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Congestion Rub

February 5, 2010 by Katie Mae Stanley 30 Comments

I’m sure many of you grew up with Vick’s Vapor Rub. Every time my siblings and I had a stuffy nose before mom would put us to bed she would rub Vick’s under our noses and on our chests to help break up the congestion so we could sleep better.

Since moving to Mexico I have found out two new ways that it is used, one way can be a bit toxic. The first way is to  rub it on the soles of your feet and put socks on. This is a good thing because it helps soothe a cough. The second way is to swallow a dollop of it. Not a good idea, but my girls say that their moms and grandmas swear by it.

Over the past year I have decided to stay away from all products made from petroleum jelly, which is one of the main ingredients in Vick’s Vapor Rub. To read about the negative side effects of petroleum jelly click here. After doing some research I formulated my own congestion rub that I have found to work quite well.

Congestion Rub

1/2 cup Dried Lavender (antiseptic healing, topically healing, pain relieving, repels insects)
1/4 cup Dried Mullein Leaves (breaks up congestion)
1/4 cup Dried Peppermint (cooling, pain relieving)
1/4 cup Fresh Grated Ginger (breaks up congestion)
3/4 cup Coconut Oil
3/4 cup Olive Oil
3 TBP Beeswax Pellets

Add the oils to the crock pot. Once they are completely melted add the herbs and cook on warm for 2 days. I turn the crock pot off at night. On the third day drain off the oil in a mesh colander on a cheese cloth. Wipe out the crock pot and reheat the oil. Add the bee’s wax one table spoon at a time. Stir until the wax melts completely. Pour the rub in small glass jars or metal containers and let cool. Rub under the nose, on your chest or feet!

This post is part of Herbal Medicine Chest, Simple Lives Thursday, Frugal Ways, Sustainable Days,

 

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About Katie Mae Stanley

Katie Mae Stanley is the creator of Nourishing Simplicity. She believes that a made from scratch life is possible with a measure of grace. She teaches you to craft simple, nourishing recipes and natural DIY products at home.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mademoiselle Julie

    December 13, 2012 at 3:35 am

    Any alternative to beeswax? I’d love to try a Vegan version of it. Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 7, 2013 at 7:57 pm

      No, I’m not sure. Sorry.

      Reply
  2. Anonymous

    December 12, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    In my previous post I was referring to Vicks. Your recipe sounds good ,but also I would be afraid to give it to child orally. I learn so much from you,Thanks.

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 12, 2012 at 6:16 pm

      I don’t give my homemade one to my kids orally either.

      Reply
  3. Anonymous

    December 12, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    My sister in law gave it to her little girl and the child almost died.the pediatricians said that it should NEVER be given orally.

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 12, 2012 at 6:15 pm

      I compleatly agree!

      Reply
  4. Keli Martin

    February 10, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    I was wondering if this is safe for infants. Anyone know for sure?

    Reply
    • Katie

      February 11, 2012 at 3:48 pm

      I would not advise using it for infants. If you do have uncertainties it is always advisable to do your own research.

      Reply
  5. Katie

    January 22, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    Rose, give send me your email I can send you a list of my prices. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 23, 2012 at 11:12 pm

      Email sent! Sorry I didn’t get it to you earlier.

      Reply
  6. Rose

    January 22, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    Katie, I don’t know where I can find the ingredients for the rub around here. what would you charge me to mail me a jar of it? And thank you for the great work you do for the girls.

    Reply
  7. kcjw

    January 20, 2012 at 3:33 am

    Hello, I am very interested in buying some from you. What are your prices for the different sizes and how long do you think the shelf life is? Thanks! You can e-mail me at melsjay@gmail.com if that is easier for you!

    Reply
  8. Katie

    December 30, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Anonymous, leaves

    Reply
  9. Anonymous

    December 30, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Is the mullein dried flowers or leaves?

    Reply
  10. Katie

    December 29, 2011 at 5:10 am

    Leesy, I realized that there were a lot of errors in my post. I went back and corrected them. All the herbs mentioned are not essential oils. They are either dried or fresh.

    Reply
  11. Leesy

    December 29, 2011 at 4:06 am

    The herbs mentioned above are ALL Essential Oils, right?

    Do u have specific amounts u have used, like if u only want to make a 4oz size, the oils would be quite costly if I made in larger…ty!

    Reply
  12. Katie

    December 28, 2011 at 6:15 am

    Beth, thanks for noticing that, it is tablespoons. I’ll go back and fix that.

    Reply
  13. BethProverbs31

    December 28, 2011 at 5:21 am

    Question….the recipe says 3 tsp, but in the directions you say add the beeswax a tbsp at a time…..which is the right measurement?

    Reply
  14. Katie

    December 7, 2011 at 6:30 am

    Andrea, thanks for hosting! I hope you like it!

    Debbie, I hope you do!

    Reply
  15. debbie

    December 2, 2011 at 12:12 am

    looks like a good recipe to try!

    Reply
  16. Andrea @ Frugally Sustainable

    December 1, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this on Frugal Day, Sustainable Ways! I have pinned this and bookmarked it for later use! Thanks again:)

    Reply
  17. Katie

    November 30, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Pam, I’ve never had problems with the oils and wax coming out but I have heard others mention it before.

    Reply
  18. Pam

    November 30, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    What a great recipe! I’m going to bookmark it. Does the oils/wax come out of the crockpot easily?

    Reply
  19. Katie

    May 7, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Angela, I think a trade sounds amazing! My mailing address is actually in the states.

    Reply
  20. Angela ~

    May 7, 2011 at 1:43 am

    Not sure how much shipping to Mexico would be but I would be willing to trade my homemade organic soap for some of your rub!
    http://www.homemadenaturalsoaps.blogspot.com/

    http://mylifeinwhichhehasplacedme.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  21. Katie

    March 3, 2011 at 5:21 am

    Lib, if you are interested in buying some I can make a tin and send it to you. I make them in three different sizes, 1oz, 2oz and 4oz.

    Reply
  22. Em and Lib

    March 2, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    I wish you’d just sell this stuff!
    I’ll never have time to make it…but would love to replace vicks – It’s the only petroleum product in our house!
    LIB
    http://bit.ly/gjDQOS

    Reply
  23. Wanderer

    March 2, 2011 at 10:15 am

    This is a great recipe! Thanks for sharing with us at the Herbal Medicine Chest hop.
    ~Sharon

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 12 Tips For Stopping A Cold In Its Tracks - Modern Alternative Health says:
    October 11, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    […] are amazing! They aren’t just for treating wounds and rashes. You can make salves for congestion and headaches. Forget using vapor rub from the store. Instead make one from healthy oils and […]

    Reply
  2. Get ready for the cold & flu season with these all-natural recipes - 20 of them! - Survival Mom says:
    January 5, 2015 at 1:12 am

    […] For complete instructions, visit Nourishing Simplicity. […]

    Reply

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