Hopefully cold and flu won’t strike at your home this year, but in case it does, this natural vapor rub is a good natural remedy to have around. I used to keep regular Vicks Vapor Rub and the baby version on hand for times when the seasonal cold would hit until I realized that it had PETROLEUM in it … yuck!
In the name of not consuming or slathering my children’s skin with anything that is more beneficial to a car engine, I’ve been making this really easy homemade version ever since.
How to Make a Natural Vapor Rub Alternative
The familiar blue bottle of vapor rub was a staple around my house growing up, and now as a parent I understand why. Cold and cough treatment options are limited for babies and kids, and vapor rub is invaluable for soothing the coughing and congestion that can really interfere with everyone’s ability to get a good night’s sleep. (The most essential component to getting well and staying well!)
Don’t let the ingredient list deter you from making this recipe, either. If you don’t have the necessary ingredients on hand or don’t want to take the time to make this recipe, mixing the essential oils with coconut oil works almost as well!
Store-bought Option
Thankfully, since I started making DIY natural products some great companies have come out with more and more natural store-bought versions. (Options are great!) I found a pre-made natural vapor rub in case you don’t have the ingredients on hand and there is even a formula specifically for babies and children. I haven’t found it in a store near me yet, but if you have a Whole Foods or a natural health store nearby you might be in luck!
Essential Oil Vapor Rub Safety
Caution: If making this for babies or children under age six, make sure to use essential oils that are safe for these ages. I take safe use of essential oils very seriously, and err on the side of caution. I love this kid-safe line of essential oils because it takes a lot of the guesswork out of choosing the correct oils. The Sniffle Stopper is most similar to my blend in this recipe.
I make a gentler kid-safe version of this recipe by using just 4 drops of the eucalyptus and fir oils and omitting the rest.
Natural Vapor Rub Recipe
A soothing and petroleum-free version of the classic cough and cold soother
Vapor Rub Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil
- 2 TBSP beeswax pastilles (level, not heaping)
- 20 drops of eucalyptus oil (use only 4 drops for use on babies and young children)
- 20 drops peppermint oil (substitute 4 drops fir essential oil for use on babies and small children)
- 10 drops rosemary oil (omit for use on babies and small children)
- 10 drops cinnamon or clove oil (optional – omit for use on babies or small children)
Vapor Rub Instructions
- Melt beeswax with oil of choice in a double boiler until just melted.
- Add the essential oils (use half the amount for a baby version or dilute with coconut oil before using)
- Stir until well mixed and pour into some type of container with a lid to store. Small tins work well, as do little jars. I also always make a few in empty lip chap sticks to keep in my purse or to use on baby feet.
- Use as needed to help reduce coughing and congestion.
Notes
Many essential oils, including these, are not considered safe for babies or small children. Make sure to dilute for babies and children and use as little as is needed. Always check with a doctor or healthcare provider about using herbs or essential oils on young children.
You can also make this recipe with herbs instead of essential oils by infusing the oil with 1 tablespoon of each of the herbs in a double boiler over medium heat for 2 hours.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Lauren Jefferis, board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or work with a doctor at SteadyMD.
What are your tried and true remedies for beating illnesses? Ever made your own vapor rub? Share below!
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If I grate beeswax instead of using pastilles, how much should I use?
2 tablespoons of pastilles weighs 1 ounce. You can take your shavings, and weigh them out to one ounce on a scale.
Thank you wellnessmama for the recipe. I didn’t care for the peppermint/cinnamon scent. I had an old jar of vicks baby vapo rub, and it had in order: rosemary eo, eucalyptus eo, lavender eo. With that as my guide, I followed your recipe and instructions, with substitutions. I did 30 drops rosemary eo, 20 drops eucalyptus eo, 20 drops lavender eo. I love it.
Hello. this thieves oil…what is the amounts of each oil in the mix please? Thank you. wandamall
It is important when using essential oils that you list the Latin binomial name as well. Eucalyptus has more than one …..E. globulus is one type, E. smithii is another and there is also E. citriodora (which is similar to citronella used as bug repellent scent). Another important consideration is if the oils are pure essential oils and that they are not adulterated. Research is the key here. I would not use petroleum jelly but would opt for a more natural base such as the olive oil.
I only have solid coconut oil. Can I use it instead of liquid. Actually, the recipe doesn’t say which one to use. Sarah, great substitutes. Congrats.
It really like this recipe. We had whooping cough this summer and one of my kids is still coughing some.
What did you do for the childs whooping cough? Did you use this rub?
Thanks for the ideas! Is the coconut oil to be used in place of the olive/almond in the vapor rub? I didn’t see it listed as an ingredient.
Yep… either one can be used
To dilute do you mix with additional coconut oil on top of the 1/2 c that’s already included?
Yes! In addition to the 1/2 cup. 🙂
What heat do I melt the beeswax and oil on ?
How exactly does Vicks or your natural version help with healing?
The menthol in the eucalyptus is a great cough suppressant. I use a pre-mixed thieves oil (clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary) that stops coughing better than any prescription or OTC cough syrup I’ve ever tried. The other herbs are anti-bacterial. However, please be careful to dilute well!
Eucalyptus does not contain menthol.
Instead of Rosemary essential oil can one use wintergreen?
Vic’s or a natural substation of Vic’s isn’t to cure a sickness but to help null a symptom wile your body does the healing. Just like a cough drop or a band aid they don’t do the healing just the cushion/protection
wish I had read this earlier… kiddo is sick and I don’t have all the essentials on hand 🙁
How well does this work for you? I tried making my own (different recipe) and it worked a bit but then not so well, especially when the kids (and I) were really stuffed up. Thanks!
Try making it a bit stronger and putting it in the top of you scentcy burner works great to alleviate stuffy noses and allergy symptoms!
Love this idea! Thanks. :). Love this site too, thanks Katie. ( same name as my little girl, Love It! ) love the uses for Coconut oil too, tried one so far and can’t wait to try some more!
Love this recipe. I’d rather make my own and know exactly what’s in it.
I use vicks on my own feet at times. It helps me to sleep better and soothes any tired or sorness that I may have in them. I think this would even smell better. Thanks
Thanks for posting this! I have always loved Vicks but never paid attention to the fact that it has petroleum in it…boo! Hopfully I can find all those ingredients & get some made pronto since I love to grease baby girl up especially when she gets the croup. Love your site BTW!!
I strongly disagree that cosmetic grade petroleum is harmful. What research do you have to back this up? I know of a person who has done a lot of research on cosmetic mineral oil and petroleum, they are not only just as natural as coconut or any other oil, they are better at certain things, such as moisturizing. I have very curly hair and it was always relentlessly frizzy until I started using pure fragrance free mineral oil. My son’s lips were relentlessly dry and I tried everything. A watee based moisturizer with vaseline cured him. My daughter had a chronic scalp condition. I started using fragrance free mineral oil. The “chronic” condition was gone in a week. Now she does not need it anymore. I would not avoid something because it has mineral oil or petroleum. Cosmetic mineral oil is safe and natural. It is proven to be the best moisturizer there is.
It is as always, a personal choice to avoid certain ingredients, and while using petroleum jelly on rare occasion should not pose any health risks, daily use can pose a problem… you can check up on some info here which also references sources at the bottom.
https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-petrolatum/
It is sourced from nature as you stated, but unless you know for a fact that the petroleum jelly you are using is not contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), then natural doesn’t always equate safe…
This oil is a common ingredient in anything that requires a smooth gliding action, and may be listed under different names, including petrolatum or paraffinum.
Mineral oil acts as a moisturizing agent only to the extent that it keeps the area of skin that it is applied to moist. While most moisturizers include important nutrients that support the fragile-and always aging-facial skin mineral oil provides no nutrients whatsoever. It actually seals off your skin, preventing it from breathing.Your skin is the body’s largest organ, and it works together with the kidneys to rid the body of toxins. However, your skin needs to be able to breathe to perform these functions. Kim Anderson, a health care consultant to Arbonne International, states that “mineral oil coats the skin like plastic wrap, disrupting the skin’s natural immune barrier and inhibiting its ability to breathe and absorb the ‘natural moisture factor’ (moisture and nutrition).” In addition, mineral oil attracts needed moisture from cells deep inside your skin. This means that cell renewal is slowed, collagen breaks down, and the connective tissue is destroyed. Normal cell development is slowed down and the skin ages prematurely when skin cells are robbed of moisture.
There are other serious health concerns connected to mineral oil. Applying it to your skin repeatedly can cause various negative hormonal effects, including ovarian dysfunction, endometriosis, miscarriages, and damage to the immune system, Anderson states.
This information is taken from an online article, “Why Mineral Oil is Bad for Your Skin”
Skin does not breathe, your lungs breathe. Heavy oils of any kind can block pores when used in excess, true, and that could contribute to the formation of comedones. But skin gets oxygen from internal blood circulation. So diet and fluid intake have more to do with healthy skin than anything applied topically. Pores secrete oils and perspiration but not CO2.
For crying out loud.. yes the skin doesn’t literally take in air and then expel it . But it certainly does need air circulation to function properly.. Ever worn a bandage for too long , removed it to see that it’s all wrinkled and gross, wet and slimy? That is what petroleum and mineral oil do to our skin. And it seals in harmful bacteria.
Charlotte, With all due respect, you seem to be confusing 2 completely separate elements in your post – there is a VAST difference between petrolatum, a chemical and mineral oil, a natural alternative – as a 4th generation Herbalist, I personally wouldn’t use Vasel*ne for anything – other than a creaky door hinge or the like.
Skin is the human body’s largest organ. It is porous – whatever you put “On” it, goes “In” it – no differently than if you were to EAT the chemical you are applying – Scary when you stop & consider it, isn’t it?
I respect everyone’s opinions as to however they choose to live, eat, stay well – I merely wanted to clarify what seemed to be an oversight.
Namaste, Jane
I realize I’m coming late to this party, but why the vehemence in favor of petroleum products? Personally, I have one child who cannot tolerate anything that has petroleum in it – food, cosmetic or otherwise. I’m strongly in favor of easy to achieve alternatives. They keep my son from getting headaches, stomachaches and uncontrollable anger. I’m not strongly opposed to you using petroleum products for your children if you find them helpful, but please don’t scream how safe they are for everyone at me because they harm mine.
Petroleum is completely disgusting. If u notice when u use it, it only moisturizes topically not entering your skins layers. I am a skin specialist and my closest friend is a scientist that actually tests harmful environmental things we use on a daily basis. Petroleum is ranked among the top ten. Why don’t you get YOUR facts straight.
I agree. This byproduct of the petroleum industry is a natural cure for many things.