Vicks vaporub is an ointment which is used to relieve nasal catarrh inflammation of mucous membranes in the nose and throat congestion a blocked nose sore throat and coughs due to colds vicks vaporub contains four active ingredients camphor turpentine oil levomenthol and eucalyptus oil levomenthol and camphor calm a cough eucalyptus oil and levomenthol relieve nasal congestion blocked nose eucalyptus oil relieves catarrh