Camphor Chest Rub Recipe

Absorption Enhancement / Transdermal Delivery

This Camphor Chest Rub Recipe is like a homemade version of the vick’s brand rub. Adults, apply around neck and chest or on feet to help with congestion.

Camphor Chest Rub Recipe Ingredients

2 ounces of coconut oil
1 ounce of bee’s wax
10 drops of eucalyptus or niaouli EO
5 drops of white camphor EO
5 drops of peppermint EO

Camphor Chest Rub Recipe Instructions

Melt the coconut oil and beeswax in a pan or double boiler. Do not overheat. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Pour into container with lid. The salve will harden in less than an hour.
Use for chest congestion. May also be used as a soar muscle rub applied to local areas. These essential oils are not appropriate for young children, pregnant ladies, or those with certain medical conditions. Skin patch test and discontinue use if irritation occurs. In addition, choose white camphor over red and brown camphor which have more toxic constituents.

Camphor Chest Rub Recipe Research

Camphor, eucalyptus and menthol stimulate cold receptors in the nose to improve airflow. From: Burrow, A., Eccles, R., & Jones, A. S. (1983). The effects of camphor, eucalyptus and menthol vapour on nasal resistance to airflow and nasal sensation. Acta oto-laryngologica, 96(1-2), 157-161.
In participants with the common cold who inhaled a mixture of aromatic vapors of eucalyptus, menthol, and camphor, breathing was improved. From: Cohen, B. M., & Dressier, W. E. (1982). Acute aromatics inhalation modifies the airways. Effects of the common cold. Respiration, 43(4), 285-293.
A peppermint lozenge improved airflow in those suffering from the common cold. From: ECCLES, R., JAWAD, M. S., & MORRIS, S. (1990). The effects of oral administration of (—)‐menthol on nasal resistance to airflow and nasal sensation of airflow in subjects suffering from nasal congestion associated with the common cold. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 42(9), 652-654.
Inhalation of a blend of aloe, coconut, orange, peppermint and Vitamin E. reduced inflammation associated with oxidant stress-related challenges to the nasal mucosa. From: Gao, M., Singh, A., Macri, K., Reynolds, C., Singhal, V., Biswal, S., & Spannhake, E. W. (2011). Antioxidant components of naturally-occurring oils exhibit marked anti-inflammatory activity in epithelial cells of the human upper respiratory system. Respiratory research, 12(1), 1.
A constituent isolated from peppermint helped alleviate the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis. From: Inoue, T., Sugimoto, Y., Masuda, H., & Kamei, C. (2002). Antiallergic effect of flavonoid glycosides obtained from Mentha piperita L. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 25(2), 256-259.
Stimulation by menthol of the major palatine nerve and its sensory nerve endings in the nasal mucosa increased nasal opening. From: Naito, K., Komori, M., Kondo, Y., Takeuchi, M., & Iwata, S. (1997). The effect of L-menthol stimulation of the major palatine nerve on subjective and objective nasal patency. Auris Nasus Larynx, 24(2), 159-162.
This article summarized the use of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, Origanum syriacum, Salvia fruticosa and Rosmarinus officinalis in treating respiratory ailments. From: Rakover, Y., Ben-Arye, E., & Goldstein, L. H. (2008). The treatment of respiratory ailments with essential oils of some aromatic medicinal plants. Harefuah, 147(10), 783-8.