Make your own vapor rub
I’ve officially gone off the deep end in terms of homemade stuff. My friend Anne would proclaim me “full hippy” at this point.
Last week Jack had the spring cold that everyone in the US is currently dealing with. Baby Vick Vapor Rub on his feet (and then covered in socks) and on his chest did seem to help. After I slathered some on him, I took at the look at the ingredients and thought “hey, I could make that”. It was simply petroleum jelly, and herb fragrance.
My idea was to get essential oils and put a few drops of each in his cool mist humidifier. That way it would be a continuous solution while he slept. I bought lavender, eucalyptus
, and rosemary essential oils from Amazon, but if you grow these herbs in your garden I would imagine you could stick some in your humidifier.
If you don’t have a humidifier, mix 2 drops of each oil with some Vaseline and rub on your chest and feet (then cover with socks). You could also mix 2 drops of each oil with a little water in a spray bottle and spritz on your pillow.
With the purchase of the essential oils, this is likely not a cheaper solution than just buying Vicks from the store. The oils will last me years and years, but Vicks is cheap. The appeal of making my own is that I know exactly what my kid is inhaling when he has a cold.
This is a great solution if you’re also dealing with a sick husband at home. It’s a scientific fact that man colds are 1,000,000 times worse than any cold a woman gets.
Boil a peeled, yellow onion in water until soft. Drain water & let cool. Add a bottle of eucalyptus oil. Mash with a fork. This is real,old fashioned vapor rub. My mom was a nurse and home remedy fanatic. This was given to her by an elderly patient of hers.
I make a muscle rub using a base of Lard, the lard makes my skin very soft and it seems to be a great carrier for the esential oils. Would be a great base for a vicks rub.
Try coconut oil. is thick and great for the skin. Add your essential oils and wola perfect.
I made a non petroleum jelly recipe from Pinterest that has been great! It is bees wax and olive oil, I used organic both and am thrilled with such a heathy alternative to Vaseline. This could be used here.
Mix a bit with Crisco Shortening and spread thinly. I actually had a Doctor recommend using Shortening to help me keep my skin smooth and moist to help heal my Excema so I know it’s safe to use on the body. 🙂
I bet this would be amazing with coconut oil instead. Thanks for sharing.
Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling…do we really want it on our skin??
I agree, we don’t need Petroleum on our skin.
You can use grape seed oil instead. Fabulous for your skin and completely organic, but will be a bit more liquidy! Perhaps a few drops of vegetable glycerin will thicken it a bit more (also fabulous for your skin and completely organic). Olive oil works too.
Cheers and here is to flu season! Love your page
!
My carrier of choice would be coconut oil.
Maty’s has an already made vapor rub with coconut oil and sunflower oil mixed with lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus. I will create my own using that exact mix. When lazy, Maty’s is the bees knees. <3
I know this is old… but you won me as a follower with this post!! I seriously laughed out loud!
Great idea! You are right about man colds…they are sooooooooooooooo much worse 😉
I would have to agree with you about men colds. Hubby has one at the moment…I keep reassuring him that it’s ONLY a cold lol. And that he had better not give it to me!
Thank you for the vapour rub recipe, Vicks is getting way too expensive.
Tania