How to Make Eucalyptus-Peppermint Salve

It’s flu season again and my family has already passed around the first cold. I’m still recovering from it as I’m writing this, feeling a little sleep-deprived after struggling through a night of congestion and a scratchy throat. My little ones have a hard time when their noses are stuffed up, so I do what I can to make their breathing easier. Vapour rub is one option, but I find it can be a little overwhelming for them, so I have opted to make my own. It’s a Eucalyptus and Peppermint Salve that I rub on their chest, and it takes mere minutes to make. Read on to learn more about these amazing medicinal herbs!

Benefits of Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil has a wide range of applications, but I will be focusing on respiratory support, pain relief, and its anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects.

If you’ve ever smelled eucalyptus oil then you are aware of its decongestant properties. Eucalyptus has the ability to open the airways making breathing easier. This is due to a compound known as eucalyptol which helps break down mucous, relieving congestion so you can sleep easier through the night.

Eucalyptol also works as a cough suppressant. Aside from thinning out mucous, its anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling in the airways which not only makes it easier to breathe, but curtails the need to cough. In addition to thinning thick mucous, eucalyptol loosens it, making it easier to expel from the lungs. Eucalyptus oil is an excellent herbal treatment for a variety of respiratory issues.

Another amazing property of eucalyptol is its analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. A clinical trial found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who inhaled eucalyptus oil for 5 minutes 3 times a day for a month reported less pain than those in the control group.¹ Applying eucalyptus oil topically in a carrier oil (or salve) can also be used to relieve sore muscles and joints.

Eucalyptus is also antibacterial and antiviral, making it ideal for applying to wounds. Dabbing a little eucalyptus salve to a minor cut will promote healing and help prevent infection. Its antiviral properties will help clear up viral infections such as cold sores.

Benefits of Peppermint

Like eucalyptus, peppermint has a host of medicinal qualities, many of which are related to eucalyptus’s.

Firstly, peppermint is a natural decongestant and expectorant, which, as mentioned, helps clear the airways and loosens thick phlegm, making it easier to breathe.

Secondly, it has anti-viral properties which means it can help combat cold and flu infections, among others.

Thirdly, the anti-inflammatory and cooling effects of peppermint can reduce muscle and joint pain. It’s a natural analgesic when applied topically.

Lastly, the antimicrobial properties of peppermint make it effective in preventing infection in minor wounds, and for clearing up acne. In addition, the menthol in peppermint reduces redness and inflammation, and soothes irritated skin.

Uses for Eucalyptus and Peppermint Salve

This salve is a must for your natural medicine cabinet during flu season. Rubbing it on the chest and back provides relief from symptoms associated with respiratory ailments. These two powerhouse herbs ease breathing and make mucous easier to expel.

If you’re suffering from achy muscles or joint pain, then massaging this salve into problem areas will provide some relief. The eucalyptus and peppermint reduce inflammation and stimulate circulation which alleviates pain and encourages healing. The active compounds, eucalyptol and menthol, provide a cooling sensation that promotes relaxation, contributing to a greater sense of wellness.

This salve can also be applied to minor wounds to prevent infection and support healing. Remember to clean wounds thoroughly to prevent bacteria from being trapped by the salve and causing infection.

Because of the antiviral properties of eucalyptus and peppermint, this salve can be applied to cold sores to speed healing. Apply sparingly to avoid clogging the pores of the surrounding skin. If you’re prone to breakouts, use a non-comedogenic carrier oil to make the salve, such as sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil.

Tools Needed

• 1 or 2-ounce glass jars
• Double-boiler (or metal bowl and small pot)
• Liquid measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Metal spoon

How to Make Eucalyptus and Peppermint Salve

Add water to the bottom of a double-boiler (or small pot). Heat water to boiling.

Measure out olive oil into the top of the double-boiler/metal bowl.

Add beeswax pellets to olive oil. Stir with a clean metal spoon until the pellets have completely melted.

Once the mixture is uniform, carefully remove the top of the double boiler/metal bowl from the bottom pot, placing it on a heat-safe plate to cool for a couple of minutes.

After 2 minutes (don’t wait longer or else it will start to solidify) add the essential oils and mix thoroughly.

Transfer the liquid salve to clean glass jars and allow to cool before sealing with a lid.

Notes

• Store in a dark, cool place.
• This salve should last for up to 6 months.
• Remember to sterilize the jars before adding the salve to them. I usually pour boiling water into them and let them sit for 5 minutes.
• Do a patch test on the inner arm first. If sensitivity occurs, discontinue use.
• Eucalyptus and peppermint oils are quite strong. Apply sparingly on children.

1. Varkaneh ZK, Karampourian A, Oshvandi K, Basiri Z, Mohammadi Y. The effect of eucalyptus inhalation on pain and the quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2022 Aug 21;29:100976. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100976. PMID: 36060153; PMCID: PMC9428835. ↩︎