Homemade curative rubbing oil for colds

I don’t know you, but here in my hometown we are experiencing abrupt changes in temperature; the kind of degree’s drops and rises that hunt you and your kids with virus and bacterias ready to make you feel under the weather.

Although I don’t have anything against modern medicine and I happily would give my sick child (or, ahem, husband) any over the counter product that can help her to feel and sleep better. But, also, I love to make our own rubbing oils and this one has become one of my favorites homemade remedies.  Cough, lung congestion? Homemade eucalyptus oil rub is the product to go when it comes to help someone recovery from a annoying cold. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 5 teaspoons of vegetable oil, like olive or coconut oil. I chose coconut oil, as it is also great for skin.
• 2 teaspoons of eucalyptus essential oil and/ or 3 teaspoons of an oil blend of two or more essential oils from the following list: Laurel leaf (Bay), peppermint, melaleuca or tea tree oil, lemon, ravensara, cardamom.

Instructions:

1. Combine the coconut and eucalyptus/ essential oils’ blend in a small dish or jar lid.
2. Stir with your index finger to make sure the oils are thoroughly mixed and will not irritate the skin*. The oil is ready to use when it makes your finger tingle slightly, but not burn.
3. Store the oil in a dated, labeled jar out of the reach of children. Discard any unused portion after 6 months.

*Note: Be aware that essential oils can be irritating for the skin -specially in the case of the young ones- if they are not diluted properly in the carrier oil (in this case, the coconut or olive oil) or too concentrate, so please feel free to put less essential oil if you found this recipe too strong or more if you find it too weak to work. Always test it first over a small patch of skin to check out for reactions.

If you would like to make it more essential oil’s concentrate, you can apply the essential oils to palms of the hands, cup hands over nose and mouth, and breathe deeply. You also can blend the essential oils without the carrier oil and use the concoction in a bath tube or applying it to a diffuser to be inhaled.

Application: Apply this oil mixture once each day, just before bedtime, until the cough abates (about one week). Place a palmful of the oil in your hand and rub your hands together to warm the oil before applying it on the chest, the back and/ or the bottoms of the feet.

Many of the oils suggested in this blend have been studied for their abilities to open and soothe the tissues of the respiratory system. Also, they have shown abilities to combat airborne bacteria and viruses that could be harmful to the system.

I loved this infographic from thankyouskin.com about essential oils that are great for skin.