Vicks VapoRub has been a staple in many homes for over 100 years. The menthol ointment – originally named Vick’s Magic Croup Salve – was developed by a Greensboro, NC pharmacist named Lunsford Richardson. Richardson created the mixture of camphor, eucalyptus and menthol and introduced it in 1905, when he was just over 50 years old.
Renamed VapoRub in 1912, the thick emollient has been rubbed on the chests of many children and adults to suppress coughs and ease congestion. Over the years, however, many have discovered other uses for the salve – and you won’t believe what some of them are!! Watch to learn some of the things you can do!
Our obsession with this blue jar of minty goodness knows no end! There are numerous recipes for do-it-yourself concoctions and myriad uses touted. The unique combination of ingredients has given it a special place in modern culture.
Even in Jesus’ day, however, people used ointments, oils and salves for a variety of purposes. Three times in the Old Testament there is mention of a specific healing balm from an area by the Jordan River. An African American spiritual song highlighted the connection between this balm and the healing that Jesus provides.
“There is a balm in Gilead. To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead. To heal the sin sick soul.”
Jeremiah 8:22, says, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” As the song indicates, the true healing balm for humanity’s ultimate ailment – sin – is Jesus.
Isn’t that good news??
