Replied by Rob from Kentucky on 10/18/2025

Currently (10/18/25) everyone including young kids are getting sick with something like a head cold. I am telling everyone to use an Old-time Remedy that has been around since the start of the 1900’s.

Vicks inhalation for a head cold involves using hot steam, either from a bowl of hot water with added Vicks VapoRub or a dedicated Vicks steam inhaler, to help relieve congestion by thinning mucus. It's important to use hot water.

From the book: Town Journal, Vol. 33, p. 29, December 11,1926.

Head Colds relieved with VAPORS

Snuff a little Vicks well up the nose or melt in a cup of hot water and inhale. Medicated vapors reach the air passages direct. For other cold troubles rub Vicks on the throat and chest.

From the label of a Vicks Vapor jar 1950’s. (yea… I collect weird stuff)

If there is much MUCUS or PHLEGM in the air passages, or much irritation or COUGHING, melt a spoonful of Vicks VaporRub in a vaporizer or bowel of boiling water. Then inhale the steaming vapors. Every few hours put some VapoRub up nostrils and snuff well back. At bed time, massage on throat, chest, back and bottom of feet as with simple colds.

Note: I’ve wrote a Article about, DIY Old School Steam Inhaler Nebulizer

See Article here: https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Old-School-Steam-Inhaler-Nebulizer/

I remember as a kid back in the 1970’s, my country Grandmother (she was born in 1911) putting a “whistling” tea kettle on the stove and when it started to “whistle” she would set in front of it (about a foot 12”) and inhale the steam. I also remember her putting a spoonful of Vick’s Vapor-Rub into the water. As the kettle got hot, the salve would melt and release the medical oils into the steam. I don’t remember her ever use the kettle to make tea in so I’m sure it was for steaming only.

I have not seen anyone mention this use of a tea kettle on the internet. It’s always some company’s selling some fancy electric device or something like that.