February 7, 2025
A generation or two ago, doctor’s visits weren’t as routine as they are now. Common illnesses such as colds and flu and communicable diseases like measles were treated with home remedies.
Every family had its “go to” treatments. Some families swore by toddies made from hot water, honey and lemon juice. Others believed that garlic was a cure for almost anything.
In my family, my parents had two home remedies that they used for everything from stomach upsets to headaches. My mother’s family were firm believers in the powers of Lipton’s noodle soup. During my childhood, Mom always had a box or two in the pantry. Any time one of my siblings or I were sick, we could count on a steaming bowl of Lipton’s noodle soup for lunch.
For something that was supposed to be good for us, Lipton’s soup tasted surprisingly good. I still occasionally make a batch for lunch, whether I’m sick or not. When I am sick, a bowl is the ultimate comfort food. I’m transported back to those childhood days when just having Mom bring me a bowl of soup was a sure cure for what ailed me.
Just in case the noodle soup didn’t fix whatever what wrong with us, my dad had another remedy that he guaranteed. Dad’s family believed in the curative powers of Vick’s VapoRub. I think that Vick’s was originally meant to ease the symptoms of colds and flu. Its mentholated vapors supposedly helped open stuffy nasal passages. Rubbing it on the neck and back was meant to help ease coughs.
As a home remedy, Vicks VapoRub has had a long history of being used in other ways. My dad rubbed it on his forehead to ease headaches. He also smeared it around his nostrils when he had a cold to help him breathe. I’ve even seen him swallow a dab to coat a sore throat. I later learned that Vicks was never meant to be used internally. I don’t think I’d use it now, but it never seemed to hurt Dad.
When I was young, Dad’s usual cure for whatever was wrong with my siblings and I was to smear a liberal coating of the smelly ointment on our necks, chests and backs. This was followed by pinning an old, woolen sock around our necks.
This week my husband and I came down with an upper respiratory virus. We’ve both been achy and feverish. We’re both coughing a lot, too. My husband took over-the-counter cold medicines and slept a lot. I, on the other hand, dug out the jar or Vicks VapoRub and smeared myself liberally. I also dosed myself with bowls of Lipton’s soup.
We’re both feeling better now. My husband says that this is typical of these seasonal viruses. My own view is that Mom’s comfort food and Dad’s Vicks have been the keys to my recovery. Just thinking about my parents and how they took care of me when I was sick as a child has comforted me. Maybe I didn’t recover any more quickly than my husband, but at least I had some good memories to distract me while I was sick. Ridiculous or not, I’m keeping my Lipton’s soup and Vicks.
Carol Stetser
Researcher
Larimer County Genealogical Society