Making your own all-natural vapor rub is easy and effective. Follow this simple recipe to learn how to make and how to use this homemade vapor rub.
ALL-NATURAL VAPOR RUB
Let’s first discuss why homemade! Vapor rubs are usually made with essential oils or a fragrance that smells similar to essential oil. Essential oils are not created equally, and I am pretty picky when it comes to the kind I use in my home.
Unfortunately, the FDA doesn’t have any regulations on essential oils, so you have to be very careful about where you are getting your oils from. I have heard and seen so many horror stories, rashes, and reactions from people using what they thought were pure essential oils.
I would prefer to use my own essential oils that I have researched like crazy and find to be pure before putting any synthetics on my children.
All-natural vapor rub can be used on the bottom of the feet, the chest, and down the spine. Applying the vapor rub to the chest can help open up airways to promote clear, healthy breathing.
When applying the homemade vapor rub on kids, it is always good to apply it in an area they can’t reach with their hands to avoid getting the essential oils in their eyes or mouths. Applying it down the spine is a great place for that and can help support the body.
Clove– Similar to cinnamon, clove also has immune-boosting properties.
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HOW TO MAKE VAPOR RUB
Making your vapor rub can be as easy or complicated as you want! If you are going to make a larger batch for the fall and winter season, I would suggest using the recipe below.
If you don’t have all these ingredients on hand and need to whip up something fast, you can simply use coconut oil to dilute the essential oils before rubbing them on. Believe me, in a pinch. I have done this several times! Think overnight with a baby!
The recipe calls for a double boiler. If you don’t have one, you can easily make one by placing a glass bowl over a pot of water, then bringing to a boil.
DILUTING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HOMEMADE VAPOR RUB
This recipe will make about 6 ounces of vapor rub. Follow the chart below to know how many essential oils to add to your recipe.
Adults: 30-40 drops of essential oils
Children 13 and under: 15-20 drops essential oils
Babies under 1: 8-10 drops of essential oils
All-Natural Vapor Rub
Making your own all-natural vapor rub is easy and effective. Follow this simple recipe to learn how to make vapor rub.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Ingredients
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup cocoa butter
2 tablespoons beeswax
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops clove essential oil
Instructions
Place all the ingredients, except the essential oils, in a double boiler.
Remove from the heat once everything is melted.
Allow to cool slightly and then add in essential oils.
Store in a glass airtight container.
Notes
If making this recipe for children under 13 use 5 drops of each essential oil. If making for a baby under the age of 1 only use 2 drops of each essential oil.
I love all of your DIY recipes! I’ve been binge watching your YT channel and now discovered your blog! Just one question though, I thought eucalyptus oil isn’t safe to use on babies? It’s so hard to know since there’s so much differing opinions on this! Would love your input! Thank you!
I find eucalyptus and peppermint safe as long as you are using pure essential oils and diluting them properly. I use this vapor rub on my littles and it helps so much!
Laura, I am getting ready to make this and don’t have Siberian Fir on hand to add for lingering coughs. Is there another option? I’ve got Balsam Fir. Would that work?
shame on you. Clove oil is very high in functional group phenols which make it highly irritating not only for skin but mucous membranes as wll.. Yes it is great for immune support but I cannot believe you are suggesting using this on children under 10 years of age.
My kids and I have all been down with runny noses and coughs so we’ve been pretty red and raw. I made this recipe adding just a capful of castor oil for spreadability and I found it to be wonderful. Thank you Laura for your research and thoughtful recipes that are so helpful in daily life.
wilhelmina says
This is great to have on hand, especially with cold and flu season coming on fast. My kindergartner brings everything home!
Laura says
Oh, I bet! We definitely amp up on all the immune-boosting oils this time of year!
Michelle says
I love all of your DIY recipes! I’ve been binge watching your YT channel and now discovered your blog! Just one question though, I thought eucalyptus oil isn’t safe to use on babies? It’s so hard to know since there’s so much differing opinions on this! Would love your input! Thank you!
Laura says
Thank you so much! Here is a post you may want to check out: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/203-2/
I find eucalyptus and peppermint safe as long as you are using pure essential oils and diluting them properly. I use this vapor rub on my littles and it helps so much!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
This is great timing – I love home remedies!
Katie says
I love this- it’s such a nice thing to have on hand, and it’s nice how it’s all natural ingredients!
Laura says
I always like to have it on hand, just in case!
Jiya says
Hi tried this and the vapour rub turned out to be very hard. Is it normal?
Laura says
It does harden a bit, but it doesn’t get really hard.
Mayra Reynoso says
Maybe you added a bit more of the bees wax than suggested that would make it harder I believe!! Just a thought!! I just made mine and I’m in love
Mayra says
Oh and also for kids what other oil can I use if I wanted to replace clove
Thank you
katy says
What do you recommend for our kiddos with tree nut allergies?
Have you heard of a good alternative for coconut oil in chest rub recipes? I’ve been scouring the internet and have yet to find one!
Laura says
You can use shea butter or cocoa butter instead.
Julie Climer says
Laura, I am getting ready to make this and don’t have Siberian Fir on hand to add for lingering coughs. Is there another option? I’ve got Balsam Fir. Would that work?
Laura says
Yes you can use that one too! I also like lime and eucalyptus for coughs.
Vicki says
Is there a printable for this recipe?
Laura says
I do not have a label for this one, but you can print the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Debra Nellessen says
shame on you. Clove oil is very high in functional group phenols which make it highly irritating not only for skin but mucous membranes as wll.. Yes it is great for immune support but I cannot believe you are suggesting using this on children under 10 years of age.
Laura says
When diluted properly, it can be safe for children. 🙂
Hulda says
Can I use On guard instead of Clove, as I don’t have any?
Laura says
Yes!
Abi says
Hi
Can I use shea butter instead of cocoa butter?
Laura says
Yes!
Millie says
Hi Laura, huge fan of your channel! May I ask, how long will this store for? Thanks in advance! Millie
Laura says
Thank you so much! It will last up to 6 months.
Jen says
My kids and I have all been down with runny noses and coughs so we’ve been pretty red and raw. I made this recipe adding just a capful of castor oil for spreadability and I found it to be wonderful. Thank you Laura for your research and thoughtful recipes that are so helpful in daily life.
Laura says
I am so glad it helped!
Ange says
Should I use regular coconut oil like i use for baking? Or fractioned (always liquid) coconut oil?
Laura says
Regular coconut oil
Joy Catayas says
Hello! My brother has a severe pollen allergy, do you have a diy recipe?
Racheal says
I can’t wait to try this! How long does this keep for?
Laura says
Up to 6 months