It's cold season folks! Hopefully you've been able to avoid a cold so far. A cold can really make you feel awful with all the symptoms -- stuffy nose, sore throat and coughing. The worst part of it to me is not being able to breathe out of my nose. It makes it so difficult to sleep! Essential oils can really help to clear out congestion and get you breathing better in no time.
The best essential oils for a cold are eucalyptus and peppermint. Eucalyptus essential oil is an expectorant (meaning it helps you expel mucous) and antiviral, making it the ultimate essential oil for a cold or a flu. Peppermint essential oil is mainly composed of menthol, which helps to ease the headaches and stuffiness that come with illness. Both provide a cooling sensation to inflamed sinuses.
In addition to eucalyptus and peppermint, I've added lavender to this chest rub. The scent of lavender has been shown to reduce headache symptoms and induce relaxation. So if you're feeling super stuffed up and just icky all around, lavender will help ease the discomfort.
This chest rub is perfect for applying right before bedtime or really any time of day that you need some relief! The recipe below is made with the essential oil dosage for adults (age 13+).
It's important to know that while essential oils come from plants, that doesn't mean you don't need to be careful with how you use them- they're extremely potent!
If you want to make this recipe for children 5-12, use 1/4 of each of the essential oil amounts. For younger children, its best to diffuse the oils into the air using a diffuser rather than topical application.
Ingredients
- 30 grams beeswax
- 90 grams coconut oil
- 120 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 12 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- In a double boiler, or a heatproof bowl set over a pan of boiling water, heat beeswax and coconut oil until thoroughly melted. Remove from heat.
- Whisk in the essential oils and then pour into a tin or glass container that can hold 1 cup of liquid- work quickly, the mixture will begin to harden within a couple minutes. Place a lid loosely on the container to keep the oils from escaping and let cool until hardened.
- To use, rub onto chest and breathe deeply. For short term use only, ie. the length of your cold or flu.
What are some of your best go-to natural cold and flu remedies?
Hello, Thank you for the recipe. Can just coconut oil be used instead of some beeswax? If so, how much coconut oil is needed to substitute for the missing beeswax? Also, is there another sub for beeswax?
ReplyHey Rachelle, A wax is actually needed for an easily spreadable consistency. Soy wax can be used in the same amount. Carnuba wax can also be used but only use half the amount. Hope that helps! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Who knew this could be so easy to make! Bet it smells amazing! I love the smell of eucalyptus 😍 For sure going to try this when I next get a cold- all for using something more natural! Thanks for the post! x
ReplyHey Ashley! Right?! DIY projects can come off as being complicated or time consuming, but they are so much easier and economical in the long run! Happy you enjoyed it :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Thanks for the recipe! I see that it is for short-term use only... how long will it last before going bad? Is it fine to store at room temperature? Thanks again!
ReplyHi Patricia, with these type of natural products they are best kept in the fridge if you plan on keeping them more than a few months. I let my nose tell me when it's no longer good. Typically oils start to get a rancid smell and you know it's no longer good. I would imagine it will last about a season.