Vapor rub?

[bobbie.johnson]

Anyone have any great recipes? I hate the sticky feeling from the store bought stuff and want something more natural. Ive looked at a few different recipes but just want one that works good without that nasty feeling.

Please share!!
Thanks

 

[Cherry Bomb]

This one is pretty good. I like natural for sure! The sticky could come from the petroleum that is used in vapo rub. Good luck! I also found lots of other recipes on pinterest but I'm not sure how they are in consistency.

http://wellnessmama.com/3527/natural-vapor-rub/

 

[DeeAnna]

This one is pretty good. I like natural for sure! The sticky could come from the petroleum that is used in vapo rub. Good luck! I also found lots of other recipes on pinterest but I'm not sure how they are in consistency.

http://wellnessmama.com/3527/natural-vapor-rub/

Ummmm... I want to offer a caution on this recipe, especially for skin use on children or people with sensitive skin. "Natural" is not necessarily safe.

The beeswax and oil salve sounds fine. It might not be sticky, but it will certainly be greasy, especially if made with olive oil, which is pretty heavy. I'd probably use almond, fractionated coconut, or apricot kernel oil.

I disagree with the essential oils (EOs) used, and here's why:

This recipe has EOs at a total of roughly 2% by weight -- peppermint at about 1%, rosemary about 0.5%, and clove/cinnamon at about 0.5%. A 2% rate is a typical concentration for healthy adults, assuming the EOs used are chosen with care, so that's not out of line.

Let's look closer at the EOs "Wellness Mama" chose. The peppermint (Mentha piperita) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) are fairly safe and do help with respiratory problems. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) are another story. They might help a person breathe better, but they are also strong dermal irritants and sensitizers.

I would not use either in a respiratory "vicks" salve, since many people will put this kind of salve on their skin or near tender mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, and nose. Why take the risk?

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulous or E. radiata) and/or any of the common cedarwood EOs are also very effective for respiratory congestion and would be safer for skin use.

I really question "Wellness Mama's" use of cloves and cinnamon EOs in a salve she presumably uses on her kids. For children, I would limit the EO to under 1% total by weight and choose EOs that are as mild and safe as possible.

A blend of eucalyptus, cedarwood, maybe a touch of rosemary verbenon or true lavender (lavendula angustifolia). Some peppermint, certainly, but in a smaller proportion to the other EOs -- or perhaps I might use spearmint (Mentha spicata) instead. Its milder, softer odor might appeal more to kids. I would also avoid putting the salve directly on children's skin.

YMMV -- these are just my opinions.

--DeeAnna

 

[Lindy]

I would also add menthol in a very small percentage and it too will help with clearing breathing.

 

[Clueless]

Hi, I love this recipe, I have been using it on my little children for years!

Homemade Vapor Rub
1/2 cup olive oil
2 1/2 tsp beeswax (10.6 grams)
1 1/2 tsp Eucalyptus oil
40 drops Peppermint and Rosemary

Melt beeswax, add oils. Then pour into container. Let cool

 

[sakura1024]

Peppermint is toxic to kids and should not be used. It is also very dangerous to pregnant women. They should not come in contact with it at all. Also make sure not to use camphor AT ALL. I'm not sure if you can even buy it, but it's a major toxin and I'm surprised it hasn't been removed from Vicks yet.

 

[DeeAnna]

Mentha Piperata:

"...Safety during pregnancy and/or childhood: Direct application of peppermint oil to the nasal area or chest to infants should be avoided because of the risk of apnea, laryngeal and bronchial spasms, acute respiratory distress with cyanosis and respiratory arrest 103, 104.

Several case reports of adverse effects of menthol in infants led to an international symposium in 1966 to debate the safety of menthol preparations. The conclusion of the symposium was that menthol products are safe to use in infants but that they should not be applied directly to the nostrils 11, 105.

There are reports that menthol can cause jaundice in newborn babies. In some cases this has been linked to a glucose 6-phosphatase dehydrogenase deficiency 106, 107.

There are no data available of the safety of peppermint in pregnancy...."

Source: http://roberttisserand.com/articles/Peppermint%28Menthapiperita%29.pdf

 

[Lindy]

DeeAnna thank you. Peppermint does not pose any problems for children or pregnant women. As for newborns, no essential oil should be used on them until they are at least 6 months old.....

 

[bodhi]

I agree with just about everything said so far. Cinnamon and clove are questionable in a rub, no eo's on babies. Herbs tossed straight in the bath is a better idea or for something stronger, a few drops on a rag tied out of reach on the crib. I use olive and wax. It is greasy but its for sickies and not an all the time use thing so the greasiness doesn't matter to me. I switch what i use around depending on the person and have had luck with all those mentioned above-except the cinnamon and clove which i wont put in something like this.

 

[sakura1024]

The American Academy of Family Physicians states that peppermint oil can trigger menstruation, the shedding of the lining in a woman’s uterus. This is dangerous for a woman who is already pregnant. It is also potentially toxic when used or inhaled in large doses.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/158249-peppermint-oil-pregnancy/#ixzz2VGa0ygMN

It can also cause breathing problems and toxicity in young children.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I've done a lot of research on essential oils. I have three kids and I've had to research what oils were safe for children and babies and during pregnancy. It's better to be safe than sorry, right? Rosemary is good for kids, but not pregnant women and Eucalyptus is good for pregnant women but not kids. The "Big 4" bad oils for pregnant women that I know of are Rose, Jasmine, Peppermint and Pennyroyal. I actually made a lotion with Rose and Jasmine for when I was way post due on my first baby and it helped to induce labor naturally and I think helped to progress my labor once it finally got started. Rose, Jasmine and Peppermint help encourage the shedding of the uterine lining, which is obviously a bad idea if a baby is making use of that lining.
​

 

[Lindy]

sakura1024 I have to disagree with you regarding peppermint. I am a certified clinical aromatherapist and this is the first time I have heard of this so I pulled out my Aromatherapy for Health Professionals and peppermint is actually a recommended oil for pregnant women to help with headaches, nausea, irritable bowel as well as many other areas.

May I recommend Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child for you? Excellent book with some amazing recipes in there to help you with day to day minor illnesses.

Very young children should not have menthol close to the nasal cavities and I strongly recommend applying it to the soles of their feet and then putting socks on or even massage it into their backs.

As for essential oils & pregnancy there are actually several more than that. Rosemary essential oil should not be used during pregnancy and is a neurotoxic if too much is used and if it is used at regular therapeutic levels (these levels depend on the individual and their physical condition) for any length of time. There are some wonderful aromatherapy courses available using distance learning. A little information is dangerous and before giving a broad brush recommendation, please refer to more than one source for the information. On the other hand I do appreciate you making me double check my information.

Cheers

 

[sakura1024]

That's interesting Lindy. I will do more research. I had originally found this through another book and a short class that I took many years ago. I then did another cursory search for the purpose of this thread. I find all the conflicting information regarding oils and herbs to be troublesome and irritating. Can't everyone just agree??? lol :/

 

[Lindy]

I find that the recognized aromatherapy courses to be the best even though they are more expensive. What I have discovered that just because someone publishes a book doesn't mean they know what they are talking about... makes me nuts. I have gotten very fussy about which authors I buy from because of the discrepancies...