All Natural Vick’s Vapo Rub Recipe
Ugh, it’s cold a flu season. And a rotten cold is why I haven’t been around as much. I suppose it’s not a terrible time of year to snuggle in a watch about 20 movies (give or take) but when you are hit hard and need a little relief from chest pain and cough there is nothing like camphor and menthol, otherwise known as the active ingredients in Vick’s Vapo Rub.
Always one to make the most natural of just about anything (check out the Natural Skincare Series for more natural recipes), I thought that making my own might be just what the doctor ordered. If you would like to make a nice natural version of the stuff, here is the recipe. This makes 3 x 4 oz tins.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup grated beeswax
- 35 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 30 drops mint essential oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 15 drops rosemary essential oil
- 10 drops camphor essential oil
Directions:
Melt the oils and wax over a double boiler. Stir in essential oils. Pour into metal tins and let set. Re-melt to add more essential oils if you want it a bit stronger.
To Use:
Rub All Natural Vick’s Vapo Rub on your chest to help sooth congestion and cough. Rub under nose for stuffy nose and sore skin from scratchy tissues. Have someone rub some on your feet just because it feels good to get a foot rub when you have a rotten cold.
Thank you so much for this recipe. I use essential oils all the time and they really work. I order mine online from Young Living Essential Oils.
Yours in art,
Pamela
Thanks for sharing the recipe and all the others that I have seen on your blog page. I have a quick question ~ When the recipe calls for coconut oil, is the measurement in the semi-solid state or after it is liquidfied? I’m never sure
Hi Deborah, you are very welcome!
I measured it for this recipe in the solid state but really packed it into the measuring cup.
This is fantastic! My daughter is suffering a bad cold right now, and we just bought the ‘other’ kind :-(
I would love to give the all natural rub a try! Do you know how long it lasts shelf-life wise?
Thanks so much for sharing!
How long does this last for?
Hi Cerena, I can’t be 100% sure, but since coconut oil is antifungal and antibacterial as is the lavender and rosemary oils, it should preserve the rub for a while. I would say that if you keep it in a fairly cool and dark place, perhaps 6 months to a year. I would just keep a eye (and nose) out for any strange colour changes or odours. If you notice anything that doesn’t look or smell right, throw it away and make another batch. Thanks for stopping by.
Ahhh this is perfect for flu season! I’m so excited to make this!
Rub some on the bottom of your feet when you have a cough, I swear it calms a cough! Tried & true! My 11 year old will ask for it to be able to go back to sleep on nights she has a cough. W*O*R*K*S!!!!
What a wonderful idea. I am going to try this one. Thank you for sharing x
lavender is a super disinfectant…should last at least a year. BTW lavender, red clover, and chamomile make a great restful tea that can assist in curing infections and also will make you sleep. Be carefu drinking this then driving though.
Is there something to use in place of the lavender? I’m highly allergic to it but want to try to make my husband his own “Vicks” because he uses the stuff religiously.
Allison, just leave the lavender out. It will not change it’s effectiveness.
Sweet. Thank you!
This is something I never thought I would be making myself, but I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for the recipe.
Are the rosemary & camphor oils necessary?
Hi Leslie, rosemary – no, but the camphor is the active ingredient in Vapo Rub.
hello there
Thanks for this wonderful recipe. Please tell me, is it safe to be used when pregnant?
Hi Karen, I have read that there are certain essential oils to stay away from while pregnant such as camphor and eucalyptus. I’m not sure what the reasons are so I would talk to one of your practitioners about it. While I can’t speak to it’s safety for you, I made these up while pregnant myself and had no issues.
Thanks very much for your advice Stevie.
Can you please tell me where I would find the tins for this or what is an alternative. Thanks
I love this idea!! If any one need some of the best Essential Oils on the market contact me or go to Doterra.com….. THESE OILS ARE AMAZING!!! ..VERY LOW SHIPPING IF YOU CONTACT ME vbeckstead@msn.com Enjoy