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ViVaPoRu – You Know You Want It

October 13, 2020 By Marta Darby

UPDATE: 10/20/2020 – COMMENTS CLOSED – WE HAVE A WINNER! 

Congratulations to Christine Crespo, the winner of the delightful VIvaPoRu soap and candle kit from Havana 78 Artisan Soaps. 

Please send an email with your mailing address so we can get your fabulously healing ViVaPoRu Set out to you ASAP! Congratulations! 

Thank you all for your participation! 

Also, CHRISTMAS IS COMING!  Don’t forget to put Havana 78 Artisan Soap Co.on your shopping list! 

Also, do yourself a favor and  please go follow follow @havana78soaps on Instagram. Tell them Marta sent you! 

***************************************************************

There are certain smells and fragrances that speak to me in a Cuban accent. 

Of course, there’s the aroma of freshly brewed cafecito. There’s the perfect Cuban bouquet flavor of carne con papas bubbling on the stove. And we can’t forget the ubiquitous perfumed baby’s head that delights with Agua de Violetas. You know what I mean.

It’s pretty much a Cuban thing, isn’t it? 

Here’s one more absolute Essence of Cubanity: ViVaPoRu (aka Vicks Vapo Rub). I can’t remember even once in my entire life when I got the sniffles that the first thing that came out wasn’t the the ViVaPoRu. On your chest and on the bottoms of your feet with some white socks over them. You were back in business in no time. Ah, the magic of Cubanity. 

I’m convinced it would knock out Covid, but gratefully, I don’t have to do that experiment, but that’s not importnat right now. 

The 7th MBFCF Fourteen Years in the Blogosphere Giveaway of 2020 is:

A healing ViVaPoRu Set from one of my favorite soap makers, Havana 78 Artisan Soap Co. which includes: A soap bar & wooden soap dish, coconut shell candle, and various trinkets that come with the gift set. (The wax warmer not included.)

This set practically sings, “Sana, sana, colita de rana.” (I know. Shut up.)

To enter the giveaway for this delightful ViVaPoRu Set, please leave a comment right here on THIS POST and tell me:

  1. Did you grow up with ViVaPoRu in the house? 
  2. If you have kids, do you cover them in the stuff when they’re sick? Tell me. 

I’ll be choosing ONE winner on Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 at 11:00 am PST. You have until then to enter. 

Good luck and wash your hands! 

Oh, the Cubanity! 

You might also like:

Havana 78 Soaps The Art Room – Home of the Hand Painted Cafetera My Life Runs on Cafe La Llave Habana Brand Clothes for Life

Filed Under: Cuban-American Life, Giveaways Tagged With: Havana 78 Soap, Vicks VapoRub, ViVaPoRu

Previous Post: « Santayana Azabache Bracelet Because You Need This in 2020
Next Post: The Art Room – Home of the Hand Painted Cafetera »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Isabel says

    October 13, 2020 at 11:48 am

    Sin duda ViVaPoRub fue y es parte de la decoracion en nuestra mesitas de noche en el cuarto y lo primero que usamos cuando tenemos algun malestar.

  2. Jeanette says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:06 pm

    Of course I grew up with ViVaPoRu!!! What Cuban family didn’t??!! I have passed on the torch to my kids!! Proud Mami moment when I visit them, and I see proudly displayed in their medicine cabinet…ViVaPoRu!!!

  3. Ody says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    Yes!!!! I grew up with it.
    From insect bites to coughs!!!

    Beso!!!
    Ody

  4. Christine Crespo says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    Yes, to both 1 & 2! My abuelita used to heat it up in a spoon. I used to joke that she was cooking drugs. Lol

  5. Marisol says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    Is it weird that I love this smell? I put it in my nose when it’s stuffed. And I love to use it in the vaporizer when the kids are sick.

  6. Pilar says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    Soooo funny! Mi mami swore by this stuff, it was always on the night stand growing up. The simple scent reminds me of mi Mami QEPD!
    Have I become my Mami? You bet! My kids will remember this as well, Nana used it on them and Mami does too. Of course they are now 24, 22, 16. Todos hombres ya!

  7. SAYIB GARCIA says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    Omg my i bathed my kids on that when they are sick. lol

    • Roni says

      October 14, 2020 at 3:34 am

      Yep, grew up being slathered by Vicks Vapor Rub by my mom, and my son refuses to tell me he’s sick, so I dont pull out “the blue jar”, lol. I even carry the VapoInhalers in my purse during allergy season….still! Love this stuff!

  8. Meg R. says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    1. Yes
    2. No, but an organic version that smells similar.
    Thanks!

  9. mercy says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:35 pm

    Of course, I grew up with vi va po ru, what cuban family doesn’t. no kids but I still use it even more out here in AZ for those dry winters. You crack me up “Sana, sana, colita de rana”

  10. Alina Reih says

    October 13, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    Yes, ViVAPoRu was a staple at my house growing up, no cold would get away without a good rubdown!! So was Alcamfor, not sure if this is how you spell it but my grandmother would sow a tiny pouch to put it in and it went along with the ViVaPoRu. And yes, my son who is a grown man today, was cover in this stuff whenever sick. My husband, who is American, though I was crazy. He would always say, “must be a Cuban thing.” After 43 years of marriage, he is used to our craziness and all the kissing and hugging that goes on!!

  11. Lidia Rosado says

    October 13, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    I didn’t do much ViVaPoRu but I guess what little I did was passed on to my adult son that suffers from migraines and swears by this remedy. He keeps one on his nightstand. Puts on his forehead and nose and works miracles for him.

  12. Pilar Vasallo says

    October 13, 2020 at 1:59 pm

    There is no doubt that all Cuban parents and their Cuban-American offsprings all swear by this miracle menthol healer-of-all-ailments. I most definitely grew up with ViVaPoRu in my household, rubbed it all over my kids chest, earlobes, etc., and still do. We’re now on our fourth generation of ViVaPoRu raised Cubans who all swear by it. I’d love to win this prize to light it up and bring back the memories and healing ju-ju of our past generations, who got us all hooked on this rub.

  13. Marsha McTigue says

    October 13, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    We always had a jar of Vick’s in the medicine cabinet. When we couldn’t stop coughing at night, my Dad would come and stick a small glob of it down our throats!! It’s s a wonder we grew up!! I always have a jar at all times too, 60 years later.

    • Margaret says

      October 13, 2020 at 3:52 pm

      Yes! Of course! Grew up putting ViVaPoRu on the chest,nose and forehead when sick. I also use it on my son when he is sick. Slab it on brown paper bag and heat it up a little then put on his chest under his undershirt. He can then breath and get some sleep! Always have a jar in the medicine cabinet.

  14. Miriam Somoano says

    October 13, 2020 at 2:39 pm

    I grew up with VivaPoRu, happily still use it and so does my husband… we have been married for 56 years and our house always have it on hand…

    • Elena Neff says

      October 13, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Not only did I grow up with VivaPoRu but my kids and now their kids use it too! It’s magical powers can cure anything from a broken heart to keeping outdoor bugs away. #sanasanaculitoderana

  15. Karlene Diaz says

    October 13, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    Oh my god- yes!!! The Greeks have Windex and the Cubans have Vicksvaporub!!

    1. What cuban household doesn’t have it…its a year round staple in our house, right next to newsprint.

    2. I put vicks everywhere, even on my feet and then I put socks…want to hear something funny- my mom said that my grandfather has even swallowed it, lol but shh don’t tell anybody

  16. Elsa Villar says

    October 13, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    I grew up with Vi Va Po Ru in the house, my kids would not let me get near them with a jar of it. Growing up in SC I remember being sent to the Pharmacy to pick up a jar, and coming home empty handed since I could not find Vi Va Po Ru in the shelves and no one knew what I was taking about in the Pharmacy. I was shown the jar by my mother when I got home and for the first time realized it was Vick Vapor Rub. That was 55 years ago.

  17. Carie says

    October 13, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    Niña did I grow up with ViVaPoRu of course was there sny other way!? And my daughters, now 30 & 27, still will ask me if I think ViVaPoRu would help with their colds. That is a “medication” for life!! Felicidades Marta!

  18. Caty Cano Smith says

    October 13, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    We are four living generations of Cuban women continuing to spread joy and love to our friends and family with some Vicks always in our purses and nightstands. My 5 year old daughter, Penelope, insists on having a jar also…If you are feeling far from home, ajo y vivaporu usually does it for me!

  19. Gladys Casper says

    October 13, 2020 at 6:05 pm

    VivaPoRu was always the remedy for chest congestion and colds. Vaporizer in the room too!
    As a wife and mom I use it in our household-27 years and going! Es lo mejor!!! I love the original but I’ve also tried the lavender scented Vicks.

  20. Monica Ceballo says

    October 13, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    Totally a staple in my house, even have the children’s rub! Got to start them early.

  21. Maria Youkhana says

    October 13, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    I grow up with a Cuban family that when you would get sick VivaPoRu was rubbed on you from head to toe then with a warm blanket straight out of the dryer wrapped completely around you so your body would absorb the VivaPoRu! I miss those days. I did the same to my kids when they were young. Time to time my grown kids when their not feeling well they would shout out…”Mami Where is the VivaPoRu”?! I always have 2 or 3 of them stocked in my bathroom cabinet, that’s the Cuban in me🇨🇺

  22. Esther says

    October 13, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    Yes and Yes.
    I grew up with Vick’s Vaporub and I remember my mom rubbing it on my chest when I had a cold and couldn’t breath well at night. Then when my kids were born I did the same thing plus also put it in the vaporizer when they were sick and also because my son had asthma as a child so it was wonderful!! I still use it and I’ve also heard you should apply it at night before going to bed on the bottom of your feet then wear socks (when you are sick that is..😀). Soooo it will definitely also be part of my ancianidad!
    👵👨‍🦳 🛵🦼

  23. Carmela C. says

    October 13, 2020 at 8:54 pm

    Of course, my family grew up with it. I put it on my feet and upper chest when I’m sick and put a touch in my nostrils when I’m stuffy. Works wonderfully.

  24. Tp says

    October 14, 2020 at 6:08 am

    Still use it…still love it! I’ve used it for colds, muscle aches and pains, scrapes, insect bites, crusty feet and elbows. You name it! Just like the Greek father in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” used Windex as cure all, Cubans call on ViVaPoRu to do the job. Its unique scent brings on comforting memories that serve as a balm for the soul.

  25. Elenita Duelo says

    October 14, 2020 at 8:37 am

    Oh my god, you just brought back a wonderful memory! My mom would put Vick’s Vapor Rub on my chest and then cover it with wax paper. It seems like yesterday but this was back in the mid50’s to mid 60’s.

    I have to admit I never used it on my kids (what kind of mother was I 😉

  26. Lourdes S. says

    October 14, 2020 at 9:08 am

    Yes, I also grew up with ViVaPoRu. My mother and grandmother slathered it on my sister’s, brother’s and my chest when we even had an inkling of an oncoming cold. They would place facial tissues on our chests after rubbing it on so that it wouldn’t stick to our pajamas! Lol. I also would rub it on my child’s chest and bought the plugin Vaporizer for her room and the Vapo Shower tablet! Uhhhmm…overkill? Haha.

    True story: I also had a boss that would buy the Vick’s Vapor Rub inhaler and would use it once every day. Or she would put a tiny amount of the ointment on the tip of each nostril! It’s a Cuban thing!

  27. Bohemian Babushks says

    October 14, 2020 at 11:20 am

    Pero of course en Casa BB the tradition of this magic elixir is in the 4th generation (here in the states). It was used on BB y The Trio y ahora The Grands. Gracias for the memorias and the cool giveaway. BB2U

  28. Faustino Rodriguez says

    October 14, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    Yes of course we had ViVaPoRu in the house when I was growing up. My mom used to slather our chests with it when we had a cold. She also put some on our feet followed by white cotton socks.
    I still use it to this day.
    I don’t have any kids.

  29. Gina says

    October 14, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    1) YES! My mom used to just call it ‘biks’ 😆
    2) I do use it on my kids, just I’m a little less, umm, generous in the application than my mom used to be.
    Do I get bonus points for getting my gringo husband to use it, too?

  30. Julie Becerra Ravelo says

    October 14, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    I definitely grew up with vi va poru all over my chest and under my nose. I don’t remember it on my feet. However, I spared my children of it while they were growing up.

  31. Rebekah Lopez says

    October 14, 2020 at 5:51 pm

    I grew up with Vi Va poru and it was taken on trips!
    Then I had my own kids – colds, bronchitis and krup cough! We would put it on the humidifier before they came out with the liquid to put as steam!
    Then with a handkerchief we put it on the chest and the feet to go to sleep!
    Oh the Cubanity!
    Yep! I even have a mask from Martha of Miami! 😉😂

  32. SARAH ARTIS says

    October 15, 2020 at 7:31 am

    My beautiful Abuelita raised me. Vivaporu was a staple in our casita, along with the galleticas y 7up. Ironically, I just spoke to my 23 year old daughter, who no longer lives at home. She said she misses how I’d sneak into her room and slather her in Vivaporu at the slightest hint of a cough, sniffle or temp above 98.6 LOL.

    I carry on the tradition in my home. And, if I’ve done my job right as a Mother, mis hijos will do the same. xoxo

  33. Rosa Gutierrez says

    October 15, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    Girl, we’ve got the Costco size vivaporu in our house! I grew up with it. My husband grew up with it. And now, my kids even ask for it – they know. Cough, stuffy nose – go grab the Vicks! In Winter, when we’re all acatarrados it’s the main scent of the household! And I’m sure that we’ll be keeping Vicks in business for many generations to come!

  34. Isa says

    October 17, 2020 at 11:13 am

    My family used vivaporu since we were all small. When I had my oldest child he was born with lots of respiratory issues and the doctors banned Vick’s on him so I had to Leann new remedies for him. I still have vivaporu

  35. mirtha martin says

    October 19, 2020 at 11:46 pm

    I grew up thinking ViVaPoRu is something EVERY family had and used for ALL illnesses. Our three sons are grown now and I used it with them. Mostly to share stories of what my abuelita and abuela would say. Proud to be one of the few that can say that ViVaPoRu brings a smile to my face thinking about it.

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