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When a cold or flu strikes your home, relief is what you seek, and Vicks VapoRub is one of the most used products around this time of year. But did you know that VapoRub contains ingredients that can be toxic or even fatal, especially for young children and toddlers? It can also cause redness or irritation on the skin. This year, for a safe and all-natural solution, opt for our DIY Herbal Vapor Rub. This recipe is similar to the Vapor Rub, which you can buy in our apothecary if you decide not to DIY!
What’s in a Herbal Vapor Rub?
Let’s delve into the herbs and plants used in our Herbal Vapor Rub and their potent medicinal properties.
Eucalyptus
As an antimicrobial, antiseptic, expectorant, and decongestant, eucalyptus is a key ingredient for any winter home apothecary and the first ingredient for any good cough and congestion relief recipe. Eucalyptus helps with congestion by reducing mucus production and loosening congestion in the chest and nasal passages. This recipe calls for both dried eucalyptus and eucalyptus essential oil.
Pine Needles
Not everyone realizes that the pine tree (almost all species) is both medicinal and edible, but historically, particularly among indigenous tribes, pine needles have been used for centuries to ease congestion and other respiratory issues. Pine needles have expectorant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve lung and sinus congestion.
Rosemary
Rosemary, often thought of as little more than a common kitchen herb, is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral, and it can help with congestion by opening up sinuses and relieving inflammation.
Peppermint
Peppermint, another common household herb, contains menthol, which can help thin mucus, loosen phlegm, relax bronchial muscles, and open nasal passages. As an anti-inflammatory, it can also help to reduce inflammation in the respiratory system. This recipe calls for both dried peppermint and peppermint essential oil.
Making a Herbal Vapor Rub: A Quick Overview
Here's a quick overview of the process of making your own Herbal Vapor Rub. While the recipe is simple, it can be time-consuming depending on your oil infusion method. You can choose between a three-hour version or a four-week version. Both will result in an excellent end product. Once you have your infused oil, all you have to do is combine it with beeswax to create the salve and then add your essential oils. After that, you’ll bottle, cool, label, and store it.
Making a Herbal Vapor Rub: Step by Step
Again, the process is simple, and each step takes only a few moments, but there are infusion times to factor in.
The Ingredients
2 TBLS dried eucalyptus leaf
1 TBLS dried pine needles (chopped)
1 TBLS dried peppermint leaf
½ TBLS dried rosemary
1 cup of Olive, Avocado, Grapeseed, or other carrier oil.
3 tablespoons beeswax (vegan - use carnauba, paraffin, or soy wax)
15 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Making the Oil Infusion
There are two different ways to make the oil infusion: a quick version that takes 3 hours and a slow version that takes four or more weeks.
They both start the same way:
Add your dried herbs to the bottom of a small, sterilized Masson jar or similar. Ideally, the dried plant material will fill the jar somewhere between the 1/3rd and 1/2 levels.
Fill the rest of the jar up with your chosen carrier oil to about 1″ from the top. Use a clean chopstick or spoon handle to gently combine the herbs and oil, and release any air pockets in the jar.
The Three-Hour Version:
Place your glass jar in a saucepan with 2 or 3 inches of cold water. Gently bring the heat up to a low simmer and set the timer for 3 hours. Make sure that the water doesn’t boil. Don’t allow it to splash into the jar. If the pan gets low, add more water to avoid drying out and roasting your pan. Once the time goes off and the oil cools, strain the plant matter out with a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
The Four (or more) Week Version:
Instead of using heat to extract the plant’s healing properties, all this method requires is time. Place a lid on your jar and set it in a cool, dark place to do its thing. Give it a nice shake every few days, and when the four-week mark is up, you can strain the plant solids or leave the whole infusion for up to 6 weeks.
Making the Vapor Rub - The Method
You’ll need an old pot or pan and a clean jar or glass measuring cup for this part. It is unlikely you will ever get it thoroughly cleaned again, so we recommend against using your everyday kitchen items.
Add 1 cup of your infused oil and 1 oz (or 3 Tbls) of wax to your jar or measuring cup.
Fill your pot with 1” to 2” of water and carefully lower your jar with the salve mixture into the water. You are essentially creating a double boiler. Heat on low, stirring often until all of the wax has melted.
Once the wax has melted, allow the salve to cool slightly before adding your essential oils and stirring gently to combine.
Pour your vapor rub into clean tins, tubs, or bottles for storage and allow it to cool completely before closing them up and labeling them.
How to Use Herbal Vapor Rub
Use this rub in the same manner you would use Vicks. To help clear congestion and ease sinus pressure, rub a generous amount on the neck, chest, and upper back and allow the essential oil vapors to do their work! For children and those with sensitive skin, you can also rub this into the soles of the feet. Do not use it on children under two; never place it on the nose or face.
I hope you have enjoyed this lesson in making your own herbal Vapor Rub for your family! If you decide to whip up a batch, be sure to tell us all about it in the comments below, and tag us in those Insta picks @thisunboundlife.blog. Stay healthy, my friends, and as always, until next time,
Disclaimer:
Content from thisunboundlife.com is meant to be informational in nature. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Just because something is “natural” does not mean it’s safe for every person. Many plants should be avoided when pregnant or nursing; some can cause extreme interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
While we strive to be 100% accurate, utilizing information from scientific studies, trusted sources, and verified publications, we are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is solely up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed on this website and to ensure proper plant identification.
The information provided by this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before using herbal preparations, always research, speak to a professional regarding significant concerns, and never fail to seek medical advice when needed.