Adding the Vicks Plant to Your Home

After a recent move, I discovered an interesting plant growing in my yard. I recalled the previous homeowner telling me about a plant that she had purchased at a farmer’s market with medicinal powers rivaling aloe vera, but she couldn’t remember the name. Of course I wanted to figure out what this plant was and how it could be used.

After some research, I realized this fuzzy, semi-succulent was a Vicks plant (Plectranthus tomentosa). This is where Vick’s VapoRub gets its name. This rare herb, from the mint family, is excellent as a cascading plant to grow from a pot or basket, or can be planted directly in the ground. It has the appearance of a soft, leafy vine; tubular in the center and clumped velvety leaves. Opening the plant releases a menthol-eucalyptus-minty scent, similar to Vick’s VapoRub. These do not require a lot of water and they love sunlight. Vicks should be planted from spring through early fall.

How to Use Vick’s Plant*:

- Break up mucus – when boiled and inhaled

- Repel mosquitos – rub on skin

- Attract butterflies and bees

- Heal sores and insect bites

- Season food – research cooking recipes

Other names for the Vicks plant include: French Oregano (in Cuba) Puerto Rican Oregano, Indian Borage, Spanish Thyme, Mexican mint, Broadleaf Thyme, Menthol Plant, Vicks Plant, Spanish sage, Hung chanh (Vietnamese), Bruja Oregano (Puerto Rico), Patta Ajwayin (Hindi).

Considering adding this herb to your collection of plants. It's beautiful green leaves can help keep mosquitos and rabbits away.

Genesis 1:11-12

11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

*Disclaimer – This post is not meant to serve as a recommendation for medical treatments. Please do your own research and use caution whenever trying a remedy that you are unfamiliar with.