Name: Homemade Vapor Rub Stick
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons beeswax; 2 tablespoons coconut oil; 1 tablespoon shea butter; 4 drops Rosalina; 2 drops Lavender; 1 drop Tea Tree (optional, skip if your kids dislike the smell); 4 drops Peppermint; 4 drops Eucalyptus radiata; 3 drops Tea Tree; 2 drops Rosemary

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Make your own homemade vapor rub stick with simple ingredients that’s easy to swipe on chests and little feet during cold and flu season. Instructions included for both kids and adults.

When cold season ramps up, and everyone in the house sounds like they’re trying to cough up a lung, a vapor rub stick becomes the thing.

Most store-bought chest rubs are loaded with eucalyptus, which is way too strong for younger kids and not something I feel comfortable using.

These homemade vapor rub sticks take about ten minutes to make and last all year long. Melt, stir, pour, done.

Why I Make Two Versions

In our house, the kids get the gentle (but still effective) blend. Adults get the heavy duty one.

Everyone gets what they need without guessing or hoping the same formula will magically work for all ages.

Homemade Vapor Rub Stick

Adjust the oils depending on who and what age group you’re making it for.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon shea butter

Kid-Safe Essential Oil Blend

4 drops Rosalina essential oil
2 drops Lavender essential oil
1 drop Tea Tree essential oil (skip if your kids hate the smell)

Adult Essential Oil Blend

4 drops Peppermint essential oil
4 drops Eucalyptus radiata essential oil
3 drops Tea Tree essential oil
2 drops Rosemary essential oil

Instructions:

Add the beeswax pastilles, coconut oil, and shea butter to a double boiler, mason jar, or other small heat-safe jar.

Melt down the solids by placing the jar into a saucepan with an inch of simmering water. If you have a double boiler, you can use that instead.

When liquified, remove the jar from the heat and let it cool for about 30 seconds.

Add the essential oils – either the kid blend or the adult blend, not both.

Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes, deodorant tubes, or whatever containers you have.

Let them firm up at room temperature with the lids off.

How We Use These at Home:

These set fast and travel very well., We basically have one in every room once winter hits.

I swipe the vapor rub stick across the chest, along the back, and a quick pass under the nose for adults.

For kids, I stick to the chest and feet only, especially at bedtime when coughs get louder, and everyone is cranky and exhausted.

Storage:

These stay solid for months. Just keep them in a drawer or cabinet – no fridge needed.

Homemade Vapor Rub Stick

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Set Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Make your own homemade vapor rub stick with simple ingredients that's easy to swipe on chests and little feet during cold season.

Ingredients

For The Base:

2 tablespoons beeswax
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon shea butter

Kid-Safe Essential Oil Blend

4 drops Rosalina
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Tea Tree (optional, skip if your kids dislike the smell)

Adult Essential Oil Blend

4 drops Peppermint
4 drops Eucalyptus radiata
3 drops Tea Tree
2 drops Rosemary

Instructions

Add beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter to a mason jar or other small heat-safe jar.
Melt the solids by placing the jar into a saucepan with an inch of simmering water. If you have a double boiler, you can use that instead
When liquified, remove from heat and let cool for about 30 seconds.
Add the essential oils - either the kid blend or the adult blend, not both.
Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes, deodorant tubes, or small push-up sticks.
Let them firm up at room temperature with the lids off.