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!
This makes about a 3% dilution. Never use more than 1% with children…and peppermint eo is a stimulant and can increase respiratory issues and mucous production. Clove eo and cinnamon eo are known skin irritants and mucous membrane irritants and should be used in small %’s, if at all (and never cinnamon bark eo).Just stick with the eucalyptus eo and 1%…even for adults. More is NOT better in the world of essential oils and they are very effective in small %’s. Please, always research essential oils (from a couple reputable sources) before making homemade recipes. Not all essential oils are safe and can be used without proper education. Spend $60 and get a good safety book (like Robert Tisserands Safety of Essential Oils), not recipe book, if you make a lot of things with essential oils (and particularly if you have children)…you might be surprised at what you find…
I want to make this for a 2 year old and I want to make the application as simple as possible. Instead of making this blend and mixing it with shea butter – can I add the sea butter into the mix? Would it change the consistency? Or should I just half all of the essential oils?
You are correct and none of this should be taken lightly in conversation. Aromatherapy is an art and must be learned. It can be harmful if not used correctly.
You mention to dilute it for babies and children. I have a 27 month old, how exactly do I dilute it? Can I maybe use half the recommended essential oils? Thanks in advance!
I mix with equal parts coconut oil or shea butter before applying to baby’s skin…
I’m so confused! If I’m making vapor rub for a 4 mon old up to a 5yr old would I just add equal amount Shea Butter like ur homemade lotion wit beeswax nd just use few drops of each of these oils instead of oils I use for lotion?
I love your blog and recipes! Thank you for sharing.
Just grate it with a cheese grater and measure…it will be about the same proportion…
Anybody know how many days it will last;in a glass jar?
Several months at least… I have one still potent at over a year..
Do you keep it in the fridge?
Just made it and it’s perfect!! I truly never knew you could make your own things with basic oils that are extremely effective. Thank you!! I look forward to learning more and making more awesome recipes!
I have all the ingredients with the exception of beeswax. Can I use something in it’s place?
You can actually omit it and it will still work, it just won’t be as thick…
Thanks!
Hi,
We keep remaking this recipe because it works! We’ve used during covid, colds, flu. But most seriously, and I’m not giving medical advice here, my oldest son rubs it on my back during bad asthma attacks. Usually does the trick. If it gets real bad, lol or if we remember, he rubs it on my feet also. Honestly, we feel it works better than the store bought.
I do have a question. Can I substitute shea or mango butter for the coconut butter. We have a family member who is deathly allergic to coconut and we try to be a coconut free home. I use both for my body cream and it’s wonderful.
Shea and mango butter might result in too hard of a rub, but you can use any liquid carrier oil instead of coconut oil. Olive and almond are listed as options in the recipe.
Thanks for the recipe! the cinnamon really burns on the skin. I would skip that next time.
I didn’t have any beeswax so I mixed 1T oil with a drop or two of each oil. It really improved the headache and stuffy nose I woke up with this morning! I will use the rest of this while I wait for the beeswax I am ordering 🙂 thanks so much for the recipe.
When the kids had coughs, I would steam chopped onions, garlic and cabbage using a strainer setting inside a pan with a little water until it was slightly cooked, then wrap up in a white cloth rag, (an old t-shirt worked great). Then put it on their chest. (be sure to let it cool to nicely warm to avoid burns). This will loosen the cough and bring up a lot of the congestion. They didn’t like the smell but would ask me to put it on after they fell asleep. ; ). It was a lot of work to make in the middle of the night when they started coughing and I was sleepy so I think I’ll make some of this for my grandchildren! Thanks for the ideas!
I was raised up by my grandmother and this is also what she did when we were little ones.
How is a vapor rub like Neosporin? ( Stated on the picture above)? Vapor rub helps sooth coughing and congestion and Neosporin you put on your minor wounds. I could not find anything in your article either relating it to Neosporin as the picture says.
Wrong picture got uploaded… I was just updating those and the wrong one went to the wrong picture. THanks for the catch!