Make Your Own: Homemade Vapor Rub!

Make Your Own: Homemade Vapor Rub!

Here's to hoping that the cold and flu season don't show up at your front door.  BUT, in case it does, one way to provide relief and soothing comfort is to use Vapor Rub on the chest and/or feet.  While some people prefer to just grab a jar of commercial vapor rub from the local drug store, I actually prefer to make my own for my family. It's a fairly easy process, and it is so worth it to know exactly what ingredients are going into the rub!  

One really good way to use this vapor rub is on your feet covered with socks while you sleep.  And the best part is that you can customize this recipe to fit your family's needs.  I personally don't use the cinnamon oil in the rub because it can be a little too overwhelming on the skin, but that is just a personal preference.  So go ahead, give it a try and see for yourself the benefits of making your own vapor rub!

(This recipe is from http://wellnessmama.com/3527/natural-vapor-rub/):

Homemade Vapor-Rub Ingredients:

•  1/2 cup olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil
• 2 level tablespoons of beeswax pastilles
• 20 drops of Eucalyptus Oil
• 20 drops Peppermint Oil
• 10 drops Rosemary Oil
• 10 drops cinnamon or clove oil (optional)

How To Make Vapor Rub:

1. Melt beeswax with oil of choice in a double boiler  until just melted.
2. Add the essential oils (use half the amount for a baby version or dilute with coconut oil before using)
3. Stir until well mixed and pour into some type of container with a lid to store. Little tins work well, as do small jars. I also always make a few in lip chap sticks to keep in my purse or use on baby feet.
4. Use as needed to help sooth coughing and congestion.

*Please note that this recipe should not be used on babies.  Consult a medical professional if you have questions regarding usage of this product on children under six years of age.  Eucalyptus oil, for instance, is not considered safe for use on children.

*Also note that pregnant women should not use rosemary essential oil.

A Quick Buff and Polish: Renewed!

(Photo credit: makelifelovely.com)

Okay, ladies and gentlemen: winter is officially OVER!!!

After you give your biggest "YAY" ever this year, you still have some work to do!  Who went through this winter with their skin unaffected?  I sure know that I didn't!!

I don't know about you, but this winter my skin felt like it was itching and burning.  ALL winter.  I looked like a sweet, itchy mess all season.  I can only imagine what other people thought while I was hiking up my shirt sleeves in the midst of conversation to scratch.  Or maybe I don't want to imagine.

One thing that I found made the itching stop was to use homemade soaps daily.  The natural oils in homemade soaps actually provide a layer of protection for your skin, as opposed to mass manufactured soaps, which strip your skin of its natural oils, thus in turn causing it to create more sebum.  It's a vicious cycle of itchy and oily skin.

So to start the season off right, let's get rid of that dead winter skin by starting off with a body scrub!!

A body scrub is beneficial to your skin.  It not only provides moisture and other essential nutrients to your skin (depending on what you use), but it also exfoliates the dead skin on your body, leaving you nice and soft.  You can go several different routes in order to achieve this.  There are day spas that will do this for you, or you can buy a good quality scrub.  But my favorite way?  Making it at home!

Now, there are tons and tons of recipes out there to use, many of them with normal everyday ingredients that you have right in your kitchen.  I enjoy making my own for the simple fact that I know what goes into it, and it's nice to know that you have made something that is making you look and feel good.  And my main reason for making my own?  No undecipherable ingredients to mull over and wonder about.

Making your own exfoliating scrub is simple.  You can use sea salt, epsom salts, white sugar or brown sugar.  It all depends on your personal preference: fine grain or large grain.  Choose an oil or oils that will best suit your needs.  Add an essential oil for scent (optional) and there you have it!  Your own personal homemade body scrub!

This is actually one of my favorite recipes, which I personally use:

1 cup Olive Oil
2 cups sea salt
8 drops of lemon essential oil (ensure that it is for use on the body, and NOT the kind you use for candles!)

Mix the olive oil and sea salt well in a bowl.  Add the 8 drops of essential oil, and mix well.  At this point some prefer to add a colorant.  I don't, but if you prefer to do so, ensure that you are using a colorant designated for use on the body.  I don't recommend using food coloring due to the potential of staining the skin.

Once everything is mixed well, place in jar of your choice (a mason jar will do just fine) and go to town with it.  This will keep for about 14 days.

One thing I do like to do after exfoliating is use a homemade soap on my skin.  It keeps the skin soft and quite lovely to the touch.

Now that you are inspired, go whip up a batch and pamper yourself!!  Relax and enjoy!!