Last Updated on October 4, 2022 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media article claims that Vicks Vaporub really work for weight loss solution. The claimant believes that we can make an excellent and effective homemade slimming cream by combining equal amounts of baking soda, rubbing alcohol, camphor powder, and ‘Vicks VapoRub’. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
A section of an article which shares various hacks of Vicks Vaporub reads, “We can make an excellent and effective homemade slimming cream by combining equal amounts of baking soda, rubbing alcohol, camphor powder, and ‘Vicks VapoRub’ in a large bowl. Just apply the mixture to our stomachs, arms, and thighs before a workout to unleash some extra calorie-busting power!”
Fact Check
What is Vicks Vaporub?
Vicks Vaporub is an ointment that is used to work as a cough suppressant. It is an over-the-counter medication, produced by the American consumer goods company Procter & Gamble. Vicks can be used on the chest, back, and throat for cough suppression or on muscles and joints for minor aches and pains.
Does applying Vicks Vaporub help in losing weight?
No. There is no scientific evidence to prove that the application of an ointment, like Vicks VapoRub, along with baking soda, camphor powder and rubbing alcohol, can eventually lead to weight loss. Any external application cannot help in burning fat naturally. In order to reduce or burn fat, a multidimensional approach is required. It includes eating a balanced diet with fibre and protein, avoiding alcohol, processed foods, sugar, and high-fat food items and inculcating physical activities such as exercise, strength training, and swimming in your daily regime.
Dr. Jyoti Agarkar, MD (Dermatology), says, “There are several misinformation related to usage of Vicks to treat cracked heels, toenails, fade stretch marks, heal rough skin, treat headaches, and keep outdoor bugs away, etc. But none of these are either recommended by the manufacturer or medically proven. Eucalyptus Oil in Vicks Vaporub can cause allergic reactions. In some cases, using Vicks on the skin might cause contact dermatitis.”
Can Camphor, in Vicks Vaporub or otherwise, have a beneficial side effect of reducing fat?
We asked experts of our Fact-Checking partner Amrita Centre for Advanced Research in Ayurveda (ĀCĀRA), regarding what Ayurveda mentions about camphor reducing belly fat.
Experts of ĀCĀRA say, “Udvartanam or massage of the body with herbal powders is recommended in Ayurveda as a supportive treatment for excess fat build-up. But not as a cure for it. And Camphor does not figure in the herbal ingredients recommended. Therefore, Ayurveda will not endorse the use of camphor for fat reduction.
Moreover, Camphor can also irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions in some individuals. For this reason, Ayurveda uses camphor dissolved in skin-friendly oils like coconut oil.”
Dr. P Rammanohar, Research Director, Amrita Centre for Advanced Research in Ayurveda, says, “Under Ayurveda, camphor is considered a skin irritant. It is never recommended to use directly on the skin in abundance.
Dr. Joyeeta Chowdhury, MD(Dermatology), says, “Camphor can act as a contact sensitizer to the skin. It usually causes irritation, and dermatitis to the skin, and a few cases of leukoderma have also been reported.”
Is there a cure for high body fat or obesity in Ayurveda?
Experts of ĀCĀRA state, “As per Ayurveda, obesity is a condition difficult to cure. In fact, it is almost an incurable disease as the line says – na hi sthulasya bheshajam.
There is no magical remedy for obesity. No single medicine, internal or external, can treat the problem. Stress management, lifestyle and diet constitute the main approach to treatment. Medicines, either external or internal, are only supportive. The more patients comply with the comprehensive protocol, the better the results. Obesity also requires an individualized treatment protocol.”
THIP Media Take: There is a lack of scientific evidence in proving that the application of Vicks help in weight loss. Instead, applying vicks can have some side effects to the skin, such as irritation, contact dermatitis or allergic reaction.
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