Homemade Vapor Rub

This is one of those recipes you hope to never have to use.  But when you need it, you’ll be soooooooo glad to have it!

So whip up a batch of this natural vapor rub now when you feel well.  It’s very easy to make and only takes two ingredients plus essential oils.

Then when the stuffy nose, congestion, coughing, cold, aches, and trouble sleeping come, you’ll be ready.

Of course, getting sick is no fun.  So let’s do all we can to stay healthy. Here are a few more favorite essential oil recipes to help you try to keep everyone in your home healthy and well.

• support immune system:  diffuser blends, room sprays, immune support foot rub
• disinfect with this “Lysol” spray
• stop the spread of germs with foaming hand soap and hand sanitizer
• make sure everyone stays well rested with this sleep spray, this calming magnesium cream, and these sleep diffuser blends

What is homemade vapor rub used for?

• temporary relief of stuffy nose and congestion
• supports immune system
• soothes sore muscles
• temporarily supports clear breathing
• helps get a good night’s sleep
• soothes coughs

Which essential oils are used in this natural chest rub recipe?

• peppermint essential oil

The main constituent in peppermint essential oil is menthol.

It opens and clears sinuses, which lessens the feelings of stuffy head and nose.

Peppermint also helps to relieve headaches.

It has a cooling and refreshing effect which can reduce fever.

And it has analgesic properties which help lessen aches and pain.

• eucalyptus essential oil

Eucalyptus is a great expectorant.

It helps open airways and naturally helps ease congestion by clearing the body of excess mucus.

It’s great for respiratory issues like stuffy head and chest.

• lemon essential oil

Lemon helps slow respiratory problems related to colds and coughs.

It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Lemon oil helps open airways and loosen coughs.

• lavender essential oil

Lavender is very soothing.

It promotes deep relaxation as well as helps get a good night’s sleep.

Lavender is also a natural pain reliever, lessens headaches, and fights seasonal allergies.

• tea tree essential oil

Tea tree is antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory  so it helps lessen sore throat, coughs, and congestion.

How to make a natural chest rub with essential oil?

step 1: add 2 tablespoons of beeswax to a heat-safe glass measuring cup or bowl

step 2:  melt beeswax

Place heat-safe glass measuring cup in pot of simmering water.  The simmering water will gently warm the measuring cup and melt the beeswax.  (this technique is called the double boiler method)

Stir beeswax occasionally as it melts

step 3:  add 1/2 cup coconut oil

note: if you don’t care for coconut oil, you can substitute babassu oil.

step 4:  Stir occasionally.  Melt completely until it’s completely liquid and no pieces of beeswax remain.  This can take 10-15 minutes.

step 5:  remove from heat and allow to cool for a couple minutes

step 6:  add the following essential oils

20 drops peppermint essential oil

20 drops eucalyptus essential oil

15 drops lemon essential oil

15 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops tea tree essential oil

note: this is a 3% dilution.  For occasional use by adults and kids 10+.

see below for alternative recipes for kids age 2-5 and another for kids age 6-9.

step 7:  pour into airtight container (makes 4-5 oz of vapor rub)

(glass, metal, plastic #1 PET & plastic #2 HDPE jars are all safe for diluted essential oil blends like this)

step 8: clean up

Beeswax is hard to clean up with just soap & water.  So before it hardens, use paper towels to wipe out the glass bowl/measuring cup and any utensils you used to stir the mixture.  Then once you’ve wiped off as much as you can, wash as usual with soap and water.

step 9:  allow to completely cool and solidify all the way through the vapor rub before putting the lid on

note: you can put in the refrigerator to speed this step up

step 10 (optional):  If you use a tin container like I did, then you can decorate the lid with a little scrapbook paper and Modge Podge.

• cut out scrapbook paper to fit the lid
• use a foam brush to apply a little Modge Podge to the top of the lid (this acts as the glue)
• put paper on lid, and starting from the center, use your finger to press down and smooth out any bubbles
• then cover the top of the paper with a little more Modge Podge to seal the paper
• let it dry

Homemade Vapor Rub Recipe for Adults and Kids 10+

2 Tbsp beeswax

1/2 cup coconut oil

20 drops peppermint essential oil

20 drops eucalyptus essential oil

15 drops lemon essential oil

15 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops tea tree essential oil

Kid-Safe Vapor Rub Recipe for Kids 2-5

2 Tbsp beeswax

1/2 cup coconut oil

5 drops lavender

5 drops frankincense

10 drops cedarwood

5 drops lemon

5 drops tea tree

Kid-Safe Vapor Rub Recipe for Kids 6-9

2 Tbsp beeswax

1/2 cup coconut oil

10 drops lavender

20 drops frankincense

20 drops cedarwood

15 drops lemon

15 drops tea tree

How to use essential oil vapor rub?

• Apply a thick layer to upper chest.  Keep clothing around chest and throat loose to allow scent to reach nose and mouth.  If desired, you can cover with a warm dry cloth.
• I also apply a light coating of the vapor rub right under my nose
• Instead of applying to upper chest and under nose, you can apply vapor rub to feet and cover with socks
• tip:  If it’s cold in the room, then the vapor rub might be a little hard compared to store-bought vapor rub, but it will melt on contact with skin.

If you feel up to it, you may also want to try these essential oil recipes for clear breathing

• hot shower and these essential oil shower steamers
• essential oil diffuser blends that support clear breathing
• a breathe easy steamer

Where to get supplies?

Disclaimer: Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.  

organic, extra-virgin coconut oil (buy here)

organic, cosmetic-grade beeswax (buy here)

4 oz tin jars (buy here)

Modge Podge (buy here)

scrapbook paper (buy here)

adorable 2 oz glass mason jars (buy here)

wooden stick to stir (buy here)

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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care.  Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.