It's the thymol in VapoRub that's the good stuff as far as I know, not menthol. Thymol, concentrated thyme extract basically, is a pretty potent anti-bacterial agent and kills fungi too. Put it on your toes to get rid of toenail fungus. I've applied a sheen of it to the screens of open windows, keeps the super tiny gnats and no-see-ums from trying to get through the mesh. A smear of the stuff on wooden stakes around your garden does a pretty good job of warding off pests too. I'll spread a layer on the inside lip of plant containers as a cat deterrent. Damn cats love to chew up any kind of garden or pole bean I start indoors, it's maddening. I've had other people tell me they anoint their boots and pants in strategic locations before hikes as it makes you a lot less appetizing for ticks, but I've never tried it.