Easy Congestion Relief Salve – Natural Decongestant with an Option For Kids!

When the sniffles hit, a DIY congestion salve is a perfect solution, and we have the recipe for you! This natural decongestant recipe yields a soothing remedy that works similarly to Vicks VapoRub. You can apply it to your chest. This all-natural remedy may help with your congestion. 

Herbal salves, like this gardener’s hand salve, are efficient. However, they take longer to make. Today’s homemade vapor rub comes together in no time. With just a few simple ingredients and the help of some essential oils, you can whip up your natural nasal decongestant. So let’s get started!

Why Try This All-Natural Decongestant Recipe?

No Need to Infuse

A traditional salve contains herb-infused oils, which can take 2-3 weeks to make. We love crafting our traditional natural decongestants, but sometimes we need something right now! By using essential oils, you can have a DIY congestion salve that is easy to make and may work faster and pack more of a punch.

Coconut Oil Salve

Unlike other carrier oils, coconut oil is solid at room temperature yet melts when it touches the skin. Since coconut oil is thicker and doesn’t absorb quickly, it’s the perfect choice for a homemade vapor rub. The salve remains on top of the chest longer, prolonging the time you breathe in the soothing aromas.

Safely Diluted Essential Oils

You can use peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils at a maximum of 5% on the skin. The recipe for this natural decongestant uses a 2% dilution ratio – less than half of what’s safe. Why peppermint and eucalyptus? Because they may offer numerous benefits for congestion.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is a natural nasal decongestant that is perfect for the cold season. It may have fever-reducing and antiviral properties that may help accelerate recovery. Plus, it contains menthol, a common ingredient most commercial vapor rubs use.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is another excellent decongestant that may help break down mucus in the nose and open your airways. This oil is not just a natural decongestant, it's also a popular home remedy that may help with conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Eucalyptus globulus is the most popular oil, but Eucalyptus radiata and smithii may be less harsh. 

How to Make Your All-Natural Decongestant Salve

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of Wildly Organic’s Centrifuge Extracted Coconut Oil
• 2 tablespoons of beeswax (grated or pellets)
• 3/4 teaspoon of eucalyptus essential oil
• 3/4 teaspoon of peppermint essential oil

Makes

• 5 ounces

Time Required

• 15 minutes

Directions

1. Combine The Coconut Oil and Beeswax

To start making this natural decongestant, combine the coconut oil and beeswax in a heat-safe glass bowl. 

Perch the bowl on top of a pot filled halfway with water over medium heat. Stir with a metal spoon until completely melted.

2. Add The Essential oils

Remove from the heat and stir in the essential oils. Your natural nasal decongestant is ready, and you can pour it into a glass jar.

3. Use and Enjoy

You can use your homemade vapor rub whenever you need. Rub it on your neck and chest to help unclog your sinuses and start breathing again!

Note: This natural decongestant recipe creates a thicker salve that won't melt in warm temperatures. You can omit beeswax for a more simple result. Just combine the coconut oil with the essential oils. Store in a glass jar and use as needed. This simplified version will melt in warm temperatures.

Caution for Little Ones

Peppermint and eucalyptus contain menthol, which gives that familiar cooling sensation. These oils are widely used in congestion rubs because they’re so efficient for respiratory support. However, peppermint and eucalyptus can cause life-threatening breathing problems for babies and young children. 

No worries! We have also included a kid-friendly version of this natural decongestant salve so even little ones can breathe easily. There are various opinions on the subject, but the general recommendation is to not use essential oils on babies under three months old.

Natural Nasal Decongestant Salve for Kids

Virginian cedarwood, fir needle, cypress, and pine oils are safe essential oils for babies and children ages four months and older. Here are the benefits they offer:

Virginian Cedarwood Oil

Virginian cedarwood essential oil has sebum-controlling properties that may help with congestion. This relaxing oil may give your natural decongestant a lovely, woodsy scent.

Fir Needle Oil

Fir needle is a popular muscle relaxant in massage therapy. It’s also an all-natural decongestant with antibacterial properties that may help cleanse the airways and support healthy respiratory function. 

Cypress Oil

Cypress oil is another excellent choice for your homemade vapor rub. It’s a popular ingredient in traditional medicine that may treat colds and coughs. It’s also an effective decongestant that may help with stuffy noses and sinusitis. 

Pine Oil

Another safe option for children is pine oil, with its mucus-releasing properties. Pine oil is a natural decongestant that may help with various respiratory conditions like coughs, bronchitis, and sinuses.

Essential Oil Measuring Guidelines for Kids

Here are measuring guidelines to make a natural nasal decongestant salve for different age groups using the recipe above:

• Children 4 months and older – Use seven drops of essential oil.
• Children 2 and older – Use 25 drops of essential oil in total.
• Children 6 and older – You can use the kid-safe essential oils above or peppermint and eucalyptus oils (radiata or smithii) at a 1.5% dilution. For the congestion salve recipe, this would be 45 drops, or ½ teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon of total essential oil. If using peppermint and eucalyptus, this would be 22 drops each.

Make Your Natural Decongestant With Ingredients From Wildly Organic

You don’t need to buy vapor rub anymore. With our recipe, you can make your all-natural decongestant salve whenever you have a stuffy nose. This salve may be safer for you and your kids because you know what you’re putting in it. You can start right now and get the ingredients for your natural nasal decongestant from Wildly Organic.

Wildly Organic carries some of the highest quality ingredients for your DIY personal care projects. We also have nutrient-rich organic nuts to snack on while making your natural decongestant salve. They are delicious, nutritious, and have a delightful crunch.

Shop our USDA-certified products today and get free US shipping on orders over $49.