How to Make Vapor Rub with Essential Oils
This vapor rub goes together quickly and easily and utilizes the power of eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and other essential oils.
Is your nose stuffy? Feeling a little phlegmy? Do your sinuses feel ready to explode? Congestion is no fun and it can be triggered not only by the common cold but also as a side effect of allergies and irritants in the air. Even things like pregnancy, menopause, and stress can cause congestion. This recipe helps fight the congestion so you can pioneer on. We all know a homestead waits for no one. Not even a sick person.
If making herbal remedies is new to you, this is a great starter salve. This vapor rub goes together quickly and easily, so you can be using it just a couple of hours after starting. Even faster if you put the finished product in the refrigerator to harden it up faster.
Homemade Natural DIY Vapor Rub Recipe
This is the recipe I’ve been using for the last 5 years (ever since we ditched the Vicks — which contains petroleum, a non-eco-friendly product). Petroleum contains xenoestrogens which may increase estrogen problems in the body. No one needs that in their life. Plus, petroleum does not add value to your skin. It merely acts as a barrier, which you don’t need if your skin isn’t broken. Coconut oil and cocoa butter add nutrients and moisture to the skin.
Ingredients
- 1/3 c. Coconut Oil
- 2 tbsp. Cocoa Butter
- 1 1/2 tbsp. Beeswax Block Shavings/Pellets/Pastilles
- 20 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 5 drops each Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Tea Tree Oil
It’s worth it to purchase high-quality oils when you’re using them for a medicinal purpose. Fear not, though. High quality doesn’t necessarily mean high cost. I really like Plant Therapy. They guarantee to have no synthetics and parabens as well as GMOs, SLS, and other artificial substances and are very reasonably priced. Doterra is another wonderful choice. I used it this last time because I happened to have it on hand. Doterra is pricier, but it’s good stuff.
Instructions
Using a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and cocoa butter. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can use a glass container held off the bottom of a saucepan with a canning ring. Don’t forget to add water to the saucepan. I’ve done that and I assure you that you’ll scorch your pan and still have solid cocoa butter.
Once melted, add the beeswax and stir gently until the wax is melted as well. I like to use wooden chopsticks or craft sticks (like wide popsicle sticks) to stir. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes. It will start to harden, but still, be mostly liquid.
Add the essential oils. It’s best not to add essential oils to a really hot salve base because heat may change the therapeutic benefits of the oils. Combine with a spoon or wooden chopstick. Pour your homemade vapor rub into a glass jar. As the mixture continues to cool the liquid will solidify, making it a creamy, spreadable rub.
Makes approximately 4 oz. Lasts about a month.
Homemade Vapor Rub with Eucalyptus & Other EOs
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Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ c. Coconut Oil
- 2 tbsp. Cocoa Butter
- 1 ½ tbsp. Beeswax Block Shavings/Pellets/Pastilles
- 20 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 5 drops (each) Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Tea Tree Oil
Instructions
- Using a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and cocoa butter.1/3 c. Coconut Oil, 2 tbsp. Cocoa Butter
- Once melted, add the beeswax and stir gently until the wax is melted as well.1 1/2 tbsp. Beeswax Block Shavings/Pellets/Pastilles
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes.
- Add the essential oils. Combine with a spoon or wooden chopstick.20 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil, 5 drops (each) Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Tea Tree Oil
- Pour your homemade vapor rub into a glass jar.
Notes
Required Disclaimers
If you are making this for children, please be aware that rosemary and peppermint essential oils are not recommended for kids under the age of 10. Eucalyptus may cause slower respiration in young children. Having said that, I’ve used a diluted version of this vapor rub recipe on my kids after the age of two. I cut the eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint down by about half.
For more cough and cold help, check out Homemade Fire Cider for Cold & Flu Season, Hyssop: Why You Need to Make Some Space for This Herb (scroll down to see my hyssop congestion tea recipe) and Homemade Cough Syrup with Lime, Thyme & Ginger.
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