Make DIY balm for cold and flu at home!

This homemade cough and cold ointment can be made with easily available ingredients.

Winter is here and so is the season for cold and flu. Expect a runny nose and sore throat to be knocking your door anytime soon. Balms are the go-to solution for people affected by cold or cough. It is applied to the chest, back and throat during common cold for relief from the congestion of mucus and cough in the chest. Balms are also known to open blocked nostrils and relieve minor aches in the muscles and joints. It is mostly applied before hitting the sack for a good sleep that seems impossible when you are suffering from a cough or cold. However, it is always safer to use remedies made at home. For cough and cold, homemade balms are very easy to make with easily available ingredients that have been proven to be great for cough and cold. Here's a quick recipe for a safe and effective homemade balm.

Here are the things you'll need:

• 1 small cup of coconut oil
• 3 tbsp of beeswax pastilles
• 15 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 20 drops of peppermint oil
• 10 drops of lemon essential oil
• 10 drops of Cinnamon essential oil
• A container to store the balm

(The essential oils used are known to have amazing effects on cold and flu and are also proven to be a safe option for aromatherapy)

Directions:

1. Take a double boiler and melt the beeswax pastilles. You can also microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Remove it from the double boiler and let it cool a bit.

2. Mix coconut oil and the essential oils to the molten beeswax.

3 Stir until the mixture becomes clear and you can smell right.

3. Pour the mixture into the glass jar.

4. Let the mixture cool completely (1 2 hours) before applying.

The mixture will have a creamy texture and will be very easy to apply. Would you try making it at home? Tell us in the comment section below.

References:

[1] Gardiner, P. (2000). Peppermint (Mentha piperita). The Center for Holistic Education and Research. Revised May, 2, 1-22.

[2] Shaw, P. E. (1979). Review of quantitative analyses of citrus essential oils. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 27(2), 246-257.

[3] Worwood, V. A. (2012). The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Over 600 Natural, Non-Toxic and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health Beauty a Safe Home Environment. New world library.

[4] Sandhu, D. S., & Heinrich, M. (2005). The use of health foods, spices and other botanicals in the Sikh community in London. Phytotherapy Research, 19(7), 633-642.

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