Homemade Herb-infused Decongestant Chest Rub

An easy homemade herbal chest rub made with herb-infused sweet almond oil, eucalyptus, and beeswax. A lovely addition to your homemade natural care essentials.

Hello, homemaker!

I no longer buy salves and chest rubs from the store. I've learned to make them myself using simple ingredients like dried herbs from my garden, natural oils, pure essential oils, and a little beeswax.

And I love it!

I've become a little obsessed with making homemade salves and balms lately. I love that I can make them in small batches, choose my own ingredients, and reuse the same little containers over and over again. Plus, they're surprisingly easy to make!

With cold and flu season coming up, I thought it was the perfect time to make another herbal preparation for our home: homemade herbal decongestant chest rub.

I've been incorporating this homemade herbal chest rub into our bedtime routine. I love its comforting herbal aroma, and my son loves its soothing effect of this rub on his chest before settling for the night.

For this recipe, I'm infusing sweet almond oil with dried rosemary, oregano, and peppermint from my garden, then combining it with a little eucalyptus essential oil and beeswax.

It's simple to make, smells wonderfully herbal, and doesn't require a long list of ingredients. I also love that I'm putting herbs from my own garden to good use!

This is Project #78 in my 100 Homemade Projects in 1 Year Series, where I'm learning to make more of the everyday things we usually buy from the store. And honestly, making herbal salves has become one of my favorite homemaking skills so far!

---

Why Make Your Own Herbal Chest Rub?

One of the reasons I started making my own everyday products was to learn how they're made.

I used to think making salves was complicated. But after making my first peppermint salve, I realized the process was actually quite simple.

You're essentially combining oils with beeswax to create a soft, spreadable balm.

And once you learn the basic method, you can experiment with different herb-infused oils for different homemade skincare products.

Here are a few reasons why I enjoy making this chest rub or balm.

• I know what goes into them. I get to choose the carrier oils, herbs, and other ingredients instead of buying a premade product.
• They're economical. A little beeswax and oil can make several small jars of balm.
• I am sure there's no synthetic fragrance oil in it.
• It's another useful skill. Learning to infuse oils and make salves has opened the door to so many homemade projects.
• I can make small batches. I don't have to make more than my family will reasonably use.

Ingredients for Homemade Herbal Chest RuB

The nice thing about this recipe is that it uses simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen or among your homemade skincare supplies.

I grow several herbs in my garden, and one of my favorite things to do is harvest and dry them for later use. I love knowing that the herbs I grow can be used for more than just cooking. t's another little way I can make the most of what I grow and rely a little less on store-bought products.

---

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is the main carrier oil for this recipe.

It's a lovely, lightweight oil that's commonly used in homemade lotions, massage oils, and salves.

I like using it because it spreads easily on the skin without feeling too heavy.

It also makes a wonderful base for infusing dried herbs.

If you have an almond allergy, choose a suitable alternative carrier oil. My other choice would be avocado oil as it's also lightweight. Other options are olive, coconut, grapeseed, castor, argan and sunflower.

Dried Rosemary

Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs to keep at home, both for cooking and homemade herbal projects.

It has a wonderfully fresh, earthy aroma that works beautifully in herbal oil infusions.

Dried Oregano

Most of us probably think of oregano as something we sprinkle over pizza or add to pasta sauce.

But oregano also has a long history of traditional herbal use.

It has a strong, distinct herbal fragrance that pairs well with rosemary.

For this recipe, I'm using dried oregano leaves from my garden, not oregano essential oil, which is much more concentrated and can irritate the skin.

Dried Peppermint

Peppermint gives this herbal infusion its familiar fresh, minty scent. Peppermint contains menthol, which creates a cooling sensation that can make breathing feel easier. 

I love the aroma, especially when combined with rosemary.

Dried peppermint leaves are much less concentrated than pure peppermint essential oil.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

I originally wanted to use dried eucalyptus leaves to infuse my carrier oil, just like I did with the other herbs. Unfortunately, I don't have any eucalyptus leaves on hand, so I decided to use eucalyptus essential oil instead.

Eucalyptus has long been used in traditional herbal preparations for respiratory comfort. It contains a natural compound called eucalyptol, which has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Its fresh, invigorating aroma is also one of the reasons it's commonly found in commercial chest rubs.

Just keep in mind that eucalyptus essential oil is highly concentrated. It can also be unsafe for young children, so check with your child's pediatrician before using it in a chest rub.

This is the eucalyptus essential oil I use and love for balms or salves.

OPTIONAL: PEPPERMINT Essential OiL

I wanted my chest rub to have a stronger, more refreshing aroma, so I added a little peppermint essential oil. I also love the cooling sensation that peppermint provides. Its menthol content can make breathing feel easier when you have a stuffy nose.

This is the peppermint essential oil I use and love for balms or salves.

Beeswax

Beeswax is what transforms our herb-infused oils into a beautiful, spreadable balm.

Without it, we'd just have an herbal massage oil.

A little beeswax gives the rub enough structure to stay in a jar while still being soft enough to scoop out and massage onto the skin.

---

Homemade Herbal Chest Rub Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup sweet almond oil
• ¼ cup dried herbs - I used dried rosemary, oregano and peppermint.
• 2 teaspoons beeswax pellets, approximately 5 grams
• Eucalyptus essential Oil - 15-20 drops
• Peppermint essential oil- 15-20 drops

Equipment

Double Boiler – If you don't have a double boiler, you can easily make your own using a heat-safe mason jar and a saucepan. Simply place the jar in a saucepan with a few inches of water and heat gently.

---

Instructions

Step 1: Infuse the Sweet Almond Oil Using the Double Boiler Method

Place the completely dried rosemary, oregano, and peppermint in a clean, thoroughly dry mason jar. Pour in the sweet almond oil, making sure the herbs are fully submerged.

Place the jar in a saucepan with a few inches of water to create a makeshift double boiler. Heat gently over low heat for at least 2 hours, keeping the oil warm but not boiling. Add more water to the saucepan as needed, making sure no water gets into the oil.

Once the herbs have infused into the oil, remove the jar from the heat and allow it to cool slightly before straining.

If you're using a regular double boiler, simply combine the dried herbs and sweet almond oil in the upper container and follow the same process.

Step 2: Strain the oil.

Once infused, pour the oil through a fine strainer to remove all the plant material. Use a completely dry container to catch the oil.

Step 3: Melt the beeswax.

Combine the infused sweet almond oil, and beeswax in the double boiler or mason jar.

Gently heat the oil and beeswax, keeping water and steam out of the oils.

Stir occasionally until the beeswax melts completely. Avoid overheating.

Step 4: Pour into jars.

Carefully pour the melted mixture into clean, completely dry glass jars or small metal tins like these.

Allow the balm to cool until fully set before replacing the lids. Don't add water, fresh herbs, or other moisture-containing ingredients.

Step 5: Label and store.

Write the ingredients and preparation date on the container.

Before adult use, patch-test a small amount on intact skin and discontinue if any irritation develops.

---

How to Use This Herbal Chest Balm

I love how simple it is to incorporate homemade balms into our daily routines.

For adults, a small amount can be gently massaged onto intact skin on the upper chest. You can also rub a small amount in your hands and inhale the aroma.

The herbal aroma and the massage itself can feel comforting, particularly before bed.

Keep any chest balm away from the mouth, eyes, wounds, and irritated skin. Never ingest it or use it in a nebulizer or heated vaporizer.

Tips for Making Homemade Herbal Salves

After making a few different salves, I've learned several things that make the process a little easier.

• Always use thoroughly dried herbs. Fresh herbs introduce moisture into the oil, which can create storage and safety problems. Research-based extension guidance favors dried herbs for homemade infused oils. 

• Start with a small batch. A little salve goes a long way, and smaller batches are a good idea while you're learning how different oils and wax ratios behave.

• Adjust the beeswax for texture. If you prefer a firmer balm, increase the beeswax slightly next time. If you want something softer and easier to spread, use a little less.

• Label everything. I always recommend adding the date and ingredients, especially if you make several homemade skincare products.

How Long Does Homemade Chest Rub Last?

One of the things I enjoyed most about my first homemade peppermint salves was how long they lasted.

However, the shelf life of a homemade herbal balm depends on the freshness of the oils, dryness of the ingredients, preparation method, and storage conditions.

Because this recipe hasn't undergone preservation or stability testing, I wouldn't promise a specific multi-month shelf life.

Keep it in a cool, dark place, use clean and dry hands or a spatula, and discard it if you notice an unusual smell, discoloration, moisture, or other signs of deterioration.

Making small batches is a practical way to avoid waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use olive oil instead of sweet almond oil?

Yes. Olive oil can work as the main carrier oil, although it has a slightly heavier feel and a more noticeable aroma. It may also affect the final balm's texture.

Can I make the chest rub without eucalyptus?

Absolutely. You can replace the eucalyptus with other essential oils. However, I do recommend it for chest rubs because of its cooling effect.

Can I use fresh rosemary, oregano, or peppermint?

I recommend dried herbs only. Fresh herbs can introduce moisture, making homemade oil infusions more difficult to store safely.

Can this homemade chest rub clear a stuffy nose?

It hasn't been demonstrated that this recipe clears nasal obstruction. Minty aromas may feel refreshing, but that feeling isn't the same as opening blocked nasal passages.

Can I use this on my child?

Consult your child's pediatrician before using homemade herbal chest rubs. Even natural aromatic ingredients can irritate children's skin or airways.

Looking for More Homemade Ideas?

Feel free to browse around and get inspired!

Will I Make This Again?

Yes! I enjoy making herbal salves, and this is another homemade project that helps me practice a skill I've grown to love.

A year ago, I probably wouldn't have thought about infusing herbs into oil and turning them into a balm. I would have simply bought another jar from the store.

Now, I enjoy experimenting with different herbs, learning about their properties, and making simple products for our home.

What I love most is knowing how to make these things myself.

Of course, I also know that homemade herbal products have limitations, especially when it comes to treating health problems. For me, this particular balm is more about enjoying a comforting herbal massage than replacing medication or treatments.

If you're interested in making more of your own everyday essentials, be sure to check out my other homemade skincare and natural living projects here at Joys of Homemaking.

Happy homemaking!