Make your own natural chest rub!
Did you know the leading chest rub on the market contains petroleum, camphor and turpentine oil??
Petroleum in products can be problematic for a number of reasons. It’s one ingredient I steer clear of. Camphor is a highly toxic poison and can cause serious problems if consumed. Turpentine oil, while a natural product can burn the skin and cause respiratory problems.
So, why not make your own chest rub using organic, natural ingredients? It’s cheaper and your family will be safe and toxin-free.
Homemade Chest Rub
Okay so this is what you need:
* If you want to use a ready-made blend of oils, you could also just use Sinus Clear or Wellness Warrior
Okay, so this is how you do it:
* Melt your coconut oil by placing the jar in a bowl of hot water
* Pour 1/4 cup of the oil into a glass jar (clean and sterilise if using a recycled jar)
* Add 20 drops of eucalyptus oil, 20 drops of peppermint oil and 10 drops of lemon oil
* Mix well
* Let it re-solidify for easier use (pop it in the fridge in summer time)
Okay, so this is how you use it:
Rub on the chest, throat and back if you have a cough or cold.
Rub on your feet at night and pop on some socks to help ease a cough.
Rub a little under your nose.
Add a couple of teaspoons to hot water in a bowl to use as a steam inhalation.
The coconut oil is so rich and moisturizing, you will get the extra benefit of soft skin!
If you can’t be bothered making your own chest rub, check out these natural vapour chest rubs that I recommend.
You might also like to read: How to make your own natural hand wash.
*Please always double-check any product or ingredient containing essential oils that you use on babies and toddlers. Here is the current safety information regarding peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil around children from a source I trust, Robert Tisserand.
Thanks for this. I read the ingredients of chest rub last time I went to get some and was shocked. I had bought some years ago and lost it, but we wanted it again this winter. I put it back, no way was I putting that on our skin. I just burned eucalyptus oil in the house instead, but will definitely be trying this as I have everything needed. Thank you.
That’s great Kylie…. it’s awful what you find in products once you start reading labels and investigating! 🙁
awesome. have done but not entirely sure I tagged?? No Idea what to do but had a go anyway 🙂
yes, you are in Fiona! 🙂
Thanks so much for the chance! 🙂
thanks for entering Katrina!
I am making this today as The Guy has fallen in a heap. Have entered the competition too….we love our coconut oil around here! Thanks Sonia!
Hope he gets better soon!! 🙂
I wrote on Coconut Magic’s wall, think the tags worked 🙂
What do you recommend for children under two years instead of the Eucalyptus oil? Would Tea Tree Oil be okay, or is it not advised either?
Sorry Natalie, I am not sure, you could ask Julie on the Aromatique Essential Facebook page. She has a Q and A session every Wednesday night at 8.30pm. Julie is a qualified aromatherapist and will know the answer! Here is the link;
https://www.facebook.com/aromatiqueessentials
I’ll follow it up! Thank you 🙂
I don’t know abt tea tree, but some lavender would be nice to help calm and get a good sleep 🙂
I had never looked at the ingredient list either, I check food all the time, but other stuff gets forgotten! I am also glad I am not the only one with how to tag issues, sleep deprivation hits again 🙂
What goes on our skin can often be a bigger problem than what we eat as it goes straight to our blood stream!
Oops i forgot to come back i tagged both 🙂 Cheers for a great giveaway
no worries, Jodie – thanks for entering 🙂
The winner of this giveaway is Sarnia Stenning!! Congratulations Sarnia. Please get in touch and some Coconut Magic will be heading your way!!
Thank you so much! I look forward to trying your lovely Coconut Magic!
I’ll email you now 🙂
Thank you so much for this! I hate the commercial chest rubs and couldn’t find an alternative, this is awesome!!
Just checking – is the coconut oil solid to begin with? Not like the liquid coconut oils you can get??
I might have a go at making this
Hi Alison – coconut oil is solid at less than 18 degrees or liquid at around 18 and above! So it all depends on the weather!! 🙂
Loving this Sonia, thank you! I pinned it about 3 months ago when I discovered you and made it up this week when my 6yo got a cold/cough. I had run out of lemon oil so used thyme in its place. Everyone who has smelt it wants to eat it! Most importantly, my sensory challenged little guy loves it and it is helping him sleep. He just loves how it feels on his skin and it helps ease his worry about coughing in the night.
It’s awesome – we use it as a deodorant too!
Oooo, must try that!
Just wondering how long this product keeps for, Sonia?
I have just finished the jar I made last year – pretty much forever! But keep it in a dark cool place so the essential oils are not compromised 🙂
Totally inspired…internet shopping for coconut oil and essential oils today xo
awesome !! 🙂
Going to do this right now. For me. It sounds like it will smell wonderful. Thank you Sonia.
I’m heading out for some new oil today. I have actually been using an old jar of Vicks. It is petroleum based and I know better.
I have everything but the eucalyptus oil. Now why didn’t I think of this? 🙂
Thanks for sharing!I love your site!
Karen Hoyt
I came into this post as I’d squirrelled it away in my memory bank a year or two ago. Glad I did. My kitchen smells divine! Almost worth getting sick for. 🙂
awesome !! 🙂
I made this for my kids tonight & it came out great! Thank you!
Thanks for letting us know Tara! Awesome! xxx
Is this rub safe for infants? A 6 month old? I’ve read you have to be very careful when applying essential oils to infants and babies. Is there a guideline to follow for safety?
Hi Miriam. No it’s not – I say that on the post. For babies, consult with an aromatherapist about what is safe. 🙂