DIY Natural Vapor Rub with Kid-Safe Version
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This Homemade Vapor Chest Rub is an affordable, easy recipe that's made with all natural ingredients.
It can help relieve discomfort associated with stuffy noses, coughs, and chest congestion, so you and your family can feel better fast and everyone can get a better night's sleep.
Also, I've put together a child-safe version so you can have confidence you're using a product that's gentler for young children when used properly.
Most of us remember the soothing smell of Vicks from when mom brought it out during cold and flu season. The menthol scent basically kind of makes you feel better just smelling it.
What you might not know, however, is that the ingredients in commercial vapor rubs, while not super toxic, are not the best.
Thankfully, this homemade vapor rub recipe works just as well as “the real thing” and it's made with only 100% clean ingredients.
Making your own natural products is great since you can customize them as needed while choosing better options for ingredients than what's used in most over the counter products.
Our DIY Chest Rub Experience
One night, our youngest son's nose was completely stuffed up. It was allergy season, so a bit of sniffling was normal, but a fully-clogged nose was not.
He was pretty miserable.
I reached for my trusted saline nasal spray and encouraged lots of nose blowing, but he still couldn't breathe well.
I quickly experimented, whipped up a batch of this rub and put some on my son's chest.
About ten minutes later, he was asleep.
Is Vicks Vapor Rub Safe?
The truth is, store bought Vapor Rub isn't great, but it's not worthy of a hazmat suit either.
Compared to spraying glyphosate on your weeds (that's been heavily linked to cancer) and using perfume-laden products Vicks Vapor Rub isn't that bad.
For example, one blogger refers to Vicks as “deadly vapor rub”, but really that's just way too harsh.
However, here are some ingredients in Vicks you might want to avoid by making your own homemade vapor rub instead.
Petrolatum – Derived from petroleum, which is known to be often contaminated with PAHs, which have been classified by the European Union as a carcinogen and are also linked to skin irritation and allergies.
Synthetic Essential Oils – Vicks clearly states that the camphor oil in their product is synthetic. While they claim it's just as effective as natural camphor, it's still, in my opinion, best to avoid that and use pure essential oils instead.
Ingredients
Here's a basic list of the simple ingredients used for this DIY Chest Rub. For the full details and measurements, see the recipe card below.
- carrier oil
- eucalyptus essential oil
- peppermint essential oil
- lavender essential oil
- rosemary essential oil
- tea tree essential oil
- beeswax (optional)
Instructions
Following are the basic instructions for making this chest rub. For more detailed information, see the recipe card below.
Melt the carrier oil, if needed.
Add essential oils and optional beeswax, and stir.
Store in a glass container.
Menthol Crystals and Camphor Oil
While I don't use them in this formula, there are some posts about DIY vapor rubs out there recommending the use of menthol crystals and camphor oil. While you can of course use either of these in your rub, here are a few things to consider.
Menthol crystals are very intense and some people have reported discomfort while using them. If you choose to try them, you would only need to use about 1/8 teaspoon of crystals for this formula. A little bit really goes a long way.
Note that camphor is toxic. Though it's truly only toxic in large amounts, it's still best to use caution, especially with children. You can read more about camphor toxicity here.
How to Use
Of course the typical use for a chest rub is–on your chest! Pretty clever, huh?
It's great to keep in your natural medicine cabinet to help open airways, address and more. However, vapor rub is also known for helping with sore muscles and joint pain, and even more. See this post for more alternative uses for vapor rub.
How to Make a Kid-Safe Chest Rub
Since you're likely going to be using this DIY chest rub on kids, it's crucial to know the following safety information about essential oils use for kids.
The type and concentration of the oils used makes a lot of difference.
Eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary are well known for respiratory support, but you have to be very careful using these around young children.
Eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint all contain 1,8, cineole, which can sometimes cause problems with the temperature receptors in kids' lungs leading to breathing difficulties. I could get into a lot more details, but here's some basic information.
Rosemary, isn't recommended for kids under 10.
Most forms of eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus and eucalyptus radiata) aren't considered to be safe for kids, however Eucalyptus Dives is fine, but is harder to find.
Peppermint is also problematic for the above reasons.
Thankfully there are other oils that support respiratory function that can be used for kids, some of which are lavender and lemon. I provided a kid-safe option in the recipe card, but you can make your own knowing the following basic math details.
There are 295 drops in a tablespoon. 3 drops of an essential oil in 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil (replacing the carrier oil) would be a 1% dilution. 6 drops would be a 2% dilution, and so on)
Here are the safe dilution details for different age groups.
Ages 2-5: 1%. Can use up to 3% for short periods of time
Ages 6-9: 2-3%. Can use up to 6% for short periods
Under Age 2: Diffuse only
Best Essential Oils for Vapor Rub
For adults, common options include eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, and tea tree. For kids, I prefer gentler oils like lavender, frankincense, lemon, and tea tree in a very low dilution.
Homemade Vapor Rub with Kid-safe Options
Equipment
- Small Jars
- Small Pan for heating
- stainless steel bowl
Ingredients
Older Child / Adult Version
- ⅛ cup coconut oil (see notes for alternatives)
- 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil
- 1/2 tablespoon beeswax (optional)
Kid-Safe Version (Ages 2+)
- ⅛ cup coconut oil (or other carrier oil)
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 drop frankincense essential oil
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
- 1 drop tea tree essential oil (optional)
- ½ tablespoon beeswax (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the coconut oil (or other solid carrier oil) in a small pan over low heat, if needed. If using shea butter, use a double boiler or alternative.
- Heat until just melted, then remove from heat.
- Allow mixture to cool for about 5 minutes so that it's still liquid, but not as warm. This will allow you to blend the essential oils into the mixture without damaging the oils' healing qualities.
- If using beeswax, stir into the rub after removing from heat.
- Add essential oils and blend well.
- Pour blend into a small glass jar.
- To use, rub mixture on chest or wherever needed.
- Store closed jar in a dark, cool place for up to 1 year.
Notes
- Essential Oil Safety: For children, always use essential oils with caution and proper dilution. This recipe includes a gentler version suitable for ages 2+, but avoid applying near the face, nose, or mouth. For children under 2, do not apply essential oils directly to the skin unless advised by a qualified professional.
- Dilution Guidelines: This recipe uses about 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. For a milder, kid-safe version, use fewer total drops of essential oil. Lower dilution is best for children, especially for short-term use.
- Kid-Safe Oils: Some essential oils commonly used for respiratory support—such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary—can be too strong for young children. For a gentler option, stick with oils like lavender, frankincense, lemon, and tea tree in small amounts.
- Texture Tips: Beeswax is optional but helps create a thicker, more traditional vapor rub texture. Without it, the mixture will remain softer and more like a balm.
- Storage: Store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place for up to 6–12 months.
I'd love to hear how this works for you!
I mean more organic in the fact that they are not diluted by other things. I was buying some “essential oils” from a local retailer and found out that they had other things mixed in and they were not pure essential oils, I have also found this with some online companies as well.
Gotcha. Just making sure we’re on the same page. I think if you check out my post on oils you will see that there are some concerns raised about their distillation methods. You might find it interesting and I’d love to know what you think.
I read recently to find out if a EO has any fillers added to the oil, put a drop on a piece of paper. Wait a hour or two. If there’s any oil marks on the paper you’ll know that there’s “something” added to the oil and it’s not “pure”. This test would be for single oils only, as blends may have coconut or some other oil added to the mixture. I tried it with my Young Living Peppermint and Orange and there was no markings left on the paper. Now, I need to try it on the health store (stinky) Peppermint oil that I bought just for comparison.
I heard that from several sources, but the owner of Native American Nutritionals (the company I am recommending for oils) says it isn’t true. He said a carrier oil will show up but not the synthetic things they can put into oils.
I use DoTerra in my practice and personally. I love their oils compared to others that I have tried. They seem to be more organic and not diluted by other things!
Glad you like them. Why do you say they are organic. I haven’t heard too many claims about whether their oils are organic or not. Do you mena organically grown?
Use Young Living it’s better. Do Terra was started by people who left Young Living and started their own oils because Young Livings were to strong for them so they created Do Terra’s which are more diluted.
That’s not what I read about why the doTERRA folks left Young Living. May I ask where you read that?
Please be careful and check your ingredients on things! My husband recently died from kidney cancer and one of the causes is petroleum products. Vicks Vapor Rub has petroleum based ingredients in it. I am attemtpting to rid my home of anything that has or is petroleum based. Some folks think I’m a bit nuts, but from diagnosis to death was 6 months. Too many toxins going into our system unnecessarily, and my personal choice is to be healthier. Keep up the good work Adrienne!!
That is so interesting to me..just yesterday I shared a free Kindle book on Facebook and it said that petroleum jelly doesn’t go through the skin. Do you know any differently? Thanks.
Hi this might seem crazy but I was wondering is it possible to rub the Vicks vapor rub on your breast also cause being I’m a female I usually rub it at the top, in the middle and the bottom of my chest! But I usually feel like the cold is under my breast! Just wondering if u can let me know!
I don’t know…..I don’t know why not, but anyone else have an idea?
I hope you choose Youngliving!!!
Terpens are any class of natural product extract that has the correct molecular structure. Most plant extracts are terpentines. It doesnt mean the paint thinner. Eucalyptus oil containes terpenes as does most essential oils. Thanks for the recipe.
Source::double masters in natural products organic chemistry with research into oils and terpene extractions
I am not sure what you are referring to. This link to ingredients on Amazon shows that turpentine oil is in the Vapo Rub.
“Turpen”tine is okay to use. I grew up on a farm and anytime we got a sore place from a smashed thumb with a hammer or running into the footboard of a bed, Mom always doused it with turpentine. Does not get sore and does not burn. I and my brother and sister used it on our children and they are using on their children. I still use it today and people are amazed to learn. Make use you buy turpentiine and not mineral spirits. Petroleum jelly can penetrate the skin. The molecules are huge and takes a while to soak through. Essential oils can be combined with almond, coconut, olive oil, and will penetrate but will take longer and is messier. Putting oil on bottom of feet works because it is all related to the reflexology system of the body through the feet.
Gritman essential oils, out of Friendswood, Texas is very good. My choice for essential oils for more than 10 years.
Put the rub on feet! You will be surprised at how much better and faster it works than putting it on the chest or face!
Why is that – the pressure points? That’s crazy. 🙂
Google “Health Experiment: If you rub garlic on your foot can you taste it in your mouth later.”
I thought that the taste thing was the connection between the olfactory nerves in the nose and the nerves in your mouth. But if you can tell me otherwise I am all ears :).
Adrienne, the skin pores of your feet are the largest in your body, thus they are more efficient for getting rid of toxins but also to put “good” stuff back into your body 🙂
So is that the truth? Do you have documentation about that? I was looking for that just the other day.
I use YL oils and LOVE them! I have found significant differences between DoTerra, other essential oils I have purchased from natural food stores and Young Living oils. The efficacy and healing properties are completely different. I would love to discuss essential oils with you more if you are interested in my experiences.
Can you view my email address that I enter to comment on your blog?
Yes, I can, Nicole – thanks. I have already (well, still am) a YL distributor but thanks for the offer :-). I would still possibly be interested in hearing if you would like to email me – thanks!