It’s the return of cold and flu season, I know this because it has made its way to my home! Congestion, lethargy, maybe a headache, and the list of symptoms go on! The most annoying in my opinion is the dreaded cough. It just springs up on you when you least expect it, you could be mid sentence trying to have a normal conversation, or in the middle of chewing something (it doesn’t matter what because it’s not like you can taste it anyways), and just when you lay down for the night to catch some much needed z’s, you feel that tickle deep within your chest and you just know that it is going to be a long night. And when all of your symptoms are on their way out, guess who is still lingering around like that last party guest who just won’t leave? The dreaded cough!
There are many remedies that help with cough. Off the top of my head, honey has been shown to reduce night time coughing (Note: do not give honey to children younger than 1 year due to the risk of botulism), and steam inhalations work great to moisten the lungs. I was able to create a great chest rub that goes deep into the tissues below the skin to increase circulation and decrease any inflammation that could be the cause of irritation and cough. And I was able to do this with herbs from my kitchen! Here’s the why and how:
Castor Oil:
The oil is extracted from the seed of the castor plant (Ricinus Communis). It has been used for centuries due to its therapeutic properties than mainly stem from ricinoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid that mainly makes up the oil. It penetrates deep into tissues to increase circulation, promote elimination, and enhance healing. By increasing circulation it increases the mobility and overall effectiveness of white blood cells to better the immune system. Also, because of it’s anti-inflammatory abilities it works great when applied to injured muscles and arthritic joints. NOTE: Do not digest castor oil internally as it can be poisonous in certain doses.
Cayenne Pepper:
A very warming herb that works to increase circulation and clear out mucus and phlegm.
Ginger:
Also very warming, ginger stimulates circulation, and acts as a diaphoretic, meaning it makes you sweat, which is great for fevers.
Garlic:
Garlic is known for it’s antimicrobial abilities, which is great to have around when battling a cold or flu; it can handle bacteria, viruses and parasites. The volatile oils within garlic are excreted through the lungs, which make this herb very unique and perfect for respiratory infections.
Eucalyptus Oil:
Eucalyptus adds more antimicrobial fighting power and works as a decongestant when breathed in.
Now, lets get started!
Ingredients:
¼ Cup cold pressed Castor Oil
1 clove Garlic, crushed
½ Tablespoon fresh Ginger, grated
3-4 drops Eucalyptus oil
¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
There are many remedies that help with cough. Off the top of my head, honey has been shown to reduce night time coughing (Note: do not give honey to children younger than 1 year due to the risk of botulism), and steam inhalations work great to moisten the lungs. I was able to create a great chest rub that goes deep into the tissues below the skin to increase circulation and decrease any inflammation that could be the cause of irritation and cough. And I was able to do this with herbs from my kitchen! Here’s the why and how:
Castor Oil:
The oil is extracted from the seed of the castor plant (Ricinus Communis). It has been used for centuries due to its therapeutic properties than mainly stem from ricinoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid that mainly makes up the oil. It penetrates deep into tissues to increase circulation, promote elimination, and enhance healing. By increasing circulation it increases the mobility and overall effectiveness of white blood cells to better the immune system. Also, because of it’s anti-inflammatory abilities it works great when applied to injured muscles and arthritic joints. NOTE: Do not digest castor oil internally as it can be poisonous in certain doses.
Cayenne Pepper:
A very warming herb that works to increase circulation and clear out mucus and phlegm.
Ginger:
Also very warming, ginger stimulates circulation, and acts as a diaphoretic, meaning it makes you sweat, which is great for fevers.
Garlic:
Garlic is known for it’s antimicrobial abilities, which is great to have around when battling a cold or flu; it can handle bacteria, viruses and parasites. The volatile oils within garlic are excreted through the lungs, which make this herb very unique and perfect for respiratory infections.
Eucalyptus Oil:
Eucalyptus adds more antimicrobial fighting power and works as a decongestant when breathed in.
Now, lets get started!
Ingredients:
¼ Cup cold pressed Castor Oil
1 clove Garlic, crushed
½ Tablespoon fresh Ginger, grated
3-4 drops Eucalyptus oil
¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- Mix everything in a small jar with a tight fitting lid
- Rub onto chest
- Wear an old shirt over top as this is a pretty sticky mess and the castor oil can stain
- I like to put a hot water bottle on top of that as the added heat helps drive the castor oil deeper into the tissues below
- You can leave it on as you go to bed if you don’t mind the mess (maybe consider using old bed sheets for extra precaution), or leave it on for at least 30 minutes and then shower to wash it off
- Store excess in the fridge. There should be enough for a few applications.
I hope you have fun making this easy DIY chest rub. And I hope you start to feel better soon. Remember that if your cough persists after several weeks please seek medical attention from a licensed healthcare practitioner.
If you want more health tips and tricks please feel free to like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or sign up for my Monthly Newsletter for more health education!
If you want more health tips and tricks please feel free to like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or sign up for my Monthly Newsletter for more health education!
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031
Cayne E (1993) The Oil that Heals, a physician’s successes with castor oil treatments. A.R.E. Press.
Grady H (1998) Immunomodulation through castor oil packs. Journal of Naturopathic Medicine;7(1):84-89.
Hoffman D (2003) Medical Herbalism: the science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, Vermont
Klotter J (February/March 2003) Castor Oil Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031
Cayne E (1993) The Oil that Heals, a physician’s successes with castor oil treatments. A.R.E. Press.
Grady H (1998) Immunomodulation through castor oil packs. Journal of Naturopathic Medicine;7(1):84-89.
Hoffman D (2003) Medical Herbalism: the science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, Vermont
Klotter J (February/March 2003) Castor Oil Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
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