Vicks VapoRub is just a clear ointment your mother probably smeared on your torso when you were sick as a kid. The gel has a potent aroma that opens your airways up and helps you breathe , but it would appear it can fix the flu and colds as well. Based on experts, putting on socks and rubbing the ointment onto your own soles may see to your cough or cold in just a couple of days.