicinal smell probably had some effect in opening up congested nasal passages, but the real value of the treatment undoubtedly was in stopping the spread of the cold by keeping friends at a distance. Camphor can be isolated from the camphor tree which grows in the Orient by a process known as steam distillation.</p> Tue, 29 Mar 2022 18:16:19 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9067 at /oss