Essential Oil Remedy for Cold and Flu: Cold Rollerball Recipe to Support Immunity

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January 23, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 8 Comments

Tackle your cold and flu symptoms and get natural relief with this essential oil remedy for cold and flu. This easy cold rollerball recipe supports your body’s immunity. It can also help to soothe cold symptoms by offering congestion relief in addition to aiding focus and energy. (After all, we all feel run down when we’re sick!)

Aromatherapeutic Essential Oil Remedy for Cold and Flu

With cold and flu season especially bad this year, not to mention that new coronavirus now making rounds in the United States, I’ve taken extra steps to naturally support my body’s immunity. I’ve taken both elderberry syrup as well as fire cider preventatively, as well as to reduce symptoms when I do catch a cold. (There’s been some nasty illnesses being passed around here in Virginia. Luckily, I’ve managed to avoid catching the flu thus far.) While fire cider is pretty amazing at offering both immune support as well as relieving nasal congestion, occasionally you need a little extra boost. This is where aromatherapy steps in.

This easy 4-ingredient, aromatherapeutic cold and flu remedy essential oil blend recipe offers natural cold relief throughout the year. Simply mix the ingredients together in a rollerball bottle and apply to pulse points. Or use the essential oil blend for cold and flu in the recipe below in your diffuser for simple, natural cold relief.

Cold Rollerball Recipe: Easy Essential Oil Remedy

Ingredients:

1 drop Peppermint essential oil
1 drop Pine Scotch essential oil
3 drops Mandarin essential oil
10 mL fractionated coconut oil

Instructions for this essential oil remedy for cold & flu:

To make this easy essential oil remedy for cold and flu, add the essential oils to a 10 mL rollerball bottle using a dropper or pipette.

Then fill the remainder of the rollerball bottle with fractionated coconut oil.

Place the rollerball cap onto your bottle, then swirl the essential oils and fractionated coconut oil to mix.

How to use your cold rollerball recipe:

To use, simply apply this aromatherapeutic, essential oil remedy blend to pulse points for congestion relief, focus and energy.

You can also use this cold and flu essential oil blend, sans the fractionated coconut oil, as an essential oil diffuser cold remedy. Simply add a few drops to your diffuser for easy, hands off congestion relief for cold and flu symptoms.

This essential oil remedy for cold and flu and cold rollerball recipe is safe for kids ages ten and up. It has a shelf life of 2 years.

This easy cold rollerball recipe is just one of the amazing essential oil recipes that can be found in the monthly Simply Earth essential oil recipe box. However, you don’t need to be a subscriber to purchase their essential oils and essential oil blends. They even sell the other ingredients you need to make their amazing, essential oil recipes, including the fractionated coconut oil and rollerball bottle called for in this cold rollerball recipe.

Should you decide to subscribe, however, you’ll receive either the current monthly box (if it’s not sold out) or their awesome essential oil starter box. Using coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE means you’ll also get a free bonus box along with a coupon for $40 off your next order of anything your heart desires. (I used mine to buy their sweet essential oil diffuser I’d been eyeing for some time.) Learn more here.

Yield: 1 - 10 mL rollerball bottle

Essential Oil Remedy for Colds

Tackle your cold symptoms and get natural relief with this essential oil remedy for colds. This easy cold rollerball recipe supports your body's immunity.

Active Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

1 drop Peppermint essential oil
1 drop Pine Scotch essential oil
3 drops Mandarin essential oil
10 mL fractionated coconut oil

Tools

10 mL rollerball bottle
dropper

Instructions

Add the drops for each essential oil to a 10 mL rollerball bottle.
Fill the remainder of the rollerball bottle with fractionated coconut oil.
Place the rollerball cap onto your bottle, and swirl to mix.

Notes

To use, apply to pulse points for congestion relief, focus and energy.

Cold Rollerball Recipe to Support Immunity: Essential Oil Remedy for Cold and Flu.Tackle your cold and flu symptoms and get natural relief with this essential oil remedy for cold and flu. This easy cold rollerball recipe supports your body's immunity. It can also help to soothe cold symptoms by offering congestion relief in addition to aiding focus and energy. This easy 4-ingredient, aromatherapeutic cold and flu remedy essential oil blend recipe offers natural cold relief. #essentialoils

More Essential Oil Remedies for Colds and Flu to Support Immunity

If you like this essential oil remedy for colds and flu, then be sure to check out these other essential oil remedies for cold and flu season. You’ll just love these easy essential oil recipes that support health and wellness.

Cold Relief Bath Soak Recipe with Essential Oils
Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend for Cold Relief
DIY Shower Steamers with Menthol Crystals
Essential Oil Diffuser Blend for Colds and Flu

Other Cold and Flu Home Remedies to Try

While they don’t contain essential oils, here are some other wonderful, natural ways to fight colds and flu and support your body’s immunity.

How to Make Custom Herbal Tea Blends for Colds & Flu
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe for Immune Support
Fire Cider Vinegar Recipe for Natural Cold Relief
Cold Relief Bath Soak Recipe with Eucalyptus
Homemade Cold Remedy Drink Recipe with Ginger

If you like this essential oil remedy for cold and flu, be sure to pin it to Pinterest to save for later. You can also follow me on Pinterest for more great DIY ideas and other natural essential oil remedies.

Also, don’t forget to follow Soap Deli News on social media for more great health and wellness recipes & projects. You can find me on facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, cold relief, congestion relief, diffuser blends, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, flu, health and wellness, healthy living, winter

Simply Earth Essential Oils: A Review of Their Essential Oil Recipe Box

October 28, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

Curious about Simply Earth essential oils? If you’ve not tried them yet, here’s a breakdown of what to expect. Plus natural essential oil recipes and essential oil diffuser blends you can make using the Simply Earth essential oils in the Simply Earth essential oil recipe box.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Is the Bomb

The November Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Caught in the throes of either a) seasonal allergies gone array or b) a nasty cold virus that latched on during a night out, I’d been sniffling for a few days. I’d finally resolved with myself that I needed to do something other than take medication that simply masked my symptoms. And quite quickly scolded myself for not drinking apple cider vinegar shots sooner.

The second day on an ACV regimen and the crud that had been dripping down my throat simply stopped. While Umcka Cold + Flu helped relieve my other symptoms. It was the eucalyptus essential oil from the new Simply Earth box, however, that was my saving grace. Having run out of eucalyptus essential oil the last time I made DIY shower steamers, and my menthol crystals in hiding since another recent move, it made the perfect addition to my cold fighting arsenal.

Admittedly, I STILL do not have an essential oil diffuser. It’s on my list of things to buy. The problem, I get overwhelmed by reviews and I’m never certain I’m going to purchase the best one. Or at the very least the one that works and doesn’t break in the first week. So rather than add eucalyptus essential oil to a diffuser, I added a few drops to my morning shower each day. It really worked wonders at clearing out all the gunk that accumulated overnight in my nasal passages. And truly it was a godsend once I got a nosebleed. Saline spray, by the way, burns like hell in an open wound.

Simply Earth Essential Oils: The Breakdown

Luckily, Simply Earth sells a top rated contemporary and elegantly designed diffuser that’s on my must buy list. It combines the benefits of aromatherapy, aqua therapy and light therapy and it has a built in time as well. Not to mention, if you order their November essential oil box, you’ll not only get a free bonus box with all kinds of goodies you can use with your essential oils, but you also get a $40 off coupon for your next order. No restrictions. So you can literally turn right around and buy their diffuser at $40 off! (Just use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE.) Or, if you’re way ahead of the game, you can use it on anything else you like. Maybe the December box? Or ingredients for recipes? You can even use it to purchase those must have essential oils that are missing from your collection.

November Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box: What’s Inside

The November Simply Earth Essential Oils Recipe Box arrived with four essential oils: Eucalyptus essential oil, Cinnamon (Leaf) essential oil, Lime essential oil and a Tranquility essential oil blend. In addition to the four essential oils, the November box also contained a muslin bag, lavender buds, powdered whole milk and a sticker sheet to label your finished products. Six essential oil recipes are also included. There are recipes for making the following:

Oatmeal & Milk Bath Recipe
Tranquility & Lime Essential Oil Diffuser Blend Recipe
Chai Tea Bath Salts Recipe
Lavender Buds & Tranquility Milk Bath Recipe
Lime & Eucalyptus Roller Ball Essential Oil Blend Recipe
Eucalyptus Shower Steamers Recipe

My favorite essential oil in November’s Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box – aside from the eucalyptus – is definitely the Tranquility essential oil blend. This natural essential oil blend helps to calm and relieve anxiety. It’s made using a blend of lemon, patchouli, orange, amyris and ylang ylang essential oils. (You can explore the essential oil recipes for the Simply Earth Essential Oils November Box further down.)

$Simply Earth Essential Oils Bonus Box: What's Inside? Get a free Simply Earth Essential Oils Bonus Box with your first essential oil recipe box. Valued at $40, this box contains white cosmetic beeswax pellets, coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, almond oil, 6-10mL rollerball bottles and six amber essential oil bottles for mixing your own unique essential oil blends.$

The Simply Earth Bonus Box

If you’re brand new to Simply Earth, you’ll receive a free Simply Earth Essential Oils Bonus Box with your first essential oil recipe box. Valued at $40, this box contains white cosmetic beeswax pellets, coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, almond oil, 6-10mL rollerball bottles and six amber essential oil bottles for mixing your own unique essential oil blends. In addition, you’ll also receive a $40 off coupon with your first essential oil recipe box and the free Simply Earth bonus box! (Just use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE when you check out. Order yours now!)

Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipes

Once you receive the Simply Earth Essential Oils Recipe Box your all set to start making your own homemade skin care products and essential oil diffuser blends. While some boxes contain everything you need to make most of the recipes, others do require you purchase a few additional ingredients. To make all of the recipes found in the November essential oil recipe box, you will need to provide the following: baking soda, ground (or colloidal) oatmeal, Epsom salt, clove & anise spices and a cinnamon stick. Now let’s get crafty!

Lavender Buds & Tranquility Milk Bath Recipe

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons powdered whole milk
1 cup Epsom salt
1 tablespoon lavender buds
5 drops Simply Earth Tranquility essential oil blend

Instructions:

Grind the powdered milk, lavender buds and Epsom salt together in either a blender or coffee grinder.

Then pour the milk bath mixture into a sealable container.

Add the essential oils and mix together.

To use, simply pour the milk bath into a warm bath as it’s filling with water.

Oatmeal & Milk Bath Recipe

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons powdered whole milk
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons ground oatmeal
1 drop Simply Earth Eucalyptus essential oil
1 drop Simply Earth Cinnamon (Leaf) essential oil

Instructions:

Mix the powdered milk, baking soda and oatmeal together in a blender or coffee grinder.

Next, add the Simply Earth essential oils. Then mix the ingredients together again. (For gifting, simply combine the mixture in an empty tea bag.)

To use, pour the mixture into warm bath water as the tub is filling. Then relax and enjoy.

Chai Tea Bath Salts Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Epsom salt
1/4 cup ground oatmeal
1 teaspoon Clove spice
1 tablespoon Anise star spice
1 Cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
1 teaspoon almond oil
2 drops Simply Earth Cinnamon (Leaf) essential oil
1 muslin tea bag

Instructions:

Mix the Epsom salt, oatmeal and spices together in a small glass bowl. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix the cinnamon essential oil in with the almond oil.

Now add the dry mixture to the carrier and essential oil blend, mixing well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly incorporated throughout.

Pour the bath salts into a muslin tea bag, then tie closed.

To use the chai tea bath salts, place the bag to steep in the bathtub as it’s filling with water. Then sink in, relax and enjoy the aroma!

Lime & Eucalyptus Rollerball Bottle Essential Oil Blend Recipe

Ingredients:

3 drops Simply Earth Lime essential oil
3 drops Simply Earth Eucalyptus essential oil
10 mL fractionated coconut oil

Instructions:

Add the Simply Earth essential oils to a 10 mL rollerball bottle. Swirl to mix.

Then fill the bottle the rest of the way with the fractionated coconut oil.

Now firmly insert the rollerball top into the bottle and screw on the cap.

To use simply apply the essential oil blend to pulse points for energy, congestion relief and an uplifting aroma.

Eucalyptus Shower Steamers Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon lavender buds
5 drops Simply Earth Eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops Simply Earth Lime essential oil

Instructions:

In a glass bowl, heat the coconut oil just until melted. You can either use a double boiler or a microwave. (To heat in the microwave, heat in 10 second increments.)

Once melted, add the Simply Earth essential oils to the melted coconut oil and stir to combine.

Now add the baking soda and lavender buds to the melted coconut oil. Mix until crumbly.

Next, press the shower steamers mixture into an ice cube tray or a ice cube silicone mold.

Finally, allow the shower steamers to dry for 24 hours. Then release from the mold and store in a sealed container.

To use the eucalyptus shower steamers, simply place one shower steamer in the bottom of your shower. Then shower as normal.

Want a more advance shower steamers recipe? Then check out my DIY shower steamers with menthol & eucalyptus essential oil here.

Tranquility & Lime Essential Oil Diffuser Blend Recipe

Ingredients:

3 drops Simply Earth Tranquility essential oil blend
3 drops Simply Earth Lime essential oil

Instructions:

Add the Simply Earth essential oils to an essential oil diffuser.

Then diffuse in an open room for an energizing and refreshing aroma.

To create a master blend with these Simply Earth essential oils, add 50 drops of each essential oil to a 5 mL blend bottle (from the Simply Earth bonus box.)

Then add several drops to your diffuser as desired.

For a full break down on all the benefits of purchasing Simply Earth Essential Oils Recipe Box, be sure to check out my very first review of Simply Earth here. You can also explore past essential oil recipes from prior boxes including the pet care essential oil recipe, essential oil cleaning recipes and these essential oil health and wellness recipes. And don’t forget to pin this post for later to refer back to the recipes for Simply Earth essential oils! (Also don’t forget to order your Simply Earth Essential Oils Recipe Box now here using coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE.)

For more essential oil recipes and information on using essential oils, be sure to follow my Pinterest board: Essential Oils & Herbs for Health, Lifestyle and Beauty. You can also find and follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my newsletter.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, bath and body, bath salt recipe, bath salts, bath tutorial, diffuser blends, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, eucalyptus, healthy living, milk bath recipe, natural skin care, review, shower steamers, simply earth

Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend: Make A Homemade Vapor Rub Cold Remedy

October 12, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 8 Comments

Try this natural breathe easy essential oil blend recipe to make your own homemade vapor rub cold remedy for symptom relief from nasal and chest congestion. A simple and effective home remedy for fast cold relief when you’re fighting a cold or the flu.

How to Use An Aromatherapeutic Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend

When I get a cold, there’s nothing worse than not being able to breathe through my nose. While shower steams with menthol work wonders in the morning, taking a shower every time my nose gets stuffy isn’t a realistic option. Especially not at night when I’m trying to sleep. That’s when a breathe easy essential oil blend comes in handy. Whether you make your own breathe easy essential oil recipe or use a ready made breathe easy essential oil blend, you’ll be set for all the congestion challenges seasonal colds throw your way.

There are three easy ways to use the breathe easy essential oil blend. You can use your breathe easy essential oil blend in an essential oil diffuser at night or include it in an essential oil shower steamers recipe. Alternately, you can also use it in a simple remedy for homemade vapor rub. Keep reading to learn how to make a breathe easy essential oil recipe as well as where to buy a premade essential oil blend. Then try out your breathe easy essential oil blend in my simple (super easy!) homemade vapor rub cold remedy.

Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend Recipe

Support respiratory function and promote a healthy immune response with this natural breathe easy essential oil blend recipe. This natural plant-based blend can be used in your diffuser as well as in my homemade vapor rub recipe. Use it to support easy breathing, revitalization and clear airways throughout winter.

Combine in an amber glass jar with a reducer or glass dropper and shake to combine.

Alternately, if you prefer, you can buy this specific blend premade in order to avoid buying multiple essential oils from Edens Garden. Or try the Respire blend from Spark Naturals, which also contains tea tree and clove essential oils. Formulated with a combination of peppermint, melaleuca (tea tree), eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon and clove, this blends aids in relief of congestion and other respiratory symptoms caused by colds and flu.

Once you’ve made an essential oil blend to use for aromatherapy, you can use your formulation to create your own homemade vapor rub recipe as a natural cold relief remedy.

Homemade Vapor Rub Recipe for Nasal & Chest Congestion

Ingredients:

2 oz. beeswax pastilles or cera bellina wax (recommended)
4 oz. carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil
3 mL Respire or Breathe Easy essential oil blend (or .1 oz.)
.05 oz. menthol crystals

Instructions:

Using a digital scale, weigh out the beeswax. Place the beeswax in a double boiler and gently heat until melted. (Alternately, you may use cera bellina wax to give this homemade vapor rub recipe a gel-like texture! It’s such a seriously fun wax to play with.)

While the beeswax melts, weigh out the carrier oil into a separate container.

Next weigh out the menthol crystals. Add the menthol crystals to the container with the carrier oil. Stir until the menthol crystals dissolve.

Once dissolved, measure or weigh out the breathe easy essential oil blend. Then combine with the carrier oil and menthol mixture.

Once the beeswax has melted, remove from heat. Then stir in the carrier oil mixture with the menthol crystals and essential oils.

Now pour the homemade vapor rub into a 6 oz. glass jar or three 2 oz. glass jars. You can also use metal tins.

Allow the homemade vapor rub to cool completely, then screw on the lids and label as desired for personal use.

To use your homemade vapor rub as a natural remedy for fast cold relief, rub a thin layer on your chest or upper back at nighttime. It will help to soothe coughs and may also offer relief from nasal and chest congestion as well as sinus pressure and headaches.

Yield: 2 - 6 oz. jars.

Homemade Vapor Rub Recipe

Materials

2 oz. beeswax pastilles
4 oz. carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil
3 mL Respire or Breathe Easy essential oil blend (or .1 oz.)
.05 oz. menthol crystals

Instructions

Using a digital scale, weigh out the beeswax. Place the beeswax in a double boiler and gently heat until melted.

While the beeswax melts, weigh out the carrier oil into a separate container.

Next weigh out the menthol crystals. Add the menthol crystals to the container with the carrier oil. Stir until the menthol crystals dissolve.

Once dissolved, measure or weigh out the breathe easy essential oil blend. Then combine with the carrier oil and menthol mixture.

Once the beeswax has melted, remove from heat. Then stir in the carrier oil mixture with the menthol crystals and essential oils.

Now pour the homemade vapor rub into a 6 oz. glass jar or three 2 oz. glass jars. You can also use metal tins.

Allow the homemade vapor rub to cool completely, then screw on the lids and label as desired for personal use.

Breathe easy diffuser blend for colds. Try this natural breathe easy essential oil diffuser blend recipe in your essential oil diffuser to support respiratory function and promote a healthy immune response with this natural breathe easy essential oil blend recipe. This natural plant-based blend can be used in your diffuser as well as in my homemade vapor rub recipe. Use it to support easy breathing, revitalization and clear airways throughout winter.

Like this recipe? Then you’ll also want to try my recipes for DIY shower steamers with menthol crystals and a sickness support bath soak! As well as check out my post on other natural ways to fight colds and flu including how to make an elderberry syrup to support your body’s natural immunity. Plus don’t forget to pin this post for reference later!

Where can I buy homemade vapor rub?

Not ready to make your own homemade vapor rub from scratch? Try one of these artisan made, petroleum free cold and flu salves instead.

You can also explore more herbal home remedies here. Also be sure to check out my eucalyptus & orange essential oil blend recipe. It’s one of my favorite aromatherapeutic essential oil blends and has a number of uses for health, home and beauty. Or discover more DIY ideas by visiting my Essential Oils & Herbs board on Pinterest as well as my Home Remedies board.

Want more great ideas? Then be sure to follow Soap Deli News across your favorite social media channels. You can find and follow me on Blog Lovin‘, pinterest, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, cold relief, colds, diffuser blends, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, fall, flu, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, self care, vapor rub, winter

Aromatherapy for Sleep: 3 Ways to Make An Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe

August 13, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 10 Comments

Sometimes, falling asleep, much less getting a good night’s sleep can be a challenge. Without proper rest, however, we suffer not just physically but emotionally as well. Luckily there are ways to help combat sleeplessness and enable you to get a good night’s rest. By utilizing aromatherapy for sleep, you can promote a restful night’s sleep. Not only can my easy DIY aromatherapy sleep spray assist in helping you fall asleep faster, it may also help you sleep more soundly.

Trouble Sleeping?

Sleeping and night and getting a good night’s sleep are two entirely different things. As someone with fibromyalgia, my body definitely knows the difference. It also responds accordingly. Therefore, it’s important to me to get a restful sleep so I can function the next day. Sometimes, however, that can be a huge challenge. Not only do I wake to pee every two hours – a combination of age and fibro overstimulating those muscles – I’m also constantly dealing with a barge of emotional stress.

The current events as of late haven’t been pleasant. And trying to filter out that chaos with social media being what it is, has been a challenge. More recently, I found myself deeply affected by the mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso. The senselessness of the killings breaks my heart. It also leaves me a little terrified. I’m still freaked out knowing my son had just left UNC Charlotte campus the day that school shooting took place. I can’t imagine the struggle to move past that trauma as a survivor. And as someone who was previously diagnosed with agoraphobia, I have to consciously push myself to move past that fear and be present in the world, while also not allowing myself to be overwhelmed by the emotional toll we all feel from such tragedies.

Natural Aromatherapy Sleep Sprays

Luckily there are ways to make sure we get a restful sleep so we are better equipped to deal with chronic illnesses and day to day stressors. Whether you use essential oils in a diffuser, as an aromatherapy roll on or as a pillow spray, aromatherapy is a natural way to promote a good night’s sleep. And it can safely be used in conjunction with natural supplements or sleep aids if needed.

My essential oil aromatherapy sleep spray recipe is a natural way to promote rest and relaxation in order to help you fall asleep. Made with a blend of three essential oils – lavender, ylang ylang & vetiver – this DIY insomnia sleep spray is easy to make and simple to use. Simply mist the spray onto your pillow or bed linens prior to going to bed.

Following you’ll learn how to make you own natural sleep spray recipe using essential oils with three different ways to make it depending on whether or not you choose to use a preservative.

DIY Sleep Spray Formulation

Ingredients Used to Make a Sleep Spray

My insomnia sleep spray contains several key ingredients. These include rose water, an aromatherapeutic essential oil blend and polysorbate 20. The rose water, which can be substituted with distilled water if desired, adds its natural scent to the recipe. While the polysorbate 20 is an emulsifier used to bind oil and water together. It’s derived from the lauric acid found in coconut oil.

Sleep Spray Preservative Options

There are also two preservative options. One being Optiphen ND and the other ethanol or 100 proof vodka. Optiphen ND is a paraben- and formaldehyde-free preservative design for water-based recipes. It protects against mold and bacteria growth when incorporated homemade recipes for facial toners, room sprays and perfumes. You’ll find Optiphen ND works best in products with a pH of 6 and lower.

If you choose not to use a preservative you won’t be able to include any water in your sleep spray. However, I don’t recommend this option for a linen or pillow spray as it can stain linens and takes longer to dry. You can use this sleep spray recipe as a body spray though by reducing the amount of essential oils called for in my insomnia sleep spray recipe. You can find more information on making a body spray below.

Tips & Tricks for Essential Oil Measurements

Should you desire to scale any of my insomnia sleep spray recipes, there are some tips that make measuring out the essential oils easier. You can find these tips along with an essential oil conversion chart at Mountain Rose Herbs here.

Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe #1

Ingredients:

1.8 oz. rose water
2 oz. 91% (or higher) isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
.2 oz. polysorbate 20
.05 oz. Optiphen ND
48 drops vetiver essential oil
32 drops lavender essential oil
32 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Recipe Notes:

This insomnia pillow mist spray uses isopropyl alcohol, more commonly known as rubbing alcohol, to help the water evaporate more quickly. This will also help prevent your pillow sleep spray from staining linens. While it does have a strong alcohol smell when first sprayed, this scent of the rubbing alcohol fades quickly as it evaporates in the air. So you are left with only the fragrance of the insomnia essential oil blend. As rubbing alcohol is not a preservative, but a disinfectant, you should use a preservative to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Optiphen ND is recommended at a usage rate of 1% for this application.

Should you choose to use this recipe and omit the preservative, your formula will last up to one month when kept store in the refrigerator.

Instructions:

Using a digital scale weigh out the polysorbate 20 in a 250 mL glass beaker. Then use a dropper to add each of the essential oils to the polysorbate 20. Mix to combine.

Now weigh out the rose water and the rubbing alcohol. Pour the liquids into the polysorbate and essential oil blend. Mix well.

Finally, weigh out the Optiphen ND and stil into the sleep spray. Mix thoroughly. Then pour your sleep spray into a single, sterilized 4 oz. spray bottle or two 2 oz. containers with a fingertip mister.

Shake your insomnia sleep spray before each use, then mist onto pillows and bed linens before going to sleep.

Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe #2

Ingredients:

2 oz. rose water
1.8 oz. 100 proof vodka
.2 oz. vegetable glycerin (or polysorbate 20, as desired)
48 drops vetiver essential oil
32 drops lavender essential oil
32 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Recipe Notes:

This aromatherapy sleep spray recipe uses alcohol as a natural preservative. Like rubbing alcohol it helps the water evaporate more quickly. Unlike rubbing alcohol however,which can be drying to skin, vodka is not drying when used as part of a moisturizing base. It also acts as an emulsifier. This makes this recipe suitable as a body spray as well. To make a skin safe body spray, make the recipe as is, but reduce the amount of essential oils called for in the recipe by half.

As many of us don’t have access to ethanol, which is 200 proof, I formulated this insomnia sleep spray recipe using 100 proof vodka. If you have access to ethanol, you can substitute ethanol for the vodka. When doing so, increase the amount of rosewater in the recipe to 2.95 oz. and reduce the ethanol to .85 oz. (or 20% of the total recipe weight.) You can learn more about using alcohol as a preservative here.

Adding Magnesium Oil to Your Sleep Spray Recipe

If desired you can also add magnesium oil to your sleep spray when utilizing it as a body spray. To do this, you can either substitute the rosewater with ready made magnesium oil or make your own magnesium oil by adding magnesium flakes to the rosewater. If adding magnesium flakes to the rosewater, simply dissolve one Tablespoon magnesium flakes in the rosewater by mixing well. Then, with either option, reduce the essential oils to 24 drops vetiver essential oil and 16 drops each of lavender and ylang ylang. (Also be sure to try my magnesium body butter recipe to reduce the symptoms of restless leg syndrome and promote restful sleep.)

Instructions:

Using a digital scale weigh out the polysorbate 20 in a 250 mL glass beaker. Then use a dropper to add each of the essential oils to the polysorbate 20. Mix to combine.

Now weigh out the rose water and the vodka. Pour the liquids into the polysorbate and essential oil blend. Mix well.

Then pour your sleep spray into a single, sterilized 4 oz. spray bottle or two 2 oz. containers with a fingertip mister.

Shake your insomnia sleep spray before each use, then mist onto pillows and bed linens before going to sleep.

Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe #3:

Ingredients:

2 oz. jojoba oil, or other dry carrier oil
2 oz. cyclomethicone
24 drops vetiver essential oil
16 drops lavender essential oil
16 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Recipes Notes:

This recipe is designed to be used as an aromatherapeutic body spray. It is not recommended for use as a linen or pillow spray as it’s primarily oil based. As it doesn’t not contain water, there is no need to use a preservative for this body spray recipe.

Instructions:

You can use liquid measurements for this recipe. Simply measure out the jojoba oil and cyclomethicone and combine in a 250 mL glass beaker.

Then use a dropper to add each of the essential oils to body spray mixture. Mix well to combine.

Finally, pour your aromatherapeutic body spray into a single, sterilized 4 oz. spray bottle or two 2 oz. containers with a fingertip mister.

To use, simply shake your body spray before each use, then mist onto skin as desired, avoiding your face. (For a facial spray, the amount of essential oil called for in this recipe should be reduced by half.)

Once you’ve made your insomnia sleep sprays, you can easily decorate your bottles using scrapbook paper. (I like catching paper stacks when they’re on sale for $10!) Simply cut a sheet of decorative paper to fit your container. Then tape it to your spray bottle to secure it in place. (I used a strip of tape for each side of the paper.) Easy peasy!

Where to Buy Ready Made Sleep Sprays

If you’d like to try an aromatherapy sleep spray for your pillows and bed linens, but aren’t ready to make your own, there are a number of ready made options that you can purchase. This Sleepy Head Pillow Mist from Made By Coopers Apothecary is made with a calming blend of lavender essential oil and a soothing blend of chamomile and frankincense to help you de-stress and unwind. You can buy it here.

Or try one of these other natural essential oil sleep remedies to explore aromatherapy for sleep.

Alternately, you can purchase other natural remedies here. Or explore home remedies you can make yourself right here on Soap Deli News or via my Home Remedies Pinterest board.

You can also follow me across your favorite social media platforms for regular DIY ideas for soap, bath and beauty recipes you can craft at home. Follow me now via facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Information on products mentioned are based on my own personal experience and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult a physician prior to making any changes that may impact your health.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, lavender, natural, natural alternative, natural remedy, self care, sleep, vetiver essential oil, ylang ylang

DIY Shower Steamers Recipe with Menthol Crystals

August 1, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 10 Comments

Learn how to make DIY shower steamers with menthol crystals and eucalyptus essential oil as a natural home remedy for stuffy noses caused by colds, flu and seasonal allergies. Easy natural relief from congestion caused by colds or allergies, this easy shower steamer recipe is a must for back to school season. Learn more about this home remedy as well as the benefits of menthol crystals when used to promote health and wellness.

Shower Steamers for Natural Symptom Relief from Seasonal Allergies, Colds & Flu

My seasonal allergies have been terrible this year. I mean generally they aren’t great, but I’ve had to pull out the big guns recently. Meaning I stood in line at the actual pharmacy to buy Sudafed. Unfortunately that didn’t work quite as well as I’d hoped, being that it was a last resort. So I made DIY showers steamers with menthol crystals as a last ditch effort to avoid getting a sinus infection. And they worked great at easing my allergy symptoms by opening up my nasal passages so I could breathe better. Better than the Sudafed, in fact. They also conquered that irritating sinus headache I’d had for two days straight.

With back to school right around the corner, there’s really no better time to make your own DIY shower steamers. After all, if you have kids, you know that schools are a cesspool of germs and viruses. When my son started kindergarten I’d had him out of daycare for over year. He got community acquired pneumonia his first week. Of course, seeing as how he inherited my stubborn streak, he ran around like a little chicken with his head cut off anyway. It took two months for him to fully recover.

And of course there are the joys of sports practices. Whether my son was struggling through a cold, or suffering with seasonal allergies himself, I quickly learned that yes, all boys hock loogies the size of a small country.

No one wants to over medicate their kids if they don’t have to. After all, you want them to develop a healthy immune system while also avoiding the overuse of antibiotics. At the same time, however, you don’t want them to suffer either. It’s no fun struggling to breathe through your mouth or fight a sinus headache. Luckily, shower steamers with menthol crystals are a great natural remedy for chest and nasal congestion.

What Are Menthol Crystals?

Menthol crystals are derived from a species from the mint family known as mentha arvensis. These flowering plants, which are found in the mint family known as Lamiaceae, include corn mint, field mint and wild mint and contain the organic compound known as mentol. The menthol is extracted from the plant by freezing the essential oil of said plants, then removing the resulting menthol crystals through a filtering process.

Menthol crystals have a number of therapeutic properties that make them useful in aromatherapy as well as medicinal and cosmetic applications. The medicinal properties they are believed to exhibit make menthol crystals analgesic, anesthetic, antibacterial, cooling, circulation-stimulating, expectorant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, decongestant, antiemetic and antitussive. While cosmetically they offer antibacterial, invigorating, soothing, cooling, circulation-stimulating and skin plumping properties.

Due to their inherent chemical makeup, menthol crystals are a popular choice for a number of medicinal applications. You may be most familiar with menthol crystals from the over-the-counter product, Vicks VapoRub, in which they are a key component.

Benefits of Menthol Crystals in Shower Steamers

Menthol crystals have a number of benefits when used in aromatherapy. Whether you have a stuffy nose, chest congestion or even a sore throat, menthol crystals have been historically used in aromatherapy to relieve the symptoms of colds, flu and allergies. Not only do menthol crystals help promote easier breathing and offer temporary relief from nasal congestion, they can also be used to soothe sore throats, alleviate fever symptoms, coughs, headaches and sinus related discomfort. Additionally, their aromatherapeutic properties also support immunity and can help with nausea.

While menthol crystals also have a number of both cosmetic and hair care applications, for this purpose I chose to use menthol crystals as a key ingredient in DIY shower steamers. As, when used as a decongestant agent, menthol crystals in combination with eucalyptus essential oil, offer natural symptom relief from stuffy noses and sinus headaches.

Precautions for Using Menthol Crystals in Shower Steamers

It is important to note that menthol crystals are not recommend for use by children ages 7 and under. Likewise, if you are pregnant or nursing you should consult a physician before using menthol crystals. You should also seek out guidance from your doctor before use if you have cancer, heart-related ailments, skin disorders or hormone-related ailments. Additionally, do not use menthol crystals if you have an open wounds as high levels of absorption may be toxic and take care to keep menthol crystals out of contact with mucous membranes.

The maximum dilution rate for using menthol crystals is 5% in order to protect respiratory system and skin from any distress or discomfort.

How to Make DIY Shower Steamers

Made with menthol crystals and eucalyptus essential oil for their aromatherapeutic benefits, these easy DIY shower steamers are the perfect addition to your morning shower. Just take care not to mistake them for bath bombs. As soaking in a tub filled with menthol crystals is likely leave your lady parts in an overly frigid state.

You make shower steamers in much the same way you would make bath bombs. The main difference is, however, you don’t need additional dry ingredients in your shower steamer recipe aside from the baking soda and citric acid. Nor will you need to use more expensive oils or butters to bind these two ingredients together. As you aren’t soaking in a tub with your shower steamers, you can use an inexpensive carrier oil instead. Additionally, you’ll find that DIY shower steamers harden and dry out much faster than bath bombs as the menthol crystals recrystalize once the shower steamers are made.

Like bath bombs you are working with citric acid. Therefore you may want to use a face mask or respirator to avoid inhaling this ingredient should it become airborne. I also highly recommend wearing gloves to make your DIY shower steamers so you are able to protect your hands from the cooling action of the menthol crystals and eucalyptus essential oils.

You don’t necessarily need a bath bomb mold for this recipe. I used my favorite heavy duty round bath bomb molds to make my shower steamer with menthol crystals. However, as these mold rather easily, you can also use a meat baller for smaller sized shower steamers, or simply mold them into balls with your hands. Other than that, if you need additional tips on making shower steamers, you can find tips and tricks for molding and unmolding bath bombs here.

Shower Steamer Recipe with Menthol Crystals

Ingredients:

10 oz. baking soda
5 oz. citric acid
3 oz. carrier oil, such as sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil
.5 oz. eucalyptus essential oil
.5 oz. menthol crystals

Instructions:

Using a digital scale, weigh out the carrier into a small glass measuring cup. Then weigh out the menthol crystals. Add the menthol crystals to the container with the carrier oil, then stir until the crystals have dissolved. Then weigh out and mix in the eucalyptus essential oil. Set aside.

Next, weigh out the baking soda and citric acid into a large glass or ceramic bowl. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients together until they are evenly combined throughout.

Now pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, slowly mixing as you go. Mix thoroughly then use your hands, a meat baller or a bath bomb mold to form your shower steamers.

If using a round bath bomb mold, loosely pile the ingredients into each half of the mold. Then lightly pack. Follow with additional mixed ingredients, lightly tap down, then firmly press both sides of the bath bomb mold together. Then unmold your DIY shower steamers.

Repeat until all the ingredients from the shower steamer recipe have been used. Then set your finished shower steamers with menthol crystals aside for several hours, until dry.

Once dry, wrap your DIY shower steamers tightly in foodservice film or store in an airtight container until ready for use.

Shower Steamer Recipe with Menthol Crystals

Learn how to make DIY shower steamers with this easy 5-ingredient shower steamer recipe with menthol crystals & essential oils as a natural home remedy for stuffy noses caused by colds & seasonal allergies.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Materials

10 oz. baking soda
5 oz. citric acid
3 oz. carrier oil, of choice
.5 oz. eucalyptus essential oil
.5 oz. menthol crystals

Tools

digital scale
bath bomb mold or meat baller
large glass or ceramic bowl
glass Pyrex measuring cup
utensils for mixing

Instructions

Using a digital scale, weigh out the carrier into a small glass measuring cup. Then weigh out the menthol crystals. Add the menthol crystals to the container with the carrier oil, then stir until the crystals have dissolved. Then weigh out and mix in the eucalyptus essential oil. Set aside.
Next, weigh out the baking soda and citric acid into a large glass or ceramic bowl. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients together until they are evenly combined throughout.
Now pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, slowly mixing as you go. Mix thoroughly then use your hands, a meat baller or a bath bomb mold to form your shower steamers.
If using a round bath bomb mold, loosely pile the ingredients into each half of the mold. Then lightly pack. Follow with additional mixed ingredients, lightly tap down, then firmly press both sides of the bath bomb mold together. Then unmold your DIY shower steamers.
Repeat until all the ingredients from the shower steamer recipe have been used. Then set your finished shower steamers with menthol crystals aside for several hours, until dry.
Once dry, wrap your DIY shower steamers tightly in foodservice film or store in an airtight container until ready for use.

More Natural Remedies for Cold & Allergy Symptom Relief

If you’re looking for more natural alternative for symptom relief of cold and allergy symptoms, then try one of these natural remedies.

You can also explore more natural remedies on my natural health and wellness board on Pinterest as well as my home remedies Pinterest board.

If you like my DIY shower steamers, then be sure to pin my shower steamer recipe with menthol crystals for later. You can also follow me across your favorite social media platforms for regular DIY ideas for soap, bath and beauty recipes you can craft at home. Follow me now via facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Information on products mentioned are based on my own personal experience or research and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult a physician prior to making any changes that may impact your health.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness Tagged With: aromatherapy, bath bomb recipe, bath bombs, cold relief, colds, congestion, congestion relief, cough relief, essential oil recipes, essential oils, eucalyptus, flu, health, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, immunity, menthol crystals, natural, natural alternative, natural remedy, self care, shower steamers