“Homemade Herbal Care: Make Your Own Vapor Rub, Liniment, and Healing Balms”

Are You looking for practical DIY recipes for vapor rub, liniment oil, healing balm, massage oil, and pain relief balm? I’ll share safe and effective herbal/natural recipes with ingredients that are commonly available in the Philippines (like coconut oil, ginger, eucalyptus, etc.).

🌿 1. HOMEMADE VAPOR RUB 

Good for colds, cough, and congestion

Ingredients:

½ cup virgin coconut oil (VCO) or olive oil

2 tbsp beeswax pellets (for a firmer balm)

10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

8 drops peppermint essential oil

6 drops tea tree oil

5 drops lavender oil

Steps:

1. Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat, let cool slightly.

3. Stir in essential oils.

4. Pour into a clean jar or tin.

5. Let solidify before use.

🌿 2. LINIMENT OIL (WARMING HERBAL OIL)

For sore muscles, rheumatism, arthritis

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut oil (or sesame oil for extra warmth)

2 tbsp ginger root (sliced or grated)

1 tbsp chili or capsicum flakes (optional, strong heat)

2 tbsp fresh turmeric root (grated)

10 drops camphor or eucalyptus oil

Steps:

1. Warm the oil in a double boiler.

2. Add ginger, turmeric, and chili; simmer on very low heat for 1 hour.

3. Strain herbs out.

4. Add essential oils.

5. Store in a dark glass bottle.

6. Use a few drops for massage on sore areas.

🌿 3. HEALING BALM (CUTS, BURNS, SKIN IRRITATIONS)

Natural antiseptic balm

Ingredients:

½ cup coconut oil

2 tbsp beeswax

1 tbsp aloe vera gel (or infused oil)

1 tsp turmeric powder

10 drops tea tree oil

10 drops lavender oil

Optional: 1 tsp calendula oil

Steps:

1. Melt coconut oil and beeswax.

2. Stir in aloe vera, turmeric, and essential oils.

3. Pour into tins/jars and allow to set.

4. Apply thinly to cuts, burns, rashes.

🌿 4. MASSAGE OIL (RELAXING & NOURISHING)

Soothes stress, moisturizes skin

Ingredients:

½ cup sweet almond oil (or coconut oil)

¼ cup avocado oil (or olive oil)

10 drops lavender essential oil

5 drops ylang-ylang essential oil

5 drops chamomile or rosemary essential oil

Steps:

1. Mix oils in a clean glass bottle.

2. Shake well before use.

3. Use for full body massage.

🌿 5. PAIN RELIEF BALM 

For back pain, stiff neck, arthritis

Ingredients:

½ cup coconut oil

2 tbsp beeswax

1 tbsp cayenne powder (capsaicin – natural pain reliever)

1 tbsp ginger powder

10 drops peppermint oil

10 drops eucalyptus oil

5 drops clove oil

Steps:

1. Melt coconut oil with beeswax.

2. Add cayenne and ginger powders, mix well.

3. Strain if desired (or leave for stronger effect).

4. Stir in essential oils.

5. Pour into tins and cool.

⚠️ Caution: Avoid applying on broken skin or near eyes. Always do a patch test.

Skin Care Trio Recipe For Dry Skin

Here's a Skin Care Trio recipe specially formulated for dry skin. These three work together to cleanse, nourish, and seal in moisture — perfect as a gift set or personal care routine.

🌿 Dry Skin Care Trio Recipes 

 🧴 Massage Oil + 🧼 Gentle Soap + 🧈 Healing Balm

1️⃣ Deep Nourishing Massage Oil (100 ml)

Use: After bath/shower or before bed

Benefits: Hydrates, softens, calms itching

Ingredients:

40 ml Sweet Almond Oil

30 ml Avocado Oil

20 ml Olive Oil

10 ml Castor Oil

10 drops Lavender EO

8 drops Geranium EO

5 drops Chamomile EO

1 capsule Vitamin E oil

Instructions: Mix all oils in an amber bottle. Shake gently.

2️⃣ Moisturizing Soap for Dry Skin (500g batch)

Use: Daily cleansing

Benefits: Gently cleanses while retaining moisture

Base Oils:

250g Coconut Oil (cleansing & bubbly lather)

150g Olive Oil (gentle and moisturizing)

100g Avocado Oil (vitamin-rich)

1 tbsp Castor Oil (adds creaminess and moisture)

Additives:

2 tbsp Oatmeal powder (soothing)

2 tbsp Goat’s milk powder or coconut milk (hydrating)

10 drops Lavender EO

5 drops Chamomile EO

Lye and Water:

Approx. 66g NaOH + 150g distilled water (adjust based on soap calculator)

Instructions: Cold process method. Cure for 4–6 weeks.

 

Here are Precautions and Safety Tips for Beginners Making Cold Process Soap 🧼⚠️

Making cold process soap can be fun and rewarding, but it involves working with lye (sodium hydroxide), a caustic chemical that requires careful handling. Here are essential safety tips for beginners:

🛑 1. Always Wear Safety Gear

Gloves – Protects your skin from lye burns.

Goggles – Prevents splashes into your eyes.

Long sleeves & pants – Covers your skin from accidental splashes.

🌬️ 2. Work in a Well-Ventilated Area

Mixing lye and water produces fumes that can irritate the eyes and lungs.

Open windows or use a fan to ventilate the area.

⚗️ 3. Add Lye to Water – Never the Reverse!

Always pour lye into water slowly while stirring.

Never add water to lye — it can cause a violent reaction or explosion.

☠️ 4. Keep Lye Away from Children and Pets

Lye is highly dangerous. Store it securely and never leave it unattended.

🧯 5. Have Vinegar On Hand — But Know Its Limitations

Vinegar neutralizes lye spills on surfaces (not skin).

Do NOT apply vinegar to skin burns — rinse with cool water and seek medical help if needed.

📏 6. Use Accurate Digital Scales and Thermometers

Soap-making is a precise chemical process. Always measure ingredients accurately.

🧪 7. Use Lye-Safe Containers

Use heat-safe plastic, stainless steel, or tempered glass.

Never use aluminum—it reacts with lye.

🔬 8. Follow Trusted Recipes

Don’t guess ingredient amounts.

Use a lye calculator or follow a well-tested formula to avoid dangerous mistake.

🕒 9. Let Soap Cure Properly

Cold process soap needs to cure for 4–6 weeks to allow the lye to neutralize and moisture to evaporate.

Don’t use uncured soap—it can still be harsh or lye-heavy.

📚 10. Keep Learning

Watch tutorials, read blogs, join soap-making groups.

Knowledge improves safety and results!

3️⃣ Healing Balm for Dry Patches (50g jar)

Use: Elbows, hands, heels, dry face patches

Benefits: Seals in moisture and repairs cracked skin

Ingredients:

20g Shea Butter

10g Beeswax

10g Avocado Oil

5g Castor Oil

5g Olive Oil

5 drops Chamomile EO

5 drops Lavender EO

1 capsule Vitamin E oil

Instructions:

1. Melt shea butter, beeswax, and oils in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat, add essential oils and vitamin E.

3. Pour into sterilized jar. Let cool before sealing.