DIY How to make your own decongestant/vapor rub

I have been a vapor rub addict ever since my childhood. When the eucalyptus/Wintergreen oils are very strong and can be difficult on a sensitive skin vapor rub is just perfect!

But just a look at the ingredients on any popular brand lists petroleum jelly as a base or key ingredient.

The very thought of applying anything related to petrol on skin is just disgusting, Also it clogs the pores and hence not great for skin as well.

So here is a recipe for an all natural, preservative free decongestant/Vapor rub.

Vapor rub

List of Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoon(5ml) of beeswax
• 4 teaspoon of the oils, I used a blend of olive oil* and almond oil in 1:1 ratio
• 1 drop of neem oil(optional)
• 3 drops of Vitamin E oil
• 10 drops of winter green oil
• 10 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 5 drops of clove essential oil *(optional)
• 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops of camphor essential oil 

How to:

1. Set up  a double boiler with clean sterilized bowl on top of it preferably stainless steel/ glass.
2. Now add beeswax, olive oil and almond oil and allow them to blend and melt. Then take it out and allow to cool but not solidify
3. Once cooled but still in semi-liquid state add all the essential oils and blend
4. Allow it to solidify and your own vapor-rub/decongestant is ready!!                                   

*Use caution when using clove oil on pregnant women/Children.

Tulsi/Basil Infused oil DIY

Tulsi also known as basil, In India it is considered very holy.It is also known for a lot of medicinal properties.You can find more about it's properties here.

Tulsi is also know for skin care properties, So this post is about using it to create a light essential oil at home.

©NaturalOrganicandHappy

Steps:
1. Get about 2-3 bunches of tulsi, wash and allow it to dry, preferably in sun for 2-3 hours.
2. Now crush them so that the juice is out and the pleasant aroma spreads.
3. Use any of the base oils which does not have strong smell of its own, Like sunflower oil, coconut oil, olive oil etc. Given the availability and fresheness in India, I have always prefered coconut oil.
You can add about 150ml of oil.
4. Now there are two ways, one is double boiler method. which is explained here , or there is a simpler way where you add crushed tulsi leaves to your base oil, and boil the mixture, but here you have to be careful and remove it when the fumes just starts coming.
5. At this time you can add a little bit of pacha karpoora(edible camphor which you can get in pooja stores).
6. The color of the oil is light green , this is not as strong as store bought essential oil, but it is very pure as done by you, also the cost to make this is fraction of store bought one's.

This oil is very good for skin irritation or to give general glow especially for dry skin, Also the aroma is very soothing you can give yourself a massage after a long workday to alleviate stress,I added  Pacha karpoora because it reduced body/muscle ache. It is an absolutely delightful treat you can give youself.