Vapor Rub- A memory
That menthol scent triggers such memories.
“Put Vicks on your chest, forehead, under your nose, on your feet...”
My mother’s voice rings in my ear as I open a jar. The viscous white elixir was the fixer of all problems.
“Put some on your knee if it’s aching.”
It’s a comforting smell that’s followed me from childhood. It cures, it blankets, it reminds me of my mother and navigating everything that ails you.
“The best way to get rid of that cold is to rub some Vicks on your chest and put a warm cloth on.”
It may not fix the economy, or politics, or relationship problems, but it heals something nonetheless.
That smell, that overly minty scent that you inhale and just feel better from breathing it in.
It’s the scent of care
“If you’re sick, put on some Vick’s and you’ll feel better.”
Sometimes, when life is hard, all I want to do is open some Vicks and let the menthol make me well.
Comments
Thanks for reminding me of Vic Vapour Rub. Cara. I loved it too, Soo much so that I actually ate it on occasion.
Author
My mother uses it on literally everything. If I’m sick, I have to put on some Vicks.
I remember that too.
I know exactly what you mean. I don’t think it is used as much now as it was. I can also remember rubbing it on other places which felt quite delicious also
Author
My mother gives it to people for Christmas and other occasions and I’ve taken to buying some to have around. It’s expensive for what you get, but I can’t help but have it
Oh this indeed brings back memories of my childhood and my mom too. I now want to go buy some Vicks, of only for the smell!
Rebel xox
Ha ha. The idea of opening my Christmas presents and finding some Vicks Vapour rub inside! It is good stuff but wow, your mum sounds an interesting woman. xx
Author
She is. She swears by it though so she’s convinced it fixes a lot of things that ail a person
I must get a jar – I haven’t used it since childhood!
Author
Do. I have to have a jar nearby because of my mom
I remember that! for me and using it with my kids – so soothing x
Author
It is!
I feel the same about the smell of Karvol capsules, they remind me of childhood and being looked after
Author
The best feeling in my opinion.
I love how the same scent can mean such different things for different people; for me, Vicks will always remind me of my early twenties because my friends and I used to use Vicks inhalers at raves! We didn’t just inhale them, but flipped them around and blew the menthol into other people’s faces. >< This made me think too of how deeply our comfort pathways run.