Coconut Chest Rub




Well, the damp chilly weather of late has gotten to me ... I guess it's my first cold of the season. And that means thick socks and hot soup and green tea and olive leaf extract and vitamin C and decongestant ... (and maybe the occasional moan for sympathy ... )

One of the things I remember about getting sick as a kid was getting some Vicks rubbed onto my chest and upper back. That super-strong smell just cleared out your whole head. Unfortunately, that particular product of my childhood days has turpentine and petroleum products in it- not really what I'm into these days.

So, I made my own version.  It did clear up my sinuses and make me feel nice, but just a note: it seems to require more regular application than the storebought version. But given how good coconut oil is for your skin, your chest will probably appreciate it ...

And if you have any good cold remedies, please send them my way!!


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Coconut Chest Rub

Ingredients
1 heaping spoonful extra virgin coconut oil, in solidified state
3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
*3 drops peppermint essential oil

*my first batch didn't include this, but my next one did!!
As always, remember to keep essential oils out of the reach of children, and try to use organic ingredients when you can.

1. Mix them together in a small pot and rub into your chest and upper back.

2. If it's coldish in the house (say, less than mid-20c C or 60s F) you can keep this out at room temperature. Otherwise, put it in a cool place (like the fridge or entryway) so the coconut oil doesn't liquify.



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How much did this cost me?

Probably around $0.50 per batch. The coconut oil cost me around $0.30 and the oils were probably the same as I used such small amounts.

Better go for now, I hear a cup of tea calling me ... 
Amanda xx

Comments

  1. Great recipe! I love coconut oil on my skin - soothing and soaks right in.

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  3. Hi-I just saw this posted on Pinterest and am curious about your olive leaf extract information. I saw the link to wiki but am wondering what you do personally with olive leaf? Thanks!

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  4. @Mustang65 When I remember, I choke down droppers of olive leaf extract ... supposedly it increases immune function (but it *does* taste pretty awful :) ) A

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  5. Then add some menthol crystals in there!

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  6. Hello! Can I add beeswax to make it more like a salve type homemade product?

    And thank you so much fro sharing this recipe. Blessings!!

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  7. You can also whip the solid coconut oil and essential oils with a mixer for about 5-7 minutes and it will be more spreadable.

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  8. I made this with the solid coconut oil. It's great!! A tiny bit goes a long way. I made it over a month ago, and what is left in the jar still smells as strong as it did when I made it.

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  9. I was thinking of adding Lavender oil to this mix since it is usually hard to sleep when sick, do you think this will mess the mixture up or help it?? thanks

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  10. @Leelyn Great idea, L! I don't think that would harm ... you might just have to experiment with making a pretty smell out of them all :)

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  11. I just want to make sure this is children safe as well. Thank you!

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  12. Anon,
    Absolutely - much more so than the vaporubs you buy at the chemist! I make this for my own little girl.

    The amount of essential oils in this recipe should be low enough even for sensitive skin, and coconut oil is a great moisturiser, but if you're worried just start with a small bit on the first go.

    Always use your own best judgement, particularly with anything that goes on your skin or in your mouth.

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  13. I just found you & THANK YOU! this is wonderful! Kind of strange question about this - we use the OTC kind by rubbing on the bottom of the feet to help with coughing at night - do you think your version would work in the same way?

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  14. Is there an oil you can substitute for the Eucalyptus for someone with an allergy to it?

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  15. Wonderful recipe, I am going to make some to have on hand in our home. I love handmade skin care products with organic ingredients. ;o)

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  16. I am EXTREMELY allergic to peppermint.....is there another option that would still be effective?

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  17. Michelle - we used to do the same thing! Give it a go - a 'free' foot massage can't hurt a cough :)

    Anon - I'd try subbing with peppermint essential oil. The menthol in the mint should have a similar effect.

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  18. @Lauri Garrison Eek! Wouldn't want that, then! :)

    I did a quick google search to see what other oils are 'expectorants' - those are the ones that induce productive coughs and help clear the lung passages. You might try a combination of frankincense, rosemary and/or marjoram instead. I've not used them in this balm before, but they seem to have similar expectorant properties to eucalyptus or peppermint, so worth a go. I reckon it'd smell quite nice with citrus plus a combination of the above. You might like to play around with relative proportions, to get something that smells nice for you ... a winter-cold perfume, so to speak :)

    Always be sure you don't react to new essential oils, if you haven't tried them before. And hope you feel better soon!
    Axx

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  19. Try adding an emusifier like bees wax to bring the melting point up so it is more room temperature stable.

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  20. Hi there! Do you need to store it in a blue container? At my health food store, I know they sell blue and clear/white plastic/glass containers.

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  21. @Brittany MaxwellNot necessary, but anything with essential oils in it (like eucalyptus or peppermint or lavender, etc) is best kept out of direct sunlight or it loses its potency. Which is why I usually go for dark jars for this kind of stuff. :)

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  22. Great recipe! One thing I would change in the recipe though...a glass pot is mandatory...essential oils will pull the petrochemicals out of the plastic pot/container and leech the chemicals into the chest rub. www.aromatools.com has awesome dark and clear glass jars to buy, fyi. As another reader posted, you don't have to buy the dark colored glass, just store in in a pantry or refrigerator. :-)

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Thanks for commenting! Amandaxx