DIY Cough and Cold Rub

Cold season is in full effect and, although our family has been pretty darn healthy this winter (knocking on wood!), this past weekend I whipped up a batch of trusty cough and cold rub to keep on hand if the need arises over these next few tough months of winter. This rub reminds me of being a small girl and my mom slathering me down with Vicks VapoRub before blowing my snuffly nose and tucking me into my warm bed. A warm fuzzy memory!

We call this "Sicky Rub" in our house and we apply it to our chests, necks, shoulders and back at the first sign of any respiratory-type cold. The application of the essential oils to the upper torso areas helps to alleviate coughs and break up congestion swiftly. Peppermint has an antitussive (anti-cough), expectorant and decongestant action. Rosemary also acts as an excellent respiratory decongestant and mucolytic (breaks up mucous). Eucalyptus is great for nasal congestion that often comes with a head or chest cold.

PLEASE NOTE: It is not advised to use this rub on the face, near the nose or any other mucous membranes and PLEASE remember to wash your hands immediately after applying so that you don't rub your eyes with it (not that I've, er, done that, er, anything). Also, this is a therapeutic product and should be used with safety and caution. Please keep this rub out of reach of children as it should not be ingested. If the rub irritates your skin in any way, discontinue use immediately.

"Sicky Rub"

96 drops peppermint essential oil
96 drops rosemary essential oil
48 drops eucalyptus essential oil

1 cup vegetable oil (I used sunflower)
1 oz. beeswax pellets

Place the essential oils in a bottle and shake for 1-2 minutes to blend the oils fully together. Place the vegetable oil and beeswax in a small glass bowl placed inside a shallow pan of water. Slowly, heat the oil and wax on the stove on a low temperature until it the wax is completely melted into the vegetable oil. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the essential oil mixture.

Pour the finished blend immediately into two 4oz. salve tins. You can also halve the recipe, if desired. This rub should be used within a few months, but stays fresh for longer if you keep it refrigerated and remove the rub from the tin with a clean spoon, rather than fingers.