Stuffy nose? Congested chest? Sore throat? Coughing and sneezing?

Nobody likes to be sick.

Nobody likes to rub petroleum and turpentine on themselves while they are sick. Well that escalated quickly… I’m talking to you little blue tub of chemicals.

What is in Commercial Vapor Rub

• Petrolatum: (carcinogen, hormone disruptor, organ system toxicity)
• Turpentine Oil: (skin, eye and lung irritant, neurotoxin, poison)
• Eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils: (Seems like essential oils should be great ingredients. However there is no source stated for the EOs and they should not be used on children. Yet the products are advertised as safe for children 2 years+…)

How to make Natural Homemade Vapor Rub for Adults (and children age 16+)

Choose a small glass jar as a container for this recipe.

Star by melting 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of shea butter or cocoa butter in a double boiler (bowl over a pot of hot water). Add this mixture to the container.

Next add 25-30 drops of essential oils. This will be about a 3% dilution which is safe for short term use. Choose a mixture from the list of essential oils.

• Eucalyptus EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is a must for cold and flu season. It is antiseptic and antiviral which works to decongest, thin and loosen mucus (making it easier for the body to get rid of it).
• Rosemary EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which helps to open up nasal passageways, clear mucus, and kill viruses and bacteria.
• Peppermint EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antiseptic and antiviral, helping to open up nasal passageways and kill viruses and bacteria.
• Pine EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and a strong antiseptic, which helps to loosen and clear mucus.
• Thyme EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and a decongestant, which thins and loosens mucus (making it easier for the body to get rid of it).
• Fir Needle EO (Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which helps to open up nasal passageways, clear mucus, and kill viruses and bacteria.
• Frankincense EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which kills bacteria and helps to loosen mucus from the lungs.
• RC EO Blend (Young Living): This is a blend of eucalyptus, myrtle, spruce, peppermint, pine, lavender, marjoram, and cypress. It is a great essential oil blend to have in place of the others.
• Respir Aid EO Blend (Plant Therapy) This is a blend of eucalyptus, pine, peppermint, lavender, spruce, cypress, and marjoram. It is a great essential oil blend to have in place of the others.

{I use and recommend Young Living Essential Oils and Plant Therapy Essential Oils because they are 100% pure quality essential oils. There are other reputable essential oil companies to purchase from. Your local drug store’s cheap essential oil can give you a rash and not have the same positive effects because most only contain about 10% of the pure oil and the rest is filled with synthetics. Do your research and find a company you feel comfortable purchasing from.}

Finally mix everything together and let it set to a good consistency. Need it right away? Put in the fridge to set it quickly. Apply to chest and bottom of feet. [I like to put a little dab under my nose to breathe it in all day.]

How to make Natural Homemade Vapor Rub for Children (age 2-15) and Pregnant/Nursing Mamas

Choose a small glass jar as a container for this recipe.

Start by melting 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of shea butter or cocoa butter in a double boiler (bowl over a pot of hot water). Add this mixture to the container.

Next add 8-10 drops of essential oils. This will be about a 1-1.5% dilution which is safe for children over 2 years old. Choose a mixture from the list of essential oils. (This list does not include Eucalyptus EO, Peppermint EO, Rosemary EO or some of the EO blends because they are not safe for young children. If you are interested in safe essential oils for children or adults, I recommend reading “Essential Oil Safety” by Robert Tisserand.)

• Pine EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and a strong antiseptic, which helps to loosen and clear mucus.
• Thyme EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and a decongestant, which thins and loosens mucus (making it easier for the body to get rid of it).
• Fir Needle EO (Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which helps to open up nasal passageways, clear mucus, and kill viruses and bacteria.
• Frankincense EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which kills bacteria and helps to loosen mucus from the lungs.
• Sniffle Stopper EO Blend (Plant Therapy): This is a children’s blend of fir needle, rosalina, spruce, cypress, spearmint, and cedarwood.

Finally mix everything together and let it set to a good consistency. Need it right away? Put in the fridge to set it quickly. Apply to chest and bottom of feet.

Happy Vaporubbing 🙂

What remedies do you use for illness? Do you use natural, conventional medicine, or both?