Along with festivities and cheer, the winter can also bring sickness, colds, and flu. Luckily there are many different herbs and essential oils you can use as natural remedies in your time of need. Making these products yourself can be fun and cost effective.
Infused Calendula Vapor Salve
You will need
- 4 oz dried calendula flowers (Calendula officianalis)
- 1 cup sweet almond oil (Prunus dolcis)
- 3/4 cup beeswax
- 1 1/2 tsp eucaly[tus oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
- 1/4 tsp pine oil (Pinus sylvestris)
- 1 tsp peppermint oil (Mentha x piperita)
Initially, you will combine the dried calendula flowers and sweet almond oil. You can do this by putting the mixture in a mason jar and allowing the sun to infuse the oil for about 3-4 weeks, or you can heat them on the stove over low heat for about an hour (a double boiler helps prevent burning). Then strain the flower particles from the oil and combine the infused oil with the beeswax on the stove, while constantly stirring the mixture. Remove from the heat, and the essential oils once the mixture can cooled to a warm temperature. At this time transfer the warm salve to a container of your choice, once it has cooled completely it is ready to be used. Apply generously to your chest when you are feeling the bugs come on!
Calendula – This herb comes from the dry flowers of an annual plant that is native to northern Mediterranean countries. It can be used for a variety of things, including fevers, cuts, and rashes.
Sweet Almond Oil – This carrier oil has a medium viscosity and a light sweet nutty aroma. Before using any carrier oils with nuts, make sure the receiver has no nut allergies.
Beeswax – This is a natural ingredient made by honey bees. It has some antimicrobial properties, but is used mostly as a thickening agent for aromatherapy.
Eucalyptus – This essential oil is steam-distilled from dried leaves and is know for it’s decongestant properties.
Peppermint – This oil is steam-distilled from the leaves of a dried perennial herb. It is very effective in treating colds and influenza, along with sinus infections and congestion.
Pine – Pine is obtained through steam-distillation of needles and branches of the scotch pine tree. It is anti-rheumatic and antiviral which makes it useful in treating colds along with asthma and bronchitis.
This salve has a strong menthol component which makes it very effective in the treatment of colds, sinus infections, and chest congestion.