My first cold of the season snuck up on me. Something about the change in seasons always disrupts my immune system, sending my allergies into overdrive. And there’s nothing worse than that stuffed-up, can’t-breathe, run-down feeling.
Sometimes if I catch it early enough I can keep the sickness at bay (or at least prevent a sinus infection). The choice between decongestants that wire you or antihistamines that turn you into a zombie makes it easy to look for alternatives.
Ideally, I’d soak in a long, hot bath and enjoy a long, restful sleep. That never happens.
Second best option: a shower that opens the sinuses and a simple chest rub that helps make the most of every minute of rest.
The best part? The fact that I can make this myself at home, so I know exactly what’s going in them (and can customize them to what I need!). These two are my symptom-relieving defenses against a stuffy nose and I can’t live without them.
DIY Vapor Shower Bombs
Supplies needed
Supplies needed- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1/3 cup water (enough to make paste)
- Essential oils (eucalyptus and peppermint)
- Mini muffin tin
- Foil muffin liners
Preheat oven to 325ห F. Line a mini-muffin tin with foil liners. Mix the baking soda and water together to form a thick paste, but not so thick that it’s not shapeable.. Pour by tablespoon into mini-muffin tin. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
To use, top disk with 10 drops of essential oil or blend of choice. Place on the shower floor, turn on the water and enjoy the vapors while showering. Obviously, this works best with a hot steamy shower to really get the vapors in the air to relieve your sinuses.
I like to make an emergency stash of these so they’re always on handโespecially when the seasons change. It’s so easy to go through these when everyone’s feeling under the weather!
When one person gets sick in the household, it’s only a matter of time before it goes around! These help to minimize everyone’s grumpiness and discomfort while they’re sickโand it goes a long way to helping you feel better.
DIY Vapor Chest Rub
Supplies needed
Supplies needed- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
To make, melt the coconut oil with the beeswax. (I use a Pyrex measuring cup heated in a saucepan with a couple of inches of water.) Let cool slightly and add essential oils, mixing them well. Pour into glass jar. Let it cool and solidify before using. Now, this stuff will last a long time, so it’s a good idea to label jars with the month and year!
To use, massage into chest, back and feet. This balm will comfort and relieve a stuffy nose, totally naturally. There’s not a lot of beeswax in the balm so it’s easy to warm and spread with your hands. Not recommended for use on children under 10 (source).
How do you survive cold season? Share your favorite remedy!
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